Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 18, 2016

A coalition of consumer and physicians’ groups have stepped up their calls for an investigation into two big insurance mergers. The Florida Campaign for Consumer Choice on Wednesday once again called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the proposed mergers of Aetna and Humana, and Anthem and Cigna. The calls for investigation come as […]

Scott PowersApril 14, 2016

Former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings raised more than $210,000 in the first quarter of 2016 for her congressional race in Orlando-based Congressional District 10, her campaign announced Friday. The campaign did not state how much cash it had on-hand at the end of the quarter, but Demings, a Democrat, ended 2015 with more than […]

Scott PowersApril 14, 2016

The Congressional New Dems caucus has endorsed state Sen. Darren Soto in his race to win the Democratic nomination in Orlando-based Congressional District 9 and former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings in Orlando-based Congressional District 10. The New Democratic Coalition is chaired by Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Kind and its membership includes Florida Democratic […]

Scott PowersApril 7, 2016

Outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner conceded Thursday that the presidential election, the possible “Trump effect,” and other issues likely will lead to Democrats making gains in the Florida Legislature elections this fall. Gardiner, an Orlando Republican, told the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida that he is confident the GOP will retain its majority in […]

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 […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2016

After passage of a tax package and budget that snubs Gov. Rick Scott, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner said Friday afternoon lawmakers had “declared their independence” from an overbearing executive branch. “The 2016 Legislative Session may well go down in the history books as the year Florida lawmakers formally declared their independence from Governor Scott,” said Joyner, who […]

Scott PowersMarch 11, 2016

Although her bill to fund state investigations of police-caused deaths died in committee in January, state Sen. Geraldine Thompson said Friday she finally got what she wanted. “The bill didn’t move but there is money in the budget for FDLE and I got in proviso language that stipulates that of the funds that they get […]

Scott PowersMarch 9, 2016

State Sen. Geraldine Thompson was elected Wednesday to chair the Florida Legislative Black Caucus for the next year while vowing to stay in the race to be elected to the U.S. Congress next fall. “Congressional District 10: yes, I’m staying in the race,” she said. Thompson, an Orlando Democrat, said she did not have to make a choice between campaigning […]

Ryan RayMarch 4, 2016

Legislative budget writers met Friday evening to take up another pair of unreconciled budget areas – Transportation & Economic Development and Civil & Criminal Justice – and came to a final agreement, closing out millions in funding items in a multibillion dollar move when the House and Senate accepted each others’ offers. Among the most […]

Scott PowersMarch 3, 2016

Val Demings has received the endorsement of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers in her bid for the Democratic nomination to run for Congress in Orlando-based Congressional District 10. The union endorsement follows several others she has received, including from a coalition of unions representing Walt Disney World employees. “It means […]

Tag: Geraldine Thompson

Health insurance mergers a concern for the majority of Floridians

Val Demings reports $210K haul in first quarter

Congressional New Dems caucus endorses Darren Soto in CD 9 and Val Demings in CD 10

Andy Gardiner expects Democrats to make some gains in 2016 state elections

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

Top Democrat says lawmakers “declared independence” from Rick Scott by rebuffing priorities

Geraldine Thompson declares victory in getting state to probe police-caused deaths

Geraldine Thompson elected to chair of Legislative Black Caucus while vowing to stay in congressional race

Budget writers close out TED, justice budget silos

Union endorses Val Demings in CD 10 race