Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressDecember 15, 2015

Republican presidential candidates take the debate stage Tuesday night for the first time in a month, their race reshaped by national security threats but still dominated by outsider contenders. Now it’s Ted Cruz challenging front-runner Donald Trump. Trump will once again be standing at center stage, reflecting the billionaire businessman’s surprising dominance in the GOP […]

Associated PressDecember 15, 2015

Florida’s presidential primary ballot will feature 13 Republican candidates and three Democratic ones. Monday was the deadline for candidates to ask to have their name removed from the March primary ballot. Bobby Jindal, who suspended his presidential campaign in November, was the only candidate who asked to be dropped from the ballot. Florida Republican voters […]

Associated PressDecember 15, 2015

The Republican establishment has flexed its muscle in New Hampshire’s presidential primaries for years. But in the unpredictable 2016 election, the state’s standard political playbook faces challenges on two fronts. Donald Trump‘s brash brand of populism is resonating with voters, and he’s sustained a commanding lead in statewide preference polls for months. While several experienced […]

Mitch PerryDecember 15, 2015

After the third GOP presidential debate in late October, I wrote in this space after Marco Rubio received plaudits for his effort if it would translate into votes. A couple of weeks later, after the fourth debate in Milwaukee, the conventional wisdom from pundits was that it was time that Rubio and Ted Cruz were […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 14, 2015

The 2016 presidential race hasn’t had any official votes yet. But as things are shaping up for two candidates with Florida ties – Jeb Bush and Donald Trump – the contest already has bearing on at least two constitutional issues. They are whether contributing money to candidates is a form of protected free speech; and […]

Associated PressDecember 13, 2015

Less than a mile from the state Capitol, a former steakhouse shows little evidence that it was once part of a movement to change Florida’s schools. It was on this location nearly two decades ago that the leader of a prominent Tallahassee church put together one of the state’s first charter schools. The space where […]

Mitch PerryDecember 13, 2015

Despite the support from more major donors and the so-called GOP establishment, Marco Rubio‘s campaign doesn’t appear to be doing much in Iowa, site of the first caucuses next year. The Florida senator remains in fourth place in Iowa, according a poll released Sunday. The big story in the Des Moines Register is the rise of Texas Sen. […]

Thomas BeaumontDecember 12, 2015

Jeb Bush stared across the Londonderry Senior Center in disbelief. A voter at his town hall had just told him she’d read the candidate’s 3,000-word tax plan. “The fact that you read it makes me feel so pleased – even if you didn’t like it,” Bush said, unsuccessfully holding back a grin. It was the […]

Phil AmmannDecember 11, 2015

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without the highly awaited holiday greetings from Southern Strategy Group, Tallahassee’s foremost lobbying house. Every year, the SSG Christmas card offers a fun take on the year’s biggest political stories, something always guaranteed to bring a buzz – not to mention a few snickers – throughout Florida’s Capitol. And […]

Associated PressDecember 11, 2015

Republican voters don’t think Donald Trump is likable. They don’t think he’s compassionate. And many don’t consider him particularly honest. But he’s overwhelmingly viewed as decisive and competent. And that’s what matters most — at least for now — to Republicans. A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds that 8 in 10 Republican registered voters call […]

Tag: Jeb Bush

Republicans to take debate stage in race reshaped by attacks

Florida primary ballot set: 13 Republicans, 3 Democrats

New Hampshire GOP leaders fret over crowded 2016 field

Mitch Perry Report for 12.15.15 – Vegas, baby, Vegas!

Jac VerSteeg: Picture Donald Trump at the head of an army

State gave charter schools millions before they closed

Marco Rubio in 4th place in Iowa in new poll

Fading in 2016 race, Jeb Bush won’t budge from policy focus

Southern Strategy Group “trumps” the holidays with annual Christmas card

Republican voters on Donald Trump: no compassion, no problem