Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressAugust 30, 2016

A former sheriff, a state representative and the son of a former Jacksonville mayor are the top candidates to replace Republican Congressman Ander Crenshaw, a longtime Florida political fixture retiring after eight terms. Former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford, state Rep. Lake Ray, and Hans Tanzler III, a corporate tax lawyer and former federal prosecutor who […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJuly 13, 2016

The Florida Sheriffs Association has elected its first African-American president in the history of the law enforcement association. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings will lead the organization, which represents the 66 elected sheriffs in the state and the appointed public safety director in Miami-Dade County. Demings, a native of Orlando who has been the Orange […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2016

Like may people in the Tampa Heights community that he represents, House District 61 Democrat Ed Narain was holding his breath when news broke on Tuesday that Gov. Rick Scott had vetoed $256 million in projects from the just concluded legislative session. The good news is that Narain’s request for $1.2 million to move what has become a […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2016

Legislation that would reform Florida’s civil forfeiture laws advanced in a Senate committee on Thursday. The bill (SB 1044) sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes, eliminates civil forfeiture in the state of Florida. Under the proposal, a seizure of assets or property may only take place after the arrest of a property owner, and the final […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 25, 2016

As Florida lawmakers once again consider a proposal to allow open carry of firearms, opponents, including the League of Women Voters Florida, argue that if passed, such a law would devastate the state’s biggest industry: tourism. There’s a compromise solution, though, says Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner of MomsRising.org, a grassroots organization that seeks economic security for all […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2015

The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) issued a statement on Monday giving their full support to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who has been under a firestorm of criticism in recent days for comments he was quoted as saying last week regarding the open carry legislation being debated in the Florida Legislature. Gualtieri and the FSA […]

Mitch PerryNovember 23, 2015

There’s been an increasing rise in reforming civil asset forfeiture laws around the country, with conservatives and libertarians (such as the Cato Institute) leading the cause in many cases. Civil asset forfeiture is the legal practice that allows law enforcement officials to seize private property and money that is suspected of aiding, or resulting from, […]

Mitch PerryNovember 18, 2015

The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee in the Florida Legislature on Wednesday barely passed a controversial bill that would allow people with a concealed weapons and firearms license to carry a gun openly. House Bill 163 is being sponsored in the House by Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz. It passed with Pinellas County Republicans Chris […]

Jim RosicaAugust 27, 2015

For the third time, state Sen. Aaron Bean has introduced legislation to create a statewide “cold case task force” to pare down the thousands of unsolved murders in Florida. But the head of an organization of victims’ survivors says he’s concerned about law enforcement again balking at the cost of such a measure. For instance, […]

Phil AmmannJuly 15, 2015

One of the nation’s largest state sheriff associations has named its leadership for the coming year. The Florida Sheriffs Association elected Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell its new president, only the second woman to fill the role. Darnell will preside over the association, the staff and board of directors to guide the efforts and direction of […]

Tag: Florida Sheriffs Association

John Rutherford, Lake Ray and Hans Tanzler vie for House seat

Florida Sheriffs Association elects first African-American president

Ed Narain proud of accomplishments in House, ready for Senate

Jeff Brandes’ civil forfeiture reform bill moves in Senate

Email insight: Open Carry opponents praise Florida Sheriffs compromise proposal

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri’s out-of-context quotes lead to misinterpretation, harsh responses

State report on civil asset forfeiture laws in Florida suggests reforms are needed

Open carry weapons bill advances in House

Bill would create “cold case task force” for unsolved killings

Florida Sheriffs Association picks new president, board leadership