Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 26, 2016

Robert and Nancy Watkins may be the two most essential players in Florida’s political universe. Through their South Tampa accounting firm moves tens, if not hundreds, of millions in political contributions and expenditures. Nancy is the treasurer for dozens of candidates and committees, including Conservative Solutions PAC, the most prominent super PAC supporting Marco Rubio’s bid for the White House. Among […]

Peter SchorschOctober 16, 2014

If the election for Florida governor were held today, less than 24 hours after Fangate or Fanghazi, it’s likely Democrat Charlie Crist would win his old job back. Not by much, but by the few points afforded to him by Republican Rick Scott’s for-the-history-books petulance. Or maybe not. Maybe there just aren’t enough undecided voters […]

Guest AuthorAugust 26, 2014

Floridians voted yesterday. But it hardly mattered. Worse than gerrymandered, Florida’s voting districts have now been “terrymandered,” thanks to Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis. The whole sordid affair is enough to make a manic-depressive out of all Floridians who care about clean government. For a euphoric nanosecond, it looked like Florida was about to enjoy […]

Peter SchorschJuly 2, 2014

In a one-two punch from the Tampa Bay Times, columnists John Romano and Daniel Ruth both blame the lack of competitive legislative races this election cycle on the redistricting process. They believe gerrymandering has turned the system into an anti-Democratic incumbent protection plan. There’s no denying the lack of competitive (never mind interesting) legislative races […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 2, 2014

With a Florida Chamber of Commerce poll last week showing strong support for the proposed conservation lands amendment, the question lingers whether there will be organized opposition? Amendment 1 would earmark one-third of documentary stamp tax revenue for 20 years to the state Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Supporters say the amendment is needed because state […]

Mark FerruloJune 1, 2014

Secret meetings. Deleted emails. Hiding documents from the public. Perhaps nothing exemplifies Florida’s “Government in the Shadows” under Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican Party of Florida more than the ongoing legal battle over redistricting. The redistricting trial is exposing the partisan hijinks and shady backroom conniving that enabled Republican leaders to pick their voters […]

Daniel TilsonApril 21, 2014

The fast-approaching, official end of the Florida legislative session is known as “Sine Die.” That’s Latin. It means the legislature adjourns with no fixed date for future meetings. True to form, when the respective House and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms stand side by side in the Capitol Rotunda on May 2 and drop their white hankies signifying […]

Tag: House Speaker Will Weatherford
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Peter Schorsch: Politicos watch parade — of candidates in 2016 races

Peter Schorsch: The two worst days of Gov. Rick Scott’s re-election campaign

Stephen Goldstein: Florida Republicans celebrate death of democracy

Peter Schorsch: Don’t blame gerrymandering for lack of competitive races

Bruce Ritchie: Will there be any opposition to the conservation amendment?

Mark Ferrulo: Government in the shadows, not the sunshine

Daniel Tilson: ‘Live And Let Die’ legislators