Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 27, 2016

Observers of the state Legislature in Tallahassee will recall the backlash that ensued after the Florida House passed a measure last year that effectively codified existing law that same-sex couples could adopt. The bill, sponsored by Miami Beach Democrat Dave Richardson, ultimately made it through the Senate, but not before there was another measure sponsored […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 26, 2016

State lawmakers are taking steps to update Florida’s 2-year-old THC cannabis law during the 2016 Legislative Session. The state passed the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act in 2014. It allows patients to take a low-THC cannabis with the permission of their doctor. Supporters of the 2014 effort said it could help children with epilepsy and patients […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2016

The year 2015 ended with little competitive balance in campaign money among Central Florida candidates running for Florida House of Representatives seats as incumbents, when they have any competition at all yet. One exception, in Seminole County’s House District 30 has incumbent Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes raising more than $101,000 for his campaign. Yet […]

Scott PowersJanuary 7, 2016

The renumbering of Florida Senate seats is changing timetables on political ambitions. Among the potential changes to partisan matchups is the possibility state Sen. David Simmons might draw a primary challenge from state Rep. Jason Brodeur. Brodeur, a Republican from Sanford, has been contemplating running for Simmons’ seat in 2018 when they’re both term-limited out of […]

Phil AmmannNovember 13, 2015

A coalition of Florida retailers and business owners are reaffirming “unwavering support” for the effort to repeal the state’s Prohibition-era alcohol separation law. In an announcement Friday, Floridians for Fair Business Practices (FFBP) doubled down on its support for “free market and pro-business values” while blasting opponents, who they claim are using “false arguments on […]

Mitch PerryNovember 11, 2015

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Like his fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate race, Carlos Lopez-Cantera will be appearing this weekend at the Republican Party of Florida’s Sunshine Summit, but unlike his opponents, he’ll have a a number of Orlando-area lawmakers by his side supporting him. The lieutenant governor announced endorsements from nine Central Florida Republicans on Wednesday. They are: […]

Ryan RayOctober 21, 2015

Rep. Julio Gonzalez filed his first bill of the 2016 legislative year on Wednesday, and it was a doozy: a proposal to give immunity to certain businesses that don’t want to render certain services on grounds of “religious freedom,” including private child-placement agencies. Specifically, the bill amends the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1998” to read that […]

Frank TorresOctober 6, 2015

At the Tuesday morning meeting of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, Mayor Teresa Jacobs slammed a bill sponsored by State Rep. Bob Cortes to expand the Central Florida Transportation Authority Board and privatize the LYNX regional bus system. “I am vehemently against privatizing,” Jacobs had said. “This board is against it. Buddy Dyer is against it. Osceola county […]

Frank TorresOctober 5, 2015

College professor Steve Edmonds told FloridaPolitics.com Monday afternoon he is leaving the Libertarian Party of Florida and will run under No Party Affiliation in House District 28. “I’ve notified the County Supervisor of Elections of my intentions to switch from Libertarian to No Party of Affiliation” said Edmonds. “I’ve come to the conclusion that the […]

Frank TorresOctober 5, 2015

Businessman Dave Leavitt, Libertarian candidate for Florida House District 29, announced Monday morning that he will withdraw from the race and join the Republican Party. “I believe very strongly in the principles of limited government and protecting our liberties,” Leavitt said in a statement. “However, after talking to hundreds of voters and spending 3 months on […]

Tag: Jason Brodeur
Image via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 1.27.16 – “Pastor Protection Act” moves through state Senate

Proposal to “clean up” Florida’s medical marijuana law clears House panel

Bob Cortes’ impressive campaign cash haul almost matched by Ryan Yadav’s self-loans

Senate seat renumbering has Jason Brodeur eyeing primary against David Simmons

Retailers, business owners reaffirm call to repeal Florida “wall of alcohol separation”

Carlos Lopez-Cantera rolls out nods from 9 Central Florida Republicans

“Religious freedom” bill to prevent gay adoptions refiled for 2016

Bob Cortes responds to Teresa Jacobs criticism of LYNX privatization bill

Steve Edmonds to leave Libertarian Party and run NPA in HD 28

Dave Leavitt bows out of HD 29 race, joins GOP