Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan NicolAugust 21, 2018

(Update: A Facebook spokesperson responded by saying the ad was rejected incorrectly, and was reinstated after its systems identified the error) Andrew Dolberg, a Democratic candidate for House District 98, is accusing Facebook of being a buzzkill after the company allegedly rejected a pro-medical marijuana ad from the Dolberg campaign. The ad called for increased […]

Drew WilsonAugust 9, 2018

The Republican primary race for Pinellas County’s House District 69 has taken an odd turn. A supporter of Madeira Beach attorney Ray Blacklidge was out canvassing Monday when he and other volunteers noticed something fishy going on — the flyers they were leaving at front doors were going missing, only to be replaced by materials […]

Blake DowlingAugust 4, 2018

I voted by mail this week. Done. Neither Russians nor Scientologists, nor Canadians were able to influence or meddle with my selections. What did those groups behind the headlines do to our electoral process? They created discord and a lack of faith in some areas — certainly one of their goals. The last administration told […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

State Rep. Chuck Clemons is appealing a federal judge’s decision not to toss out a lawsuit against him because he blocked a constituent from his official social media. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker of the Northern District of Florida had denied the Newberry Republican’s motion to dismiss in May. While Clemons appeals Walker’s ruling to the 11th […]

Blake DowlingJuly 28, 2018

The internet. The Final Frontier. To boldly post what no one has posted before. These are the ramblings of me, on a never-ending mission to spread something you will find remotely helpful in your political, personal or business life. Let’s talk about posting on Facebook. Do you post links from the press on a campaign […]

Danny McAuliffeJuly 27, 2018

Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell is making the most out of Facebook’s misstep. The tech giant earlier this week removed one of Caldwell’s ads featuring him shooting and declaring his support for guns, the Second Amendment and President Donald Trump. Caldwell, a candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, accused Facebook of one-sided censorship and has subsequently received […]

Ryan NicolJuly 25, 2018

Facebook has reversed itself after removing an ad from Agriculture Commissioner candidate Matt Caldwell that featured the candidate firing and then holding a gun, according to a report from The News-Press. Caldwell had accused the social media site of censorship after his ad was removed. Facebook’s advertising policies state: “Ads must not promote the sale or use […]

Ryan NicolJuly 24, 2018

GOP Agriculture Commissioner candidate Matt Caldwell has a message for Facebook after he says his pro-Second Amendment ad was removed: “Don’t tread on me.” The candidate, also a North Fort Myers state representative, argues Facebook was motivated by “institutional liberalism” in choosing to ban the ad. The 15-second spot, titled “That’s All There Is To […]

Peter SchorschJuly 20, 2018

Sanford Republican Scott Sturgill has been an unabashed supporter of President Donald Trump during his campaign for Florida’s 7th Congressional District. That isn’t shocking on its face, of course — standing with the President is a common thread that nearly every GOP primary campaign shares nationwide, and for good reason. Take one look at U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, […]

Danny McAuliffeJuly 18, 2018

Congressman Matt Gaetz prompted a swift response from Facebook on Wednesday after grilling the tech giant’s head of policy, Monika Bickert, about the company’s lack of action toward a page that had prompted its followers to shoot Republicans. Gaetz confronted Bickert during a U.S. House Judiciary Committee meeting titled “Facebook, Google and Twitter: Examining the Content Filtering Practices […]

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Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Andrew Dolberg: Facebook denied my ad promoting medical marijuana

Sketchy stroll: State House candidate filmed nabbing opponent’s flyers

Blake Dowling: Elections and tech

Chuck Clemons appealing in social media ‘blocking’ case

Blake Dowling: The World-Wide Internets

Matt Caldwell: Facebook should ban abortion ads, not gun ads

Facebook reverses course, approves Matt Caldwell ad featuring guns

Matt Caldwell accuses Facebook of censorship after ad is removed

That time Scott Sturgill wasn’t on board the Trump train

Facebook removes ‘violent page’ following Matt Gaetz’ testimony