Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Peter SchorschMarch 26, 2018

Joe Negron is making the rounds. The outgoing Senate President is doing post-Session interviews and sit-downs with the News Service of Florida, the Palm Beach Post, his hometown TC Palm, WPTV, and pretty much anyone else with a pen and notepad at the ready. For the most part, Negron is focusing on policy, including offering his personal […]

Peter SchorschMarch 19, 2018

Up until the moment a special master’s report found credible evidence of Jack Latvala‘s sexual misconduct, I was a defender of the Republican state Senator’s right to due process and, to some extent, an opportunity to confront his accusers. But after former Judge Ronald Swanson issued a report that Latvala inappropriately touched a top Senate […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2018

Incoming Florida Senate President Bill Galvano announced Wednesday that longtime senior policy adviser Lisa Vickers will serve as his chief of staff. “She brings a wealth of management experience gained from service as executive director of the Department of Revenue under two Governors, combined with a strong and diverse background in public policy,” Galvano said in a statement […]

Tag: Florida Senate

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

If Joe Negron plans to resign, he should…

Tampa Bay Times editorial board disgustingly misframes the Jack Latvala scandal

Bill Galvano names Lisa Vickers chief of staff