Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 20, 2018

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As expected — and scripted — the Florida Senate unanimously elected Bill Galvano as President of the GOP-controlled chamber for the 2019 and 2020 Legislative Sessions. The move came at a constitutionally mandated “organization session” on Tuesday after the 2018 general elections. Outgoing President and Stuart Republican Joe Negron passed the gavel, and 10 new members also took seats […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 19, 2018

A day after Hillsborough County’s hand recount officially concluded and two days after it was clear Janet Cruz was the Senate District 18 winner, Dana Young has conceded the race. “The supervisor of elections has finished both recounts and submitted the results. Although the final result was not what we had hoped for, I am extremely […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 17, 2018

Senate District 18 presumptive winner Janet Cruz is again declaring victory in her bid to unseat incumbent Republican Dana Young. After a manual recount conducted in Hillsborough County, Cruz — who was last the House Democratic Leader — maintains a 382-vote lead over Young, according to the Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Cruz’s victory is […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 14, 2018

State Sen. David Simmons is primed to be the upper chamber’s second-in-command during the 2019 and 2020 Legislative Sessions. Senate President-elect Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, on Wednesday announced his selection of the Longwood Republican to fill the role. The Senate is expected to approve Simmons’ appointment on Tuesday, when the chamber meets for Organizational […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 11, 2018

Newly-elected state Sen. Ed Hooper has a lot of plans for his term in office, but the first order of business is finding an office. While hunting for real estate is a necessary first detail, the Pinellas Republican is still laying the groundwork to implement some of his priorities. The former state Representative bested Democrat Amanda […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 9, 2018

Janet Cruz’s lead over Dana Young in their Florida Senate District 18 race grew to 355 overnight after the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Canvassing Board began counting provisional ballots and uncounted vote-by-mail ballots. Cruz’s lead had been just shy of 300. The outgoing House Democratic Leader had challenged Young, a Republican, for the state Senate […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 7, 2018

GOP state Sen. Dana Young‘s future in the Florida Senate is still uncertain after a nail-biter race against Democratic state Rep. Janet Cruz. With nearly 200,000 votes cast in the Senate District 18 contest, the two were separated by 289 votes late Tuesday, with Cruz holding a slender advantage. If that margin holds, it would trigger an […]

Ryan NicolNovember 6, 2018

State Rep. Manny Diaz is moving to the Senate, after defeating his Democratic opponent, David Perez. Diaz defeated Perez 54 percent to 46 percent. Diaz, who served as the state Rep. in House District 103, was a strong fundraiser as the contest neared its end. But Perez, who worked as chief of staff for former […]

Drew WilsonNovember 6, 2018

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A ballot measure that requires a two-thirds vote by the state Legislature for any future tax increases was approved by Florida voters Tuesday. Amendment 5 was up 66 percent-34 percent as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Constitutional amendments need no less than 60 percent of the vote to pass. Also known as the “Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Former State Representative Ed Hooper narrowly beat Amanda Murphy in an upset for the “blue wave” Democrats were hoping for. Hooper won 52 to 48 percent in the race for Senate District 16. Murphy issued a statement concession statement about an hour after the polls closed Tuesday evening. “I want to thank our incredible team […]

Tag: Florida Senate
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Pledging to be a ‘facilitator,’ Bill Galvano becomes Senate President

Dana Young finally concedes SD 18 race to Janet Cruz

With hand recount complete, Janet Cruz wins battleground state Senate seat

David Simmons selected Senate President Pro Tempore

After contentious election, Ed Hooper lays out Senate priorities

Janet Cruz lead over Dana Young grows, but recount still imminent

Recount? Janet Cruz vs. Dana Young race in SD 18 still too close to call

Manny Diaz takes SD 36 over David Perez

Supermajority tax amendment approved by supermajority of voters

Ed Hooper puts breaks on ‘blue wave’ in Amanda Murphy upset