Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersNovember 6, 2018

In election contests that were far from mysteries, voters returned Orlando Democratic state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado, and Orlando Republican state Rep. Rene Plasencia to office in eastern Orange County Tuesday. Mercado and Smith are leaders of the progressive wing of House Democrats and fended off token challenges from late-qualified Republicans George […]

Scott PowersAugust 13, 2018

Former federal officer George Chandler of Orlando has been picked by the Orange County Republican Party to be the replacement candidate to run for the Florida House of Representatives in House District 48. Chandler, 62, of Orlando, is the county Republican’s choice as the replacement candidate for Scotland Calhoun, who initially filed in June to […]

Drew WilsonMay 15, 2018

Contributions were sparse in April for five Central Florida lawmakers who are still unopposed in their re-election 2018 bids – Democratic Reps. Bruce Antone, Kamia Brown, John Cortes, Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith. Of the five, Brown posted the best report last month. She showed $5,485 in contributions, which brings her to-date fundraising total […]

Staff ReportsOctober 25, 2016

There’s a strong possibility Democrats could sweep all three Orlando Senate seats, though Republican Dean Asher is still far ahead in the Senate District 13 money race. The Orlando Realtor brought in another $11,250 between Oct. 8 and Oct. 14 and spent about $69,000, leaving his campaign with about $73,000 on hand. His committee, “Allegiant […]

Staff ReportsJune 11, 2016

12697321_10104873372579132_2446305718911809732_o-1024x1024.jpg

There are more than 300 candidates running for the 160 seats in the Florida House and Senate. And, try as we will, FloridaPolitics.com won’t be able to interview all of them. So we are asking every candidate, including incumbents, to complete a questionnaire we believe offers an interesting, albeit, thumbnail sketch of who they are and […]

Ryan RayApril 11, 2016

Alex Barrio leapfrogged his opponent Amy Mercado in a heated Democratic primary for an Orlando-area state House race last month, according to newly released campaign finance data. Barrio, who announced a run to succeed Rep. Victor Torres in HD 48 last month, raised $12,104 during the reporting period covering March 1 to March 31. Mercado raised $5,658, raising her […]

Ryan RayMarch 8, 2016

Longtime Democratic staffer and union organizer Alex Barrio will run for the House seat currently held by Rep. Victor Torres, who is running for Senate District 15. The move sets up a primary between Barrio and Torres’ daughter Amy Mercado, who is seeking to succeed Torres in the heavily Democratic HD 48 seat. Barrio told FloridaPolitics.com on Monday […]

Tag: HD 48

Amy Mercado, Rene Plasencia, Carlos Smith re-elected

Orange Republicans pick George Chandler to run in HD 48

Light fundraising month for Orange County’s unopposed House incumbents

Here’s where sh*t stands in Orlando’s legislative races

Meet Alex Barrio, Democrat running for House District 48

Democrat Alex Barrio jumps out to fundraising lead in HD 48

Alex Barrio files to run in Orlando-based HD 48