Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJuly 5, 2016

David Vasquez has come onboard as campaign manager for the re-election campaign of Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes of Longwood. Vasquez is a former communications staffer for both the now-ended Ron DeSantis for U.S. Senate campaign and the Republican Party of Florida, where he specialized in Hispanic media outreach. He also worked last year as […]

Peter SchorschMay 17, 2016

Allyce Heflin, budget chief for the Florida House of Representatives’ Education Appropriations Subcommittee, is heading to lobbying firm Southern Strategy Group. Heflin has been with the House since late 2006, according to her LinkedIn profile. Two years before that, she started in state government working in the budget office for the Florida Department of Education. “The Florida House’s loss is SSG’s […]

Jim RosicaMay 4, 2016

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Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady has qualified to stand for this year’s judicial merit-retention election, state records show. The Division of Elections posted the update Wednesday. He’s the last of the three justices to qualify who are up for merit-retention votes. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga had qualified Monday and Justice Ricky Polston qualified Tuesday. Canady and Polston make up the court’s […]

Jim RosicaMay 3, 2016

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Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and a raft of other appellate judges have already qualified to run for this year’s merit-retention election. The state’s Division of Elections posted the results online. In order of district, here are the judges who will stand for merit retention: 1st District Court of Appeal (Tallahassee): Ross Bilbrey, Susan Kelsey, Lori S. Rowe, […]

Jim RosicaMay 2, 2016

The winners of the congressional redistricting fight are seeking to make Corrine Brown pay for challenging them. The League of Women Voters of Florida, Common Cause and others last week filed a motion for sanctions against the north Florida congresswoman. Brown had unsuccessfully fought the redrawing of Florida’s congressional districts. Specifically, the Jacksonville Democrat had asked the court to set aside her […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2016

A panel of federal judges Monday shot down U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown‘s challenge of Florida’s congressional redistricting. In a 26-page order, the three judges said Brown had “not proven (her) case and that defendants are entitled to judgment in their favor.” The defendants include the League of Women Voters of Florida, Common Cause and others who last year forced a […]

Jim RosicaApril 12, 2016

As more than 100 of them crammed the waiting room and hallway of Gov. Rick Scott‘s office on Tuesday, advocates and opponents of this year’s alimony overhaul bill had a hollering battle over the contentious legislation. The opponents, led by Florida National Organization for Women lobbyist Barbara DeVane, scheduled a meeting with Scott’s staff at 11 a.m. to […]

Jim RosicaApril 11, 2016

Supporters and opponents of this year’s alimony overhaul bill will make their case at the Capitol on Tuesday. As Gov. Rick Scott reviews the legislation (SB 668), representatives of the Florida National Organization for Women, the League of Women Voters of Florida and other groups plan to meet with his staff at 11 a.m., according to FL-NOW lobbyist Barbara […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2016

State Sen. Kelli Stargel on Monday said Governor Rick Scott now has “all the information he needs” on her bill to overhaul the state’s alimony system. The measure (SB 668) was the final bill of the 2016 Legislative Session to be sent to Scott for review. It was delivered to his office after Stargel, a Lakeland Republican, briefly […]

Jim RosicaMarch 31, 2016

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The plaintiffs who won a congressional redistricting case won’t be getting paid by the state for appellate attorney costs, the Florida Supreme Court decided Thursday in a 4-3 decision. The denial of a request for attorney fees – two lines in the 8-page order – was the second blow in a one-two punch: A three-judge panel of the 1st District […]

Tag: Florida House of Representatives

Bob Cortes hires David Vasquez to manage HD 30 re-election campaign

Personnel note: Allyce Heflin leaving Florida House for lobbying firm Southern Strategy Group

Charles Canady qualifies for Supreme Court retention election

Jorge Labarga, other judges qualify for merit-retention election

Redistricting plaintiffs seek sanctions against Corrine Brown

Court rejects Corrine Brown’s bid to throw out Florida congressional map

Alimony bill supporters and opponents square off in Florida Capitol

Both sides of alimony reform putting pressure on Rick Scott

Kelli Stargel meets with Rick Scott on alimony bill

Supreme Court denies request for attorney fees in redistricting case