Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan NicolMay 29, 2018

As Rene Garcia gets ready to leave the Florida Senate, he’s now officially named Manny Diaz as his preferred replacement. Diaz, who currently represents House District 103, elected to run for the seat held by Garcia, who is term-limited. Now, Garcia says the Diaz is the right man to take his place. “Manny Diaz is […]

Peter SchorschMay 29, 2018

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Big news in the influence industry: After almost 10 years leading fertilizer giant Mosaic’s lobbying efforts in Tallahassee and Washington, Eileen Stuart is moving on to a new role. She’s joining the Tallahassee law firm of Hopping Green & Sams (HGS) in June to helm its government affairs practice. Stuart will be a shareholder of […]

Jim RosicaMay 2, 2018

Senate President Joe Negron tendered his resignation from elected office to Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday, to be effective Nov. 6, “the same day his term as Senate President ends.” Despite his current and final term not ending till 2020, Negron had telegraphed his decision his recent months in ‘exit interviews’ he gave to state […]

Scott PowersApril 25, 2018

A year ago, the families of the “Groveland Four” fought back tears, joined with Florida Legislature leaders, and watching as lawmakers sought to do what they could to right a 68-year-old injustice from the Jim Crow era in Florida. On April 18, 2017, the Florida House of Representatives approved CS/HCR 631 by 117-0. On April […]

Peter SchorschApril 12, 2018

For the first time this decade, a race to one day lead the Florida Senate is not confined to an intra-party scrum among Republican lawmakers. And while Naples Republican Kathleen Passidomo is now the slight front-runner to hold the gavel beginning in 2022, she and her GOP colleagues must first navigate two election cycles in […]

Michael MolineApril 5, 2018

Are Scott Maddox’s financial supporters mad that he spent $125,000 in political donations on legal fees arising from the federal investigation into Tallahassee’s City Hall? Not especially, judging from conversations with some of those supporters. “I don’t blame him for using it for that. It doesn’t bother me,” said Kevin Collins, a Tallahassee real estate […]

Danny McAuliffeApril 5, 2018

The grades are in, and from the perspective of those pushing for a more fertile business climate in the Sunshine State, the Legislature is getting better — but there’s still work to be done. Each year the Florida Chamber grades state legislators after tabulating votes on measures backed by the pro-business group. The 2018 Legislative […]

Scott PowersApril 2, 2018

Former state Sen. Geraldine Thompson filed for a chance to return to the Florida Legislature, entering the race for Florida’s House District 44 in southwest Orange County. Thompson, of Orlando, served four years in the Florida Senate, representing Senate District 12, and six in the Florida House, representing House District 39 before redistricting. She left the […]

Scott PowersMarch 27, 2018

The breadth of the chasm between Second Amendment advocates and gun law reformers became apparent Tuesday when the Florida Senate’s leading pro-gun champion squared off against the same chamber’s top advocate for firearms reform at the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. Republican state Sen. Dennis Baxley defined a fear among firearm owners that gun […]

Peter SchorschMarch 26, 2018

State Sen. Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat, had said he would announce a decision on running for mayor of Tallahassee this past weekend, but a spokesman said the longtime elected official has not yet made up his mind. Montford did not respond to calls and messages left Sunday. Montford, 70, was a popular school principal, Leon […]

Tag: Florida Senate
Image via AP.

Rene Garcia backs Manny Diaz in bid for Garcia’s SD 36 seat

Personnel note: Eileen Stuart departs Mosaic Co. for Hopping Green & Sams

Joe Negron to leave Senate early

After a year, families hear nothing on calls for justice for the Groveland Four

Electoral map scrambles race for Senate presidency

Scott Maddox campaign contributors OK with covering legal bills

Honor roll: State legislators receive high marks from Florida Chamber

Geraldine Thompson is back, filing to run in HD 44

Dennis Baxley and Linda Stewart turn debate to defining assault weapons, defense rifles

Bill Montford still on the fence on TLH mayoral run