Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMay 2, 2017

For much of the past century, the first 100 days of a new presidency has become a traditional benchmark for success, a standard first set by Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt. With Republican Donald Trump’s administration, the first three months were — according to many — a mixed bag, at best. Similarly, the Florida Democratic Party is […]

Peter SchorschMay 2, 2017

To be frank, it was a pretty smart move, in retrospect. As competing bills to implement Amendment 2 get bogged down mid-Session, the hot-button flashpoints began: The number of new medical marijuana licensees, as well as the process to award those highly-valued “Willy Wonka” golden tickets. Current license holders have a point: “We invested millions […]

Staff ReportsMay 1, 2017

Daisy Baez has officially thrown her hat in the race to replace Frank Artiles. Baez, who was elected to the Florida House in November, filed her paperwork to run for Senate District 40, her campaign announced Monday. Baez will likely compete in a special election for the newly vacated seat. “I’m running for State Senate […]

Blake DowlingApril 29, 2017

A fella named Pyotr Levashov was arrested in Spain this month. Allegedly, the man’s real name is Peter Severa, one of the most wanted cyber criminals on the planet. At least six Russians have been arrested around the world on international warrants over the past several months, according to McClatchy Newspapers. There are allegations of involvement with […]

Associated PressApril 23, 2017

A newspaper is reporting that a Florida state senator who resigned this week after using a racial slur hired a former Hooters “calendar girl” and a Playboy model with no political experience to be consultants for his political action committee last year. The Miami Herald reports Saturday that state records show that Frank Artiles‘ PAC, […]

Phil AmmannApril 22, 2017

Marco Rubio has ‘no doubt’ state Sen. Frank Artiles‘ did the right thing by resigning from the Florida Legislature Friday in the wake of a racist and sexist outburst against two lawmakers. Elected officials are rightfully “held to a different standard,” Rubio said. “You hold a public trust, you are a representative of those districts, and you are going […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

Dwight Bullard, the Senate Democrat unseated by Frank Artiles last year, may be looking to return. Jessica Bakeman of POLITICO Florida reports that former Sen. Bullard is “seriously considering” a run after Artiles resigned Friday morning after the fallout from a racist and sexist tirade he made Monday at Tallahassee’s Governors Club. “I’d be lying […]

Jim RosicaApril 21, 2017

Frank Artiles has resigned his Senate seat rather than face a hearing that could result in his expulsion, according to a letter he sent to Senate President Joe Negron Friday. Artiles, a Cuban-American Republican from Miami-Dade County, made national news after he accosted Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, and Sen. Audrey Gibson, a Jacksonville Democrat, calling her a “b****h” and […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto said she believes Frank Artiles’ decision to resign was the “best decision for himself and his family.” Benacquisto, the Fort Myers Republican who chairs the Senate Rules Committee, said Sen. Perry Thurston has withdrawn his complaint against Artiles, and as such “no further action on the part of the part of the […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

The Florida Democratic Party is claiming victory amid the announcement that Frank Artiles has resigned his post. “The Florida Democratic Party began calling for Artiles’ resignation as soon as news hit of his racists and sexist remarks toward his Senate colleagues,” said Stephen Bittel, the chairman of the Florida Democratic Party, in a statement. “Meanwhile, […]

Tag: Frank Artiles
Florida's crackdown on Asian ownership is having an impact on Jacksonville ports.

Florida Democrats jump on 100-day bandwagon, outline list of initial ‘successes’

Medical marijuana: OK, it time to drop caps on dispensaries

Daisy Baez files to run to replace Frank Artiles in SD 40

Blake Dowling: Maybe we are getting a handle on hacking. Maybe.

Disgraced Sen. Frank Artiles paid Hooters, Playboy models as ‘consultants’

Marco Rubio: With ‘higher standard’ for lawmakers, Frank Artiles was right to resign

As Frank Artiles departs, Dwight Bullard contemplates return to Senate

Frank Artiles resigns from Senate

Lizbeth Benacquisto: Frank Artiles made the ‘best decision for himself and his family, his constitutes, and the Florida Senate’

Florida Dems welcome Frank Artiles resignation, begin fundraising for a special election