Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersSeptember 23, 2016

A fairly new organization combining gay rights and gun law concerns that was inspired into existence by the June 12 Pulse massacre in Orlando, the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC, has endorsed Linda Stewart, Beth Tuura and Carlos Guillermo Smith in state races. All the endorsements have gone to Democrats. Stewart is running for […]

Scott PowersAugust 8, 2016

Susannah Randolph is the only Central Florida congressional candidate to get endorsed by the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida and Rick Roach the only Florida Senate candidate from the Orlando area. The group also endorsed both Florida House Democrats running in the House District 48 race, Amy Mercado and Alex Barrio; and also backed Carlos Guillermo […]

Scott PowersJuly 1, 2016

Democratic candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith got through the candidate filing period with no primary opponent and only an independent waiting in the November election for Florida House District 49, but still had a nice campaign finance haul in June. Smith’s campaign reported raising $9,051 in the June period ending June 24, and spent $5,690, leaving him with […]

Scott PowersJune 2, 2016

Democrat Carlos Guillermo Smith‘s campaign raised more than $15,000 in May for his run in Orlando-based House District 49, making him one of the first House candidates to top the $100,000 campaign finance mark. A year after Smith formally entered the race — Republican incumbent state Rep. Rene Plasencia decided to switch to House District 50 — […]

Mitch PerryMay 12, 2016

House District 49 Democratic candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith is calling for a statewide decriminalization of marijuana, following the passage of similar measures in other municipalities in Florida over the past year. Smith made the declaration while testifying before the Orlando City Council on Monday, which was debating a local ordinance which calls for fining individuals found to be in possession […]

Scott PowersMay 9, 2016

Democratic House District 49 candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith raised $13,755 in April, one of the biggest hauls in any Central Florida state House race. Smith attributed the impressive total, his biggest month since he announced his candidacy last June, to momentum from his work as an advocate in Tallahassee during the 2016 Legislative Session, and support […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 3, 2016

Carlos Guillermo Smith has received enough signatures to secure a spot on the ballot. Smith announced Tuesday he received enough verified signatures to qualify for the House District 49 race. The first-time candidate said he was able to get the signatures needed after launching regularly scheduled volunteer canvassing events at the restaurant Lechonera Latina. “The […]

Drew WilsonApril 26, 2016

A no-party affiliated candidate has filed to run against Democrat Carlos Smith and Republican Amber Mariano in House District 49. Shea Silverman, a one-time intern for former state Senator and current U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, filed for the Orlando-based House seat April 14. Silverman currently works as a developer for the Center for Distributed Learning […]

Drew WilsonMarch 17, 2016

One of Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia’s interns has filed to run in House District 49, setting up a battle between two young aspiring politicians in the Orange County seat. Amber Mariano filed paperwork to run for the seat as a Republican Monday, joining Democrat Carlos Guillermo Smith, who worked as former Rep. Joe Saunders’ chief […]

Tag: House District 49
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Pride Fund endorses Linda Stewart, Beth Tuura and Carlos Guillermo Smith in state races

Susannah Randolph, Rick Roach get progressive Democrats’ backing

Carlos Guillermo Smith continues solid fundraising in HD 49

Carlos Guillermo Smith announces $15K haul in May for HD 49 race

HD 49 Dem candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith calls for statewide marijuana decriminalization

Carlos Guillermo Smith raises more than $13K in April for his HD 49 race

Carlos Guillermo Smith receives enough signatures to qualify in HD 49

Carlos Smith, Amber Mariano draw NPA challenger in HD 49 race

Rene Plasencia’s intern files in HD 49 race