Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineNovember 30, 2018

Attorneys for the Florida Senate and federal government agreed Friday to seek an expedited trip to a federal appeals court regarding its sovereign immunity defense against a legislative aide’s sexual harassment claim. That might ameliorate what an attorney for the chamber called the “distinct, irreparable harm” to its dignity as a legislative body forced to […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 27, 2018

For the second straight year, Northeast Florida Republican Rob Bradley will chair the Senate Appropriations Committee. With Rep. Travis Cummings chairing the House’s budget panel, that means Clay County has two lawmakers overseeing statewide spending decisions for the 2019 Legislative Session. Bradley replaced Jack Latvala ahead of the 2018 Legislative Session, when the Clearwater Republican quit the Senate amid sexual misconduct […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Former State Representative Ed Hooper narrowly beat Amanda Murphy in an upset for the “blue wave” Democrats were hoping for. Hooper won 52 to 48 percent in the race for Senate District 16. Murphy issued a statement concession statement about an hour after the polls closed Tuesday evening. “I want to thank our incredible team […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 1, 2018

State Rep. Chris Latvala is not taking any chances, but feels good about his re-election campaign. “We’re working hard and we have been for months,” Latvala said. “This is considered a swing district so I’ve never taken anything for granted.” Latvala’s House District 67 encompasses north Pinellas, including parts of Clearwater. The Republican incumbent is running […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 23, 2018

Local Republican candidates in state legislative races won’t be showing up to a candidate forum Wednesday hosted by ReThinkEnergy Florida, the First Street Foundation, Oceana and the League of Women Voters. The coalition of groups is hosting an environmental forum at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Clearwater Wednesday at 6 p.m. to discuss sea level […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 22, 2018

Republican Ed Hooper continues to out-raise his Democratic opponent, Amanda Murphy, in the battle to replace former state Sen. Jack Latvala for Senate District 16 (north Pinellas County). Hooper has raised more than $1.1 million between his campaign and affiliated political committee. Murphy has raised just $445,000 between her campaign and Taxpayers for Responsible Government […]

Drew WilsonOctober 19, 2018

Former Republican Rep. Ed Hooper and Former Democratic Rep. Amanda Murphy are locked in a dogfight according to a new poll of the race for open Senate District 16 seat. The St. Pete Polls survey, conducted Oct. 18, found Hopper leading Murphy by a basket 19 days out from the election, 48-46 percent with 6 […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 16, 2018

Former state Rep. Ed Hooper grew his campaign and committee coffers to more than $900,000 during the most recent campaign finance reporting period, covering Sept. 29-Oct. 5. The Republican state Senate candidate’s fundraising more than doubles his opponent’s: Amanda Murphy’s campaign and affiliated committees together have brought in $393,000. Hooper’s campaign raised $48,000 during the latest reporting […]

Staff ReportsOctober 16, 2018

A federal judge has set a hearing for next Tuesday in the state Senate‘s lawsuit to put an end to an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigation into a top aide’s sexual harassment and retaliation claims. Rachel Perrin Rogers, chief assistant to Senate Republican Leader and future Senate President Wilton Simpson, says former Sen. Jack Latvala repeatedly groped her and made unwelcome comments about […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerSeptember 30, 2018

While the nation was fixated on the drama surrounding Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, Floridians were reminded this week that they have their own Supreme Court controversy in triplicate. Gov. Rick Scott reasserted his claim in court that he has the power, before he leaves office in January, to appoint replacements for […]

Tag: Jack Latvala

No ruling in Rachel Perrin Rogers case before Monday

Back again: Rob Bradley returns to chair Senate Appropriations

Ed Hooper puts breaks on ‘blue wave’ in Amanda Murphy upset

Chris Latvala’s not expecting to ‘shellack’ his opponent

Republican candidates say ‘nope’ to local environmental forum

The money race: Ed Hooper double-plus over Amanda Murphy

Ed Hooper leads Amanda Murphy by a hair in SD 16 dogfight

Ed Hooper rakes in corporate cash for SD 16 bid

State Senate now suing to stop federal harassment probe

Forget Brett Kavanaugh; Florida facing its own ‘Supreme’ drama — in triplicate