Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 17, 2017

In an interview last week with FloridaPolitics.com, Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, blasted Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary. Weingarten compared DeVos’ zeal for school-choice vouchers on par with what former Gov. Jeb Bush was all about during his reign in Florida. Debbie Wasserman Schultz agrees. Hours before DeVos is […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 13, 2017

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, whose bid for the presidency was derailed by businessman and eventual winner Donald Trump, says it’s unlikely he’ll ever run for office again. Bush, who is spending two weeks at a Texas A&M University teaching a course on the role of governors, said Thursday that he’s focused on building up […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2017

Though education was rarely discussed by Donald Trump on the campaign trail, at the top of his list of priorities was to spend $20 million on school choice, which would come from “reprioritizing federal dollars.” In picking Michigan billionaire Betsy DeVos to serve as his Education Secretary, he made it clear that intended to make school […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 9, 2017

…Well probably not, but he is going to guest lecture for former Gov. Jeb Bush. Fineout, a Capitol Press Corps fixture, posted Monday on his Facebook page he was heading to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas later this week. That’s where he’ll be “a guest speaker” at the university’s Bush School of Government and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 4, 2017

Rob Johnson, a long-time, respected policy advisor and legislative affairs director, has left the Attorney General’s Office to join The Mayernick Group. “The Mayernick Group is excited that Rob is joining as a partner in our firm,” said Frank Mayernick in a statement. “We have experienced significant growth and know that as a well-respected professional, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 31, 2016

Everyone expected Florida to play an important role in politics this year. And why wouldn’t they? Presidential hopefuls hailed from here; the state’s electoral votes were coveted; and its Senate race could have determined control of the U.S. Senate. But just like many predictions in 2016, some of the prophecies for Florida’s outsized role on […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2016

From algebra to Zika, 2016 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year. In (kind of) chronological order: — Kevin McCarty ousted as state Insurance Commissioner, replaced by […]

Florence SnyderDecember 26, 2016

Like a teenager who wants Daddy’s money, but not Daddy’s directives, Gov. Rick Scott is not embarrassed to throw tantrums when the feds fail to pony-up fast enough whenever it rains, even as he sticks his fingers in his ears at unwanted advice like “try rolling up your windows.” Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) director Craig […]

Joe HendersonDecember 22, 2016

I think Will Weatherford’s just-announced decision not to run for governor in 2018 merely delays the inevitable. I believe he will be Florida’s governor eventually, and that will be a good thing. Weatherford, the Land O’Lakes Republican, is a smart, articulate, center-right conservative in the Jeb Bush tradition. He has a strong legislative resume, including […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 21, 2016

Erin Gaetz is paving her own way, but don’t expect her to veer too far from the family business. Gaetz, the 31-year-old daughter of former Senate President Don Gaetz and sister of Congressman-elect Matt Gaetz, recently launched her own digital content firm, Southpaw Content. The firm specializes in producing faster, more engaging and less expensive […]

Tag: Jeb Bush

Debbie Wasserman Schultz says Betsy DeVos will take U.S. schools down a path of failure ‘Florida knows all too well’

Jeb Bush unlikely to run for office again

Randi Weingarten doesn’t share Jeb Bush embrace of Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary

Will Gary Fineout leave reporting for academia?

Personnel note: Rob Johnson exits AG’s office for The Mayernick Group

Infamous dates: The moments that shaped Florida politics in 2016

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories in 2016

Craig Fugate fumes while Florida sinks in a sea of bulls**t!

Will Weatherford’s decision enhances, not removes, future options

Erin Gaetz launches her own digital content firm