Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bill RuftySeptember 26, 2016

Sam Killebrew, Republican candidate for Florida House District 41, has raised a campaign war chest double that of Democratic candidate Bob Doyel, who nevertheless raised more than any Democrat running for the district in 16 years. The battle for the open seat is the only competitive race among the seven legislative seats in Polk County […]

Bill RuftySeptember 21, 2016

Republicans and Democrats agreeing on a major issue – It seldom (if ever) happens lately in national politics. But on a state level, Republican Sam Killebrew and Democrat Bob Doyel, competing for Florida House District 41, agreed on the critical issue of education in the state of Florida. There are too many tests and perhaps […]

Bill RuftySeptember 4, 2016

Polk County will likely never return to the Democratic bastion that was home to four U.S. senators, three governors, and four presidents of the Florida Senate. But from Tuesday’s primaries and the fielding of candidates for the Nov. 8 general elections, Polk Democrats are slowly learning to make the now-GOP bastion a two-party county again. There […]

Bill RuftyAugust 5, 2016

Florida House District 41 hopefuls at the Winter Haven Chamber’s Whistle Stop event Thursday night might have noticed a few once-over stares from more than just voters. That is, if those seeking to replace term-limited Rep. John Wood looked up from handshaking and glad-handling. Those offhand stares came from Winter Haven City Commissioners and Polk County […]

Bill RuftyMay 24, 2016

A fundraiser for Sam Killebrew, Republican primary candidate for Florida House District 41, is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday at the home of Harriet and Dean Boring, 2112 Hawthorne Trail, in Lakeland. Killebrew, retired contractor and a GOP fundraiser and activist, is competing with retired appellate Judge Charles Davis for the party’s nomination. The winner […]

Bill RuftyFebruary 15, 2016

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Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith, a Lake Alfred Republican, has pulled out of the Republican Primary for Florida House District 41, and has entered the nonpartisan race for Polk County School Board against incumbent Dick Mullenax. Smith said his decision to switch to run for a local office is based “solidly on the health of […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 20, 2016

Ed Smith has gathered enough petition signatures to qualify for the House District 41 race, the Bartow Republican announced Wednesday. “The campaign has got momentum,” Smith said. “I thank everyone who signed a card for me and I have enjoyed meeting new friends along the way.” The former Winter Haven police officer is the first […]

Drew WilsonOctober 15, 2015

A second Democrat has filed for the House District 41 seat currently held by term limited Winter Haven Republican John Wood. If he makes the ballot, 23-year-old University of Pennsylvania student Nicolas Garcia will face off against retired judge Robert Doyel in the Democratic primary, while three Republicans duke it out for the GOP nod. […]

Bill RuftySeptember 22, 2015

Former 10th Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Doyel officially filed late last week to run as a Democrat for the Florida House. House District 41 is within eastern Polk County. Doyel is the fourth candidate to open a campaign account for the seat being vacated by Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican, who will reach his […]

Bill RuftySeptember 1, 2015

A third Republican and likely to be the fourth candidate overall seeking the vacant Florida House District 41 next year filed his qualification papers Tuesday. Retired 2nd District Court of Appeal Judge Charlie Davis filed to run as a Republican for the east Polk County House seat that will be left vacant by Rep. John […]

Tag: House District 41

Bill Rufty: House District 41 candidates going for the money

Bill Rufty: A political rarity in HD 41 – Republican, Democrat agree

Bill Rufty: Polk becoming a two-Party county?

Bill Rufty: New HD 41 legislator will have a heavy task with Nora Mayo Hall

HD 41 candidate Sam Killebrew to hold Lakeland fundraiser Thursday

Ed Smith leaves Florida House race for school board

Ed Smith submits enough signatures to qualify for HD 41 race

2nd Democrat files in HD 41, faces Judge Robert Doyle in primary

Robert Doyel makes it a race in HD 41

Bill Rufty: A 4th candidate for HD 41