Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 14, 2018

Democrats’ voter registration gains in greater Orlando is spelling bigger challenges for several Republicans running in GOP-held Florida House seats. It includes state Reps. Mike La Rosa and Bob Cortes, whose districts are turning bluer as they seek re-elections this fall. In many ways, Central Florida mirrors statewide trends in the era of President Donald […]

Drew WilsonJuly 31, 2018

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A joint fundraiser for four Central Florida Republicans is set for Wednesday evening at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. The 5:30 p.m. reception will benefit the re-election accounts of Altamonte Springs Rep. Bob Cortes, Winter Garden Rep. Robert “Bobby O” Olszewski, Longwood Rep. Scott Plakon and Orlando Rep. Rene Plasencia. The four incumbents will […]

Staff ReportsJuly 10, 2018

An allegation that a former Rene Plasencia campaign staffer downloaded private campaign data and took it with him to a GOP rival was turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Plasencia’s campaign manager said Tuesday. But Acacia Baker also told Florida Politics that FDLE agents “acknowledged that information was obviously accessed, but without a signed confidentiality agreement or […]

Staff ReportsJuly 10, 2018

A former campaign volunteer for Rene Plasencia is seeking an apology from the state representative after the Orlando Republican accused him of downloading campaign data and taking it with him to a GOP rival. George Collins is challenging Plasencia, first elected in 2014, for the House District 50 seat. “Although my counsel has advised me I have […]

Scott PowersJune 22, 2018

Ten seats in Central Florida’s portion of the Florida House of Representatives will have primaries on August 28, with four Republican and six Democratic in-party battles set by Friday’s ballot qualifying. The big primary battles among Republicans are preparing for two open seats now held by Republicans, and among the Democrats for four places where […]

Scott PowersJune 21, 2018

Business Voice of Florida’s Space Coast has endorsed the re-elections of state Sen. Dorothy Hukill and state Reps. Rene Plasencia and Thad Altman in Brevard County districts, the organization announced. Those endorsements are in addition to the previously announced nod toward Tyler Sirois for the open seat for House District 51. All four are Republicans and all […]

Scott PowersMarch 16, 2018

Republican state Rep. Rene “Coach P” Plasencia‘s re-election effort has drawn endorsements from a half-dozen Brevard County and municipal leaders including Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Plasencia’s campaign announced Friday. His Florida House District 50 covers part of east Orange County and much of north Brevard County, including the city of Titusville. A former former […]

Scott PowersFebruary 13, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith picked up his campaign-fundraising pace in early January for his 2018 re-election effort in Florida House District 49, bringing in nearly $24,000 even as his only opponent dropped out of the race. Smith, of Orlando, reported that his campaign raised $23,838 in the first eight days of January prior […]

Peter SchorschJuly 5, 2017

Republican Rene Plasencia picked up a Democratic challenger this week in his 2018 House District 50 re-election campaign. Recent college graduate Kyle Walcott filed for the Orlando seat June 28 and, so far, is the only candidate running against Plasencia, who shifted over to HD 50 in 2016. In an interview with LobbyTools, Walcott said […]

Scott PowersSeptember 2, 2016

Many of Central Florida’s November election contests likely were decided in Tuesday’s primary, because of the strong partisan leans of voters or the apparent mismatches of nominees, but there are a few that will be worth watching this fall if for no other reason than absolute entertainment. Reflecting the gains Democrats have made in voter […]

Tag: House District 50

Voter registration trends suggest tougher races for Mike La Rosa, Bob Cortes

Central Florida lawmakers raising re-election cash Wednesday night

Rene Plasencia campaign fires back over data theft allegation

Former Rene Plasencia campaign worker denies taking info to rival

Ten Central Florida house seats set for primaries August 28

Space Coast Business Force endorses Rene Plasencia, Thad Altman, Dorothy Hukill

Rene Plasencia draws endorsements from Titusville, Brevard, Cape Canaveral leaders

Carlos Smith tops Orange County legislative candidates, raising $23K

Rene Plasencia draws Democratic challenge in HD 50 re-election bid

Previewing the hot general election campaigns in Central Florida