Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorNovember 9, 2014

Gwen Graham’s victory should give Florida Democrats something to think about. The rookie politician knew she could not overcome Congressman Steve Southerland’s appeal in nine counties he carried by more than 60 percent in the previous election. She campaigned in them anyway. Southerland, R-Panama City, won election in the Tea Party wave in 2010 and […]

Peter SchorschNovember 8, 2014

State Sen. John Thrasher, Florida State University’s soon-to-be president, submitted his letter of resignation from the Legislature on Monday. His departure is effective midnight Sunday. The move set off a series of political events, beginning with formal filings by Republican state Reps. Ronald “Doc” Renuart and Travis Hutson to run for Thrasher’s Senate District 6 […]

Phil AmmannNovember 6, 2014

Anticipating a special election, three St. Johns County Republicans filed for campaign accounts to succeed state Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart in House District 17, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Although he easily won another term on Tuesday, Renuart intends to run in a special election for a Republican state Sen. John Thrasher’s seat. […]

Diane RobertsOctober 13, 2014

Hard rain falling here in the land where college football is the élan vital. First, the very large, very detailed, story in the New York Times: seems the Tallahassee police habitually cut Seminole football players some slack — a lot of slack — when they vandalize property, steal, and assault women. Fox Sports News had […]

Gary FineoutOctober 2, 2014

Florida State University has chosen state Sen. John Thrasher as its next president despite significant campus opposition. The FSU board voted 11-2 Tuesday to hire Thrasher over three academics. Thrasher is an attorney and former state House speaker. He has long-standing ties to the institution and helped FSU gain a medical school. But his candidacy […]

Martin DyckmanOctober 1, 2014

In considering the exploitation of college athletes, it’s usually about how little they share of the stupendous wealth they generate for the big football and basketball programs. Not much is said about the risks they take. In that regard, it would be hard to find a worse case than what happened to Ereck Plancher and […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 29, 2014

I know what it’s like to oppose John Thrasher. I was a very junior senator facing one of Florida’s most respected, influential leaders who believed, on his side, just as strongly as I did on mine. I felt the force of his muscular personality, his immense grasp of the issues and his access to great resources […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 29, 2014

September is usually a time in American sports when devoted sports fans are treated to both baseball pennant races and the start of the NFL season. Traditionally, it’s a time when stars are born and veterans build their legacies. September 2014 has been a bit different, a season of contrasts. On one hand, the conduct […]

Diane RobertsSeptember 24, 2014

And in Florida State University news: the Heisman-winning quarterback is a clueless brat with a million-dollar arm and a five-cent head; the feds are investigating our handling of sexual assault accusations; and the new president-elect is a Koch-head political hack known for ethics violations. Higher education in Florida, y’all. The presidential “search” was a farce. […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 22, 2014

Florida State University trustees should not select state Sen. John Thrasher as the university’s next president when they vote today. Not on the grounds faculty and students claim: he lacks academic credentials, prefers creationist myths to sound science, and conveniently forgot several of his key votes on climate change. But for more compelling reasons: — […]

Tag: Florida State University

James Call: Graham was smart to campaign where she knew she wouldn’t win

John Thrasher submits resignation letter, Travis Hutson, Doc Renuart angle for his seat

Three St. Johns County Republicans position to run for Doc Renuart seat

Diane Roberts: We rabid sports fans are loving college football to death

FSU picks state Sen. John Thrasher as its next president despite campus opposition

Martin Dyckman: Court to decide if college athletic programs can keep immunity

Don Gaetz: Thrasher has the skills, smarts and charm to be a great FSU president

Steven Kurlander: A September contrast: Classy Jeter vs. NFL misfits

Diane Roberts: The search for a new FSU president was a farce

Chris Timmons: Thrasher is the wrong choice for new FSU president