Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschDecember 29, 2017

‘Tis the season, and the Legislature’s dubious Christmas present this year was moving up the 2018 Legislative Session two months from its usual March start date. We will no doubt have many gifts in store, besides the inevitable policy food fights, such as perhaps seeing some lawmakers in their ugly holiday sweaters (the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts “sunny, turning warm” for […]

Jim RosicaDecember 26, 2017

Spoiler alert: If you’re a regular of this site, and reading this story, you can guess what the #1 pick is. Otherwise, 2017 still offered a bounty of material to Tallahassee’s reporting ranks. We still chuckle at the uninitiated who ask, “What do you write about when the Legislature isn’t in session?” Without further ado, […]

Peter SchorschDecember 6, 2017

There is a scene in the always-watchable movie “The Late Shift” — a behind-the-scenes look at the network politics that embroil television executives responsible for late-night programming after 1991’s retirement announcement of Johnny Carson — in which Tonight Show producer Peter Lassally (played by Steven Gilborn) has a come-to-Jesus conversation with David Letterman in which […]

Bob SparksNovember 9, 2017

What a year we’re having in Florida’s capital city. Just not in a good way. In April, we had the sad spectacle of Miami Republican Sen. Frank Artiles resigning from the Senate after uttering racial slurs in the direction of Jacksonville Democrat Audrey Gibson. Less than two weeks ago, incoming Senate Democratic Leader Jeff Clemens […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 2, 2017

With a state Senate on edge after the resignation of Jeff Clemens and looming questions of surveillance, Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon II wants his chamber to focus on cases of harassment, rather than what he dubbed “consensual” relations. The assertion came after Braynon detailed his priorities for the 2018 Session. The Miami Gardens Democrat put juvenile […]

Peter SchorschNovember 1, 2017

Democratic state Rep. Daisy Baez resigned her House seat Wednesday, and is expected to plead guilty to perjury charges in a criminal case over her residency in Coral Gables-based House District 114. Baez’s plea agreement for a misdemeanor perjury charge includes her leaving office and paying a $1,000 fine. She will also take an ethics course […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 27, 2017

With the votes tallied, Democrat Annette Taddeo beat out Republican Jose Felix Diaz 51-47 in the Tuesday special election for Senate District 40, despite all signs pointing toward a low-turnout Election Day and early voting numbers strongly favoring Diaz.

Staff ReportsSeptember 27, 2017

After three attempts at elective office, Democrat Annette Taddeo finally won Tuesday’s special election to represent Miami-area Florida Senate District 40. Taddeo, 50, defeated former state Rep. Jose Felix “Pepi” Diaz 51 to 47 percent to fill the seat of Republican Frank Artiles, who resigned in April after using the N-word in front of two […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 23, 2017

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The Florida Democratic Party traded funds with the Ohio Democratic Party earlier this month, but neither party has said how the transferred money would be used. FDP sent the Ohio party $150,000 from its federal account in exchange for funds that can be used for state-level expenses. Different rules apply to state and federal contributions […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 21, 2017

Former Vice President Joe Biden has recorded a call to announce his support of Democrat Annette Taddeo in next Tuesday’s Senate District 40 special election, her campaign announced Wednesday. “We have a real shot to elect a strong Democrat and proven leader, Annette Taddeo, to the state senate,” the longtime Democrat says in the 50-second recording. […]

Tag: Frank Artiles

The 12 Days of Christmas, as brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and politicos

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories of 2017

Et tu, Lauren Book

Supreme Court brings new meaning to ‘oral arguments’

Oscar Braynon: Focus on harassment, not consensual relationships

Daisy Baez resigns over residency case, but GOP supermajority not assured

Winners and losers emerging from Annette Taddeo’s win SD 40

What they’re saying about Annette Taddeo’s victory in SD 40

FDP trades $150K with Ohio party; likely to spend in SD 40 special election

The big get: Joe Biden endorses Annette Taddeo