Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersDecember 3, 2018

Nineteen months after the Florida Legislature apologized on behalf of the state for injustice toward four black men falsely accused of rape in 1949 and urged Gov. Rick Scott and Florida’s cabinet to expedite pardons for them, there appear to be no such pardons in the works for the Groveland Four. But there still might […]

Staff ReportsNovember 26, 2018

Democratic state Reps. Geraldine Thompson, Dianne Hart, and Ben Diamond have been named floor leaders, House Democratic Leader Kionne L. McGhee announced Monday. “As we transition into a new legislative year, I am confident of the progress this caucus will achieve,” McGhee said in a statement. “I am thrilled and honored to appoint such dedicated public servants […]

Scott PowersNovember 26, 2018

Orange County Democrats flipped three seats in the Florida House and, as state Reps. Geraldine Thompson, Anna Eskamani and Joy Goff-Marcil make their debuts, they’re looking for practical starts. On Nov. 6, the three Democrats flipped the partisan strength of Orange County’s delegation from five Republicans and four Democrats, to seven Democrats and two Republicans. Thompson has been […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 20, 2018

State lawmakers are preparing to address election laws in the wake of a controversial midterm that saw three statewide races head to hotly disputed recounts. What’s more, addressing the issue appears to have a bipartisan backing. State Rep. Kionne McGhee on Tuesday pledged to make election reform a top priority, just hours after he formally assumed […]

Drew WilsonNovember 8, 2018

Most Florida Democrats woke up consumed by what went wrong on Election Day. Another nil for five performance in statewide races, and a one for six performance in the state Senate, assuming current margins hold. But Ruth’s List Florida was more than a little cheery with an email celebrating its “historic victories” on Tuesday. Their […]

Scott PowersNovember 7, 2018

Florida might not have seen a blue wave, but Orange County certainly did. A pink one, too. The waves also rolled through neighboring Seminole County, where they didn’t wash away much Republican establishment, but likely scared plenty. The results of Tuesday’s election means that for the first time in more than 20 years Democrats will […]

Drew WilsonNovember 7, 2018

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Tuesday’s top-of-ticket results didn’t give Florida Democrats much reason to cheer, but incoming House Minority Leader Kionne McGhee says the party made decent inroads into the GOP’s intractable advantage in the state House. The victories highlighted: Joy Goff-Marcil in HD 30, Geraldine Thompson in HD 44, Anna Eskamani in HD 47, Adam Hattersley in HD […]

Scott PowersNovember 6, 2018

Democratic former state Sen. Geraldine Thompson is back, grabbing a House District from Republican state Rep. Bobby Olszewski that once was considered such safe Republican seat that no previous Democrat has ever been competitive. Thompson claimed House District 44, covering suburban southwestern Orange County Tuesday night, defeating Olszewski by 2,000 votes and a 51 percent […]

Scott PowersOctober 29, 2018

Republican state Reps. Bob Cortes and Bobby Olszewski spent huge amounts on local television in the third week of October, fueling their broadcast campaigns that began last week to power their re-election bids for in their House Districts 30 and 44. The latest campaign finance reports, running through Oct. 19 and posted by the Florida […]

Scott PowersOctober 17, 2018

Republican state Rep. Bobby Olszewski is launching the first television commercial of his re-election campaign pushing upbeat messages of Floridians coming together for each other and pride in the community. The 30-second spot features images of Central Florida points of pride including theme parks, the University of Central Florida, Kennedy Space Center, and of happy […]

Tag: Geraldine Thompson

No pardons in line for Groveland Four as Rick Scott, clemency board postpone meeting

Trio of lawmakers joins House Democratic leadership

Orange County Democratic House newbies seeking practical issues

Election reform an early talking point in Florida House

Ruth’s List Florida dubs run-of-the-mill results “historic victories”

As Trump turns Florida more red, Orange County sparkles blue

HD 26, HD 89 recounts to decide final split in Florida House

Geraldine Thompson topples Bobby Olszewski in HD 44

Bob Cortes, Bobby Olszewski spend big among Orange County House candidates

Bobby Olszewski TV commercial promotes community pride, unity