Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiNovember 28, 2017

Rep. Paul Renner, a Republican representing Palm Coast, will speak in Jacksonville Wednesday afternoon at the Southside Business Men’s Club. Renner, a Jacksonville lawyer, is in line to become House Speaker in 2022 — a long-awaited return to power in Tallahassee for the Jacksonville political class, which still yearns for the days of Jim King and John Thrasher. […]

Jim RosicaNovember 20, 2017

The state’s Senate President and House Speaker could get an indirect say over judicial appointments—including state Supreme Court justices—under legislation filed Monday. The bill (HB 753), filed by Pensacola state Rep. Frank White—also a 2018 GOP candidate for attorney general—would allow the top Senate and House leaders to appoint people to judicial nominating commissions (JNCs), the […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2017

Even after meeting dozens of times throughout the 2017 Legislative Session, the House GOP freshman caucus failed to adopt new rules on how to pick a leader. A caucus to ratify rules — drafted by Reps. Ralph Massullo and Michael Grant — to guide the freshman class’s decision-making process met Friday during a break in the […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

With all but an OMG! reference, House Democratic Leader Pro-Tempore Bobby DuBose has challenged House Speaker Richard Corcoran to share anything he has to back up claims that terrorists have likely infiltrated Muslim refugees in Florida. DuBose sent a letter Tuesday to Corcoran and copied several key Republican lawmakers urging the speaker to “share with […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 10, 2017

A Senate bill filed this week would create a task force to address the state’s affordable housing needs. The bill (SB 854), filed Friday by Sen. Jeff Brandes, would create an affordable housing task force assigned to the Florida Housing Finance Corp. According to the St. Petersburg Republican’s proposal, the task force would be charged […]

Jim RosicaNovember 21, 2016

As expected, Florida House Republicans Monday formally nominated state Rep. Richard Corcoran as the House Speaker for the next two years. The chamber’s GOP majority met the day before the Legislature’s biennial Organization Session, where he will be officially selected. Republican Leader Ray Rodrigues nominated Corcoran, with a second from Pasco County’s Chris Sprowls, the likely Speaker for 2020-22. The […]

Drew WilsonJune 28, 2016

House District 21 candidate Chuck Clemons announced Tuesday he has picked up endorsements from the past three speakers of the Florida House. Former Republican House Speakers Larry Cretul, Dean Cannon and Will Weatherford backed Clemons’ campaign in the Gainesville-based seat currently held by Republican Rep. Keith Perry, who is running for Senate in the newly […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 13, 2016

Chris Sprowls is busting into the national spotlight. GOPAC, a political committee that aims to build a “healthy roster of prepared and tested Republican leaders ready to run for higher office,” named Sprowls one the 2016 Class of Emerging Leaders. The annual list recognizes legislators for their potential and ability to impact their state. The […]

Peter SchorschMarch 27, 2016

Another year passes, and another Rick Scott Chief of Staff is out the door. The Governor’s office announced last week that Kim McDougal will succeed Melissa Sellers in the top staff position, making McDougal Scott’s fifth CoS in six years. Which makes us wonder: Where are they now? Mike Prendergast, a retired Army colonel, moved over to become Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, […]

Peter SchorschMarch 11, 2016

It’s over. Officially. The contest between Orlando’s Eric Eisnaugle and Pinellas Chris Sprowls to serve as Speaker of the Florida House beginning in 2021 ended Friday evening, just hours after the 2016 Legislative Session came to a fitful conclusion. According to three sources, Eisnaugle personally conceded to Sprowls, who just the day before won over the support […]

Tag: House Speaker

Paul Renner to speak in Jacksonville Wednesday

Legislative leaders could get influence over judicial appointments

House GOP freshmen fail to adopt rules for Speaker’s race, putting leadership battle into chaos

Bobby DuBose challenges Richard Corcoran’s ‘terrorists’ comments

Jeff Brandes files bill to create affordable housing task force

Fla. House GOP nominates Richard Corcoran as speaker

Chuck Clemons picks up endorsements from past Florida House Speakers

Chris Sprowls named as one of GOPAC’s 2016 Emerging Leaders

Peter Schorsch: Five big stories in Tallahassee last week

Speaker’s race is over as Eric Eisnaugle concedes to Chris Sprowls, releases pledges