Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallFebruary 10, 2015

A big foot can make noise and Jeb Bush is starting to make noise. About 300 people attended a Right to Rise PAC fundraiser Tuesday, sponsored by some of Tallahassee’s leading lobbying firms and featuring the former Florida governor. Bush a nascent presidential candidate — he’s “seriously considering” — was enough to make the GOP’s […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 8, 2015

Despite his impending book tour with its planned trips to Iowa and Nevada, an increasing number of signs point to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio forgoing a full-scale presidential run, seeking re-election in 2016 and running for Florida governor in 2018. In early January, devout Rubio-watcher Marc Caputo of Politico wrote that there is “increasing political chatter that Rubio is well-positioned to run […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 5, 2015

The much-anticipated meeting of the Florida Cabinet post-Gerald Bailey scandal got off to an intense beginning Thursday morning when Gov. Rick Scott switched on his microphone and apologized, sort of, for the actions involving the ouster of the now-former FDLE head, likely the greatest crisis of his time as governor. “Good morning. I want to […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 5, 2015

The Fiorentino Group (TFG) has hired Melissa Langley as Development and Political Coordinator. Langley will oversee TFG’s political fundraising efforts, and plan and execute special events for clients and partners. She also will be aiding in development and implementation of the firm’s strategic marketing activities. Her work will be instrumental in TFG’s continued success and […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 5, 2015

This morning we’ll learn how serious Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam believe in being independent agents, and not just handmaidens to the leader of their party, Gov. Rick Scott. Today’s Cabinet meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds in east Tampa could be interesting, or maybe […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 5, 2015

This morning we’ll learn how serious Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam believe in being independent agents, and not just handmaidens to the leader of their party, Gov. Rick Scott. Today’s Cabinet meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds in east Tampa could be interesting, or maybe […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 2, 2015

The city of West Palm Beach provides an example of the astonishing power of politics to make people mimic sociopaths. The Palm Beach Post and WPTV Channel 5 conducted a joint investigation that found that top elected officials in West Palm Beach wrote letters seeking the parole of a murderer in New York state. What […]

Daniel TilsonFebruary 1, 2015

It’s time we heard what Charlie Crist thinks about Rick Scott’s latest scandals. It might help us make better sense of the mess Scott made out of firing Gerald Bailey, longtime and widely respected commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), not to mention new whistleblower allegations that Scott ignored and covered up fatal failures of […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 1, 2015

Florida Chamber of Commerce leaders will not enter the debate between Gov. Rick Scott and Cabinet members about longtime state Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty. Chamber President Mark Wilson told reporters that McCarty was “doing a good job,” during the tenure of Gov. Charlie Crist, who Wilson called “the worst governor” in U.S. history. However, Wilson clarified that the entire agency failed to do a good job […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 30, 2015

Next week the Florida Cabinet meets in Tampa for the first time since they unanimously approved Rick Swearingen as the replacement for Gerald Bailey to lead the Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement. Bailey announced his resignation in December, but told members of the media after Swearingen’s appointment in early January that in fact he had […]

Tag: Jeff Atwater

Jeb Bush bestrides Tallahassee like a colossus

Peter Schorsch: Rick Scott could seize Marco Rubio's Senate seat

Rick Scott says buck stops with him in Bailey scandal

Personnel note: The Fiorentino Group hires Melissa Langley

Mitch Perry Report for 2.5.15 – Pressure's on Jeff Atwater, Pam Bondi and Adam Putnam in Tampa today

Mitch Perry Report for 2.5.15 – Pressure’s on Jeff Atwater, Pam Bondi and Adam Putnam in Tampa today

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: The murderer politicians love

Daniel Tilson: Charlie Crist should weigh in on Gov. Scott's scandals

Insurance commissioner doing better under Rick Scott than Charlie Crist, Florida Chamber says

Jack Latvala blasts Cabinet members in Gerald Bailey affair