Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayFebruary 25, 2016

George Gainer blasted the Legislature and his Senate District 1 opponent Rep. Matt Gaetz in an email appeal to supporters on Thursday, contending a pair of measures considered this year amount to a “power grab” by state government. Gainer, a Republican and longtime Bay County Commissioner, said bills on so-called “fracking” and local taxes aim at “stripping authority […]

Ryan RayDecember 21, 2015

In another early maneuver in an increasingly expensive Senate primary, Rep. Matt Gaetz has unveiled a new ad in his race against fellow Republican George Gainer in SD 1. It focuses not on his primary opponent, but on the “radical” federal agenda of President Barack Obama, who Gaetz portrays as his biggest adversary during his time in the Florida House. […]

Ryan RayDecember 14, 2015

George Gainer isn’t slowing down his campaign for state Senate against Rep. Matt Gaetz just because Sen. Jack Latvala – who recruited him to run in the Panhandle Senate District 1 seat – recently gave up the ghost in his bid for Senate President. Gainer, a longtime Bay County Commissioner with deep roots in Northwest Florida, played on those origins […]

Drew WilsonDecember 10, 2015

Republican Bay County Commissioner George Gainer passed Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz in fundraising in October, and the gap between the two Senate District 1 candidates got a bit wider last month, according to recently filed campaign finance reports. Gainer posted $42,285 in November contributions and spent $57,313, leaving him with $557,747 on-hand heading into December. […]

Jim RosicaNovember 23, 2015

State Rep. Matt Gaetz has started a petition drive to “block the entry of all Syrian refugees into the United States,” he said in a Monday email. “America has a rich history of accepting foreign refugees, but when it comes to the safety and security of the American people, there are some risks we simply […]

Drew WilsonNovember 9, 2015

After a six-figure haul in October Republican George Gainer has passed Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz in on-hand money in the race for Senate District 1. The Gainer campaign brought in $118,590 last month and spent $46,887, leaving the Bay County Commissioner with just under $573,000 cash on-hand heading into November. Gaetz’s report wasn’t as […]

Phil AmmannNovember 6, 2015

George Gainer doesn’t talk about Northwest Florida values. He lives them. That’s the gist of the latest mailing from the North Florida businessman, who faces state Rep. Matt Gaetz in the Republican Senate District 1 primary. The ad, set to hit area mailboxes next week, strives to heat up the battle for conservatives by hitting […]

Drew WilsonNovember 3, 2015

Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz released a new ad Tuesday that trumpets his role in passing tougher penalties on sex offenders in 2014. “I’m Matt Gaetz, and I’ll always fight to protect our kids,” the Senate District 1 candidate said in the video. “The system was broken, so I led the fight to fix it,” […]

Drew WilsonNovember 3, 2015

Last week, Republican SD1 candidate George Gainer batted down accusations that he was “standing alone in the mirror” in his Senate campaign. This week, he’s keeping the full-court press on his opponent, Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. Gainer, fresh off a major fundraiser for his campaign that reportedly brought in a six-figure sum, announced Monday that his […]

Phil AmmannOctober 28, 2015

Bay County Commissioner George Gainer pushed back hard on accusations he is “standing alone in the mirror” for his Florida Senate District 1 campaign. As proof, the Northwest Florida Republican hosted a major fundraiser, attended by what supporters call a “who’s who” of Bay County business, civic and political leaders. Gainer faces state Rep. Matt Gaetz […]

Tag: George Gainer
Kristen Arrington, Anna Eskamani, Jason Brodeur, Keith Truenow, David Smith, Geraldine Thompson at Tiger Bay. Image by Jacob Ogles

Email Insights: George Gainer decries “Tallahassee power grab” in 2016 Session

Matt Gaetz launches new TV ad in heated SD 1 primary

George Gainer goes local in latest TV ad in SD 1

Matt Gaetz falls behind as George Gainer widens fundraising gap in SD 1 race

Email Insights: Matt Gaetz starts petition drive to keep refugees out of Fla.

After October haul, George Gainer passes Matt Gaetz in on-hand cash for SD 1 race

Direct mail roundup: George Gainer doesn’t talk NW Florida values, he lives them

Matt Gaetz ad boasts role in “fixing” penalties for sex offenders

George Gainer drops first ad in Senate campaign vs. Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz opponent George Gainer holds major SD 1 funder, proves he isn’t “standing alone in the mirror”