Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 30, 2015

2015 was supposed to be the year that the Florida Legislature authorized funding to replenish its depleted film tax incentives package, allowing the Sunshine State to compete with Louisiana, Georgia and other Southeastern states in getting its fair share of movie and television production work. It didn’t happen. Despite the reshaping of the incentives and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 24, 2015

There’s no question that over the past two decades that Florida has become one of the biggest swing-states in the nation that can ultimately determine who our next president is. It may not be the swing-state (arguably you could call Ohio the ultimate swing-state), but it’s crucially important, especially for the Republican Party. Like political […]

Ryan RaySeptember 23, 2015

It’s not exactly the “Eyeball Wars” of yesteryear, but on Wedneday Sen. Jack Latvala waded into the fraught world of vision care. Latvala’s just-filed SB 340 is a move similar to a bill from the 2015 Legislative Session in that it’s designed to prevent the concentration of too much control by insurers over access to eye and vision care. […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 23, 2015

Earlier this year, a Florida GOP lawmaker made an immature, offensive, possibly racist comment on Twitter about two black legislators. Meanwhile, another Florida GOP lawmaker told a gathering of Republican activists that the key to defeating Corrine Brown, a black Jacksonville Democrat, was to boost the number of black prisoners in her north Florida congressional district. Guess which […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 23, 2015

Although it may never come to pass, a redrawn Senate District 20 that would have Pinellas County Republicans Jack Latvala and Jeff Brandes competing against each other shows that Latvala would come out on top, and it wouldn’t be close. The St. Pete Poll survey shows that Latvala would defeat Brandes in a primary, 48-23 percent. Nearly […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 16, 2015

There was a battle of arithmetic Wednesday between state senators and the head of the state’s economic development agency as he argued for millions in new funding. Bill Johnson, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, appeared before the Senate’s Commerce and Tourism committee. It was his first appearance since Senate President Andy Gardiner took his […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 14, 2015

Political committees for top Senate Republicans have started to bring in cash again after the trio of sessions kept a lock on fundraising for most of the past five months. Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala’s political committee, Florida Leadership Committee, brought in the most money last month with a $251,000 performance, though there was still plenty […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 10, 2015

The committee supporting Republican Sen. Jack Latvala’s bid for the senate presidency brought in more than $250,000 in contributions following an explosion of activity in the closing week of August. More than $200,000 of the $251,659 raised by Florida Leadership Committee came through in the final seven days of the month. The flurry of donations […]

Ryan RaySeptember 10, 2015

Palm Beach Commissioner Melissa McKinlay announced Thursday she will raise money for her congressional campaign in Tampa this weekend – and she’ll be joined by some serious local Democratic brass. Five-term Tampa Congresswoman Kathy Castor will address attendees at the brunch event Saturday morning in support of McKinlay, who is seeking the 18th Congressional District seat left open by […]

Ryan RaySeptember 8, 2015

Bay County Commissioner George Gainer made his 2016 Tallahassee intentions formal on Tuesday. The Northwest Florida pol filed the necessary paperwork to seek the state Senate seat held by term-limited former Senate President Don Gaetz. The move sets up what could be a momentous Republican primary battle there, as third-term Rep. Matt Gaetz also seeks the […]

Tag: Jack Latvala
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Mitch Perry Report for 9.30.15 – Ybor and Florida lose out to Georgia in Hollywood production

Mitch Perry Report for 9.24.15 – Will the RPOF gamble on having a meaningful primary election?

Jack Latvala seeks to open up vision care market

Y’all better give Janet Adkins as much sh*t as you did Matt Gaetz

Jack Latvala would crush Jeff Brandes in speculative SD 20 race

Enterprise Florida and lawmakers still disagree over funding

Top Senate Republicans bring in committee cash for August

After burst of activity, Jack Latvala committee brings in $250K for Aug.

Melissa McKinlay set to appear with Kathy Castor at Tampa fundraiser

George Gainer jumps in for 2016, setting up primary clash against Matt Gaetz