Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannFebruary 12, 2018

For the closing moments of the House District 72 special election, Republican James Buchanan ripped a page from the Donald Trump campaign playbook – holding a Trump-like rally, complete with a chorus of “lock her up.” While intended to excite supporters, the demonstration also set Democrats on fire. The hourlong rally in Sarasota County – featuring […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 9, 2018

There was little chance the Florida Democratic Party would let this week end without slamming U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, Republican candidate for Governor, for voting to approve the Continuing Resolution to end the government shutdown. “After years of cheering for government shutdowns that hurt Florida’s economy, Congressman Ron DeSantis (R-Fox News) seemingly reversed course early this morning by voting […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 5, 2018

The Florida Democratic Party confirmed on Monday that it has hired Juan Penalosa as its new executive director. Penalosa most recently served as the senior vice president of Mercury LLC and has had key roles in the transition teams of both Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo and former Chair Stephen Bittel, who resigned in shame last November […]

Scott PowersFebruary 2, 2018

The release Friday afternoon of the controversial House Intelligence Committee Republicans’ memo has Florida’s congressional delegation predictably abuzz, with hardline supporters of President Donald Trump such as U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz finding plenty of justification, and staunch opponents of Trump such as Democratic U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings finding potential damage to the country. Others in Florida […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 30, 2018

The Florida Democratic Party says Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, the newest entrant into the 2018 race for governor, needs to “break ties” with Steve Wynn. An FDP email says DeSantis has “repeatedly bragged about earning the casino magnate’s support,” and points out that Wynn was one of the North Florida Republican’s biggest backers for […]

Scott PowersJanuary 10, 2018

There’s that Sept. 30, 2009, check to the U.S. Senate campaign of former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio: It’s the $2,400 contribution to a Republican who then was seen as the darling of Florida’s Tea Party movement, an upstart whose explosive popularity on the right chased Charlie Crist from the Grand Old Party and made Democratic […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 2, 2018

Emily Slosberg, a Democratic state Representative from Boca Raton, announced this past weekend she is stepping down from the board of the Florida Young Democrats. “It has been an honor serving on the board of Fl Young Dems! I already miss it! I will always be a FYD at heart,” Slosberg posted on Facebook Sunday. […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 2, 2018

Less than a month into her new role and following a period of turmoil at the Florida Democratic Party, Chair Terrie Rizzo gave an “immediate” $253,000 boost to the party’s shaky finances. According to a memo, sent Tuesday to Florida Democratic Leadership and obtained by Florida Politics, Rizzo said the party’s financial team called on […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 1, 2018

Scrambling to raise money headed into the 2018 midterms, Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo last week asked county-level Democratic leaders for financial assistance to pay for the salaries of eight newly-hired regional staffers. Since that request, only six out of the 67 county committees have made a donation. While FDP officials paint this request […]

Ana CeballosDecember 8, 2017

Come early January, Johanna Cervone will no longer be working for the Florida Democratic Party. The state party’s communications director is leaving her post to work at the University of Miami, where she will be the executive director of communications at the Office of President Julio Frenk. Cervone was hired in March to expand the […]

Tag: Florida Democratic Party

Email insights: James Buchanan closes HD 72 race with Donald Trump playbook

Email insights: Ron DeSantis ‘ditches Freedom Caucus’

Juan Penalosa named executive director of Florida Democratic Party

Florida members of Congress: sharp, partisan outrage over content, release of ‘Nunes memo’

Email Insights: FDP says Ron DeSantis needs to dump Steve Wynn

Philip Levine: Check to Marco Rubio ‘tiny’ compared with long, deep Democratic support

Emily Slosberg leaves board of Florida Young Democrats

Under Terrie Rizzo, Florida Democratic Party’s shaky finances get ‘immediate’ boost

Financially-strained Florida Democratic Party asks county leaders for money

Johanna Cervone to leave Florida Democratic Party for University of Miami