Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 15, 2018

Hillsborough School Board member Susan Valdes, now running for House District 62, slammed Democratic primary opponent Mike Alvarez Thursday for running a negative campaign. At issue is Valdes’ resign-to-run letter. A new law signed by Gov. Rick Scott earlier this year requires elected officials to turn in a resignation letter for their current office 10 days […]

Drew WilsonJune 14, 2018

Representing more than 500 labor unions and 1 million Florida workers, the Florida AFL-CIO announced Thursday it’s backing House Minority Leader Janet Cruz in her bid to unseat incumbent Republican Dana Young in Senate District 18. “We need a fighter for workers in Tallahassee — to lower health care costs, raise wages, and make sure the […]

Drew WilsonJune 13, 2018

Susan Valdes’ resignation from the Hillsborough School Board may not have been above-board, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by one of her Democratic primary opponents in House District 62. As previously reported, Valdes’ resignation from the District 1 School Board seat came in late and was initially rejected by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections […]

Drew WilsonJune 13, 2018

There’s something fishy going on at Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections office, says one Democratic consultant. As previously reported, Susan Valdes is eyeing a run for the Florida House, for the seat being vacated by Janet Cruz. In preparation for a bid for House District 62, Valdes resigned her seat on the Hillsborough County School Board just […]

Drew WilsonJune 11, 2018

House Minority Leader Janet Cruz boasted a $78,975 haul in her second set of fundraising reports since entering the Senate District 18 race but was again overshadowed by Republican Sen. Dana Young, whose reports show $203,550 raised. “I’m so energized by the outpouring of support and investment in the most flippable seat in the state. […]

Staff ReportsJune 10, 2018

Hillsborough County School Board member Susan Valdes is laying the groundwork to run for the House District 62 seat. Patrick Manteiga of La Gaceta is reporting that Valdes resigned her seat Friday, to take effect November 6, the day of the general election. “It’s our understanding that her school board seat will be open for qualifying with […]

Drew WilsonJune 1, 2018

May finance reports aren’t due for more than a week, but preliminary numbers show Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young had already raised $169,500 for an affiliated political committee as of May 24. The in-progress report for her challenger, House Minority Leader Janet Cruz, shows just $3,000 in committee cash for the month. According to the […]

Drew WilsonMay 29, 2018

Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young has earned the backing of four police unions in her bid for another term in Senate District 18. “Dana cares deeply about the safety of our students, and since Day One, it was clear that she is someone who is not afraid of getting out of her comfort zone to do […]

Peter SchorschMay 21, 2018

No one is surprised that guns are the big political issue in Florida this year. With a deadly school shooting this week in Santa Fe, Texas, and the Parkland tragedy in February, guns and school safety are assured to be at the forefront in both Florida and nationwide for 2018. The best evidence of this […]

Drew WilsonMay 16, 2018

The state’s largest teacher union announced Wednesday that it is backing House Minority Leader Janet Cruz in her bid to unseat Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young in Senate District 18. “Rep. Janet Cruz has been a tireless champion for our educators, students, and parents,” said Florida Education Association President Joanne McCall. “While Republicans, including Senator […]

Tag: Janet Cruz

Susan Valdes sidesteps special treatment allegations, refers questions to attorney

Florida AFL-CIO backs Janet Cruz for SD 18

Mike Alvarez weighs in on Susan Valdes resignation controversy

Hillsborough elections supervisor played favorites with Susan Valdes

Dana Young more than doubles Janet Cruz in May fundraising

Hillsborough School Board member Susan Valdes considers run for HD 62

Dana Young’s committee previews another six-figure fundraising month

Police unions laud Dana Young as a ‘tireless advocate’ for law enforcement

Janet Cruz’s school safety vote is the kind of vote that could haunt Democrats in November

Teacher union touts Janet Cruz as ‘tireless champion’