Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJune 17, 2016

The frontrunners in many Central Florida legislative races piled on more money last month, with several candidates holding six-figure leads five months out from Election Day. In Senate District 13, the most competitive race among Orange County’s Senate seats, former Democratic Rep. Mike Clelland is trouncing the other two Democrats in the race with more […]

Scott PowersJune 8, 2016

The first three days of pre-qualifying for state Senate races in Central Florida show four of the 10 declared candidates in three races fell short of submitting enough valid signatures for the ballot by petition. So far, only an Aug. 30 Democratic primary in Senate District 11 would be assured, based on those candidates who appear to have enough […]

Scott PowersMay 13, 2016

A recent official House of Representatives mailing from state Rep. Randolph Bracy has one of his Florida Senate Democratic primary election opponents crying foul because the newsletter went beyond the House district. Last week Bracy sent out an Official Florida House of Representatives Newsletter for Spring 2016, containing all the usual positive reports and handsome photographs any […]

Scott PowersMay 11, 2016

State Rep. Randolph Bracy and former state Sen. Gary Siplin boasted the biggest fundraising efforts in April in the Orlando-based Senate District 13 race. That does not include loans. With $10,000 he lent his campaign, former state Rep. Bob Sindler brought in $13,950, while Bracy raised $10,500, Siplin $9,145 and environmental activist Chuck O’Neal $2,465 […]

Scott PowersMay 5, 2016

The Young Democrats of Orange County are hosting a primary debate that will draw most of the Democratic candidates running for the Florida Senate in Districts 11 and 13 next Tuesday. The debate, set for the Dr. J.B. Callahan Neighborhood Center in Parramore, has drawn all four candidates in SD 11 and two of three […]

Scott PowersApril 11, 2016

State Rep. Randolph Bracy of Orlando and Chuck O’Neal of Apopka out-raised two more-recent candidates in the four-Democrat race for Orlando-based Senate District 11 in March. Bracy reported raising $8,850 in March, giving his campaign a fundraising total of $65,100, with $40,641 in the bank. That includes $22,000 that he transferred from his Florida House […]

Scott PowersApril 6, 2016

State redistricting has transformed west Orange County’s Senate district from a longstanding African American-dominated base to a broader, still Democratic-leaning base where environmental operative Chuck O’Neal sees a route to Tallahassee. Apopka resident O’Neal, who has been active on issues ranging from protection of springs and estuaries to opposition to Florida’s bear hunt and oil […]

Scott PowersMarch 21, 2016

Former state Sen. Gary Siplin is trying again to return to the Florida Senate, this time, for the moment, without his rival state Sen. Geraldine Thompson in the race. Siplin filed last Friday to seek another term in the senate, after having served the area in the Senate District 19, prior to redistricting that pushed the […]

Guest AuthorOctober 14, 2014

Historically, Florida has been a hellish place to live for black men. But don’t take my word for it: look up the Groveland Boys. The state may be turning a corner. Here’s why some optimism is warranted: Last week, a jury in Jacksonville concluded that it is not OK to kill a black male merely […]

Tag: Gary Siplin

Where s**t stands in Central Florida legislative races

Six candidates submit petitions appearing to reach qualifying threshold in Central Florida senate races

Randolph Bracy newsletter criticized by SD 11 opponent Chuck O’Neal for going beyond district

Randolph Bracy, Gary Siplin boast top fundraising April in SD 13

Democratic State Senate Districts 11, 13, candidates to debate in Orlando

Randolph Bracy, Chuck O’Neal post top fundraising in SD 11 race

Chuck O’Neal brings environmental issues, more to Democrats’ SD 11 race

Gary Siplin enters Senate District 11 race, faces Bob Sindler and Chuck O’Neal

Chris Timmons: Jacksonville verdict, Ocala council decision are cause for hope