Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossJune 29, 2015

With reaction continuing to pour in after the Friday Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, Jacksonville LGBT activists say they’re ready to take another crack at updating the city’s human rights ordinance. “We’re trying again,” says Jacksonville attorney and activist Jimmy Midyette, who chairs the Northeast Florida LGBT Leadership PAC, and thinks the climate is now a […]

Mitch PerryJune 4, 2015

Good morning, everybody. Props to the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald for their world exclusive giving us the date when Jeb Bush finally ends his “exploring the waters” phase and officially enters the GOP presidential race: June 15. Meanwhile, Lincoln Chafee announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination Wednesday and Rick Perry will later Thursday, if […]

Mitch PerryJune 3, 2015

Although same-sex marriage became legal in Florida in January, Attorney General Pam Bondi has continued to defend the state’s 2008 constitutional ban, saying it’s her job to defend the Florida Constitution, “whether or not I agree with it.” Supporters of Florida’s same-sex marriage ban remain hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court will support the state’s […]

Mitch PerryMay 27, 2015

The consensus amongst political pundits in Florida is that state Republicans won’t be hurt by the budget impasse that led the Legislature to break three days early last month. Those observers, though, acknowledge it could make a difference on the margins, in those few swing legislative districts across the state. One is House District 63, occupied […]

Mitch PerryMay 8, 2015

Ever since Ed Homan was termed-out of his House District 60 seat in North Tampa in 2010, it’s bounced back and forth in terms of political affiliation over the three subsequent elections. Republican Shawn Harrison won in the big Republican years of 2010 and 2014, and Democrat Mark Danish took it in 2012, the same year […]

Melissa RossMay 4, 2015

As early voting gets under way in Duval County, the Orlando-based Florida Family Action PAC has sent out a voter guide advising socially conservative residents as they to go the polls to choose a new Jacksonville City Council. “These City Council candidates OPPOSE granting special rights based on ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ and SUPPORT […]

Mitch PerryApril 24, 2015

Running for president means sometimes having to alter your brand, and sometimes your integrity. Case in point: Rand Paul. Nobody has been more prominent in U.S. politics being critical of drone strikes, particularly against American citizens, such as Anwar al-Awlaki, an Al Qaeda operative killed by a U.S. drone strike in Yemen in 2011. In […]

Mitch PerryApril 23, 2015

Attempting to build up positive momentum in the lead-up to next week’s U.S. Supreme Court hearing on same-sex marriage, a new group has been formed to show the growing bipartisan backing for gay marriage in the Sunshine State. It’s called, Florida Republicans for the Freedom to Marry, a joint effort between Equality Florida and Freedom […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

The Florida House on Thursday passed a measure that would let private agencies who cite religious or moral grounds to turn away gay couples seeking to adopt children. By a 75-38 vote, HB 7111, sponsored by Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur, was passed. Brodeur proposed the legislation only after the House voted last month to repeal the […]

Mitch PerryApril 2, 2015

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The Florida House Judiciary Committee today passed a controversial “conscience protection” bill (HB 7111) that would allow private adoption agencies to refuse child placements with gay couples. Conscience protection legislation grants a person or an entity the ability to refuse to perform an otherwise required duty, because the individual or entity violates their religious or […]

Tag: Equality Florida

With same-sex marriage now legal coast to coast, Jax activists eye city’s HRO once again

Mitch Perry Report for 2.4.15 — Hillary Clinton to rally base on voting issues

Equality Florida launches new TV ad prior to high court ruling on same-sex marriage

Mike Reedy says Shawn Harrison showed no leadership in 2015 Legislative Session

Mike Reedy aims to put HD 63 back in Democratic column

Florida Family Action PAC urges Jax voters to support anti-HRO candidates

Mitch Perry Report for 4.24.15 — The politics of convenience

GOP “Freedom to Marry” group forms for SCOTUS same-sex hearing

Florida House approves law to allow private agencies to turn away gay couples from adopting

House committee passes bill to allow private adoption agencies to deny gay adoption