Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonMarch 9, 2018

The last time I saw Ronda Storms was more than five years ago. I was interviewing her about her campaign for Property Appraiser in Hillsborough County. She won the Republican primary but thumped by nine points in the general election by Bob Henriquez. We met at Starbucks in Valrico, about 15 miles east of downtown […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2018

With only one member commenting, the House swiftly passed its omnibus gambling bill for 2018, setting up a possible conference of the two chambers. The bill (HB 7067) was OK’d on a 70-40 vote, with Republican Halsey Beshears of Monticello and Tom Goodson of Rockledge joining the Democrats in voting ‘no.’ Bill sponsor Mike La […]

Scott PowersJanuary 24, 2018

Heat of the Israel-Palestinian conflict flared Wednesday at the Florida House Government Accountability Committee when a pro-Palestine student charged that a resolution supporting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a threat to peace, and then the bill’s sponsor interpreted her comments as apparent threats of terrorism. “There will be no true peace and safety […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 16, 2018

What a birthday president for Jose Felix Diaz, the former state representative who last year lost a high-profile special election for the Florida Senate. Diaz, who turns 38 Tuesday, is joining Ballard Partners, the governmental affairs firm led by Brian Ballard. A well-respected name in Miami-Dade County, Diaz most recently served seven years representing Districts […]

Scott PowersJanuary 15, 2018

With two big fundraising dates in December, Republican state Rep. David Santiago of Deltona raised $30,000 in December, leading all house candidates throughout Central Florida, according to the latest campaign finance reports posted by the state. Santiago, of House District 27 serving western and southern Volusia County, had his third month in a row of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018

A GOP House member seemingly is taking a swipe at House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a fellow Republican, with a bill that bans sitting lawmakers and family members, including “siblings,” from working for lobbying firms. Corcoran’s brother Michael is a lobbyist. State Rep. Kathleen Peters of Treasure Island, who filed the bill (HB 1325), had been “ousted […]

Scott PowersJanuary 5, 2018

The Florida chief financial officer campaign of Democratic former state Sen. Jeremy Ring announced Friday he has received the endorsements of more than half the Democrats in the Florida Senate, plus 11 Democrats in the Florida House of Representatives. “From the very beginning I have believed that our campaign is all about people power,” Ring […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 4, 2018

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Debra Bellanti recognizes that there are those in the Democratic Party who think the odds are against her beating Republican incumbent Jackie Toledo in House District 60 in 2018. But the South Tampa-based marketing strategist and creative director in the health care industry begs to differ. “I’m in it to win it,” she said Thursday morning. “I’m not […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 4, 2018

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Rich Glorioso, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who served in the House 2004-12, has again thrown in his hat to be considered for a seat on the Florida Public Service Commission. Glorioso’s was one of two initial applications for a vacancy created by the withdrawal of former Rep. Ritch Workman. The applications were released Wednesday by the Public […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2018

Attorneys for the Florida Lottery and House Speaker Richard Corcoran have confirmed a tentative end to their fight over a multi-million dollar agency contract, saying in a Tuesday court filing they’re officially on a “pathway to resolution.” The sides filed a status report in the case, now with the 1st District Court of Appeal, asking that the lawsuit stay […]

Tag: Florida House of Representatives

Joe Henderson: Ronda Storms is back; don’t underestimate her

With little ado, House passes 2018 gaming bill

Jerusalem bill sparks Palestine-Israel conflict, assertion of terrorist threat

Personnel note: Jose Felix Diaz joins Ballard Partners

David Santiago raises $30K for HD 27 campaign, leading all Central Florida candidates

Shot fired: Kathleen Peters gets in dig at Richard Corcoran

Jeremy Ring announces Florida Democratic lawmakers’ endorsements for CFO race

Democrat Debra Bellanti ‘in it to win it’ for HD 60

Former Rep. Rich Glorioso re-applies for PSC seat

Lottery lawsuit on ‘pathway to resolution,’ new filing says