Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Diane RobertsNovember 9, 2014

Florida can congratulate itself on yet another dubious distinction: political parties, corporate patrons, gazillionaires, dark money groups, and the candidates themselves spent $345 million on the 2014 elections — the most expensive in the nation. With that kind of money, India could send four missions to Mars and have enough left over to throw a […]

Guest AuthorNovember 9, 2014

Gwen Graham’s victory should give Florida Democrats something to think about. The rookie politician knew she could not overcome Congressman Steve Southerland’s appeal in nine counties he carried by more than 60 percent in the previous election. She campaigned in them anyway. Southerland, R-Panama City, won election in the Tea Party wave in 2010 and […]

Guest AuthorNovember 9, 2014

I live in Tallahassee — a sea of blue surrounded by red. Gwen Graham beat Republican Steve Southerland to become the first woman elected to the Second Congressional District seat. On a bleak night for Democrats nationwide, Graham’s less-than-3,000-vote margin of victory felt like a landslide. She can thank the voters of Leon County, where […]

Adam WeinsteinNovember 6, 2014

In 1994, at the height of the nationwide electoral wave against Bill Clinton — a force so great and enduring it would be remembered as “the Republican revolution” — there was one bright spot for Democrats: They held on to the Florida Governor’s Mansion. Lawton Chiles, a self-described cracker and populist, fought off a challenge […]

Bob SparksOctober 6, 2014

Few races for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives fall into the competitive category, but Florida has one of the top 10 most watched campaigns in the country. Democrat Gwen Graham’s challenge to Republican Rep. Steve Southerland for the Congressional District 2 seat is a political scientist’s dream. The numbers for District 2 paint […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 15, 2014

Labor Day is at least a week into the rearview mirror, so the white pants should be closeted away until next June. The kids are back at school, football has returned to the tube, and, even in Florida, the temperature has dropped a degree or two. In other words, elections are less than two months away. […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 8, 2014

Labor Day is at least a week into the rearview mirror, so the white pants should be closeted away until next June. The kids are back at school, football has returned to the tube, and, even in Florida, the temperature has dropped a degree or two. In other words, elections are less than two months away. […]

Bruce RitchieAugust 24, 2014

Environmental issues are becoming high profile in the race for Congress in the eastern Florida Panhandle, as they should anywhere in Florida. U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, is facing Democrat Gwen Graham of Tallahassee in the Nov. 4 general election. The district extends from the white sand beaches of Bay County east, to include […]

Bruce RitchieAugust 10, 2014

Former U. S. Senator Bob Graham was back on the campaign trail this month, and he said he’s loving it. Graham’s daughter, Gwen Graham, is running as a Democrat for Congress against Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City. Last week, she wrapped up an eight-day “Grilling with the Grahams” tour of the congressional district’s 14 counties […]

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2014

I’m privileged to live in the congressional district served by Mr. Anti-Poverty himself, U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland. The second-term congressman and former funeral home director, you should know by now, has made fighting poverty his No. 1 priority. In doing so, Southerland has embarked on a crusade to overhaul (some would say gut) the food […]

Tag: Gwen Graham
The North Florida Land Trust hired contractgors to remove fencing submerged in Lake Smith Preserve. Image via North Florida Land Trust.

Diane Roberts: The only mandate from this election is to protect the environment

James Call: Graham was smart to campaign where she knew she wouldn’t win

Andrew Skerritt: Gwen Graham victory in North Florida is reason for hope

Adam Weinstein: The three big reasons Florida Democrats still can’t elect a governor

Bob Sparks: Gwen Graham must overcome Steve Southerland and Barack Obama

Five critical political questions leading up to November’s election

Peter Schorsch: Five critical political questions leading up to November’s election

Bruce Ritchie: Environment is an issue in Panhandle race for Congress

Bruce Ritchie: Bob Graham is back on the campaign trail helping daughter Gwen

Andrew Skerritt: Southerland’s stance on Obamacare inconsistent with his poverty campaign