Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 13, 2018

Knocking off St. Pete Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes was always a long shot, and the first measure of the race since Lindsay Cross subbed in for Carrie Pilon shows those slim chances dwindling further. According to a new survey from St. Pete Polls, Brandes has the support of nearly 39 percent of Senate District 24 […]

Drew WilsonJuly 30, 2018

It has been more than three weeks since Carrie Pilon announced she was ending her bid to unseat St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes in state Senate District 24. Now, Florida Democrats have settled on her replacement. Lindsay Cross, an environmental scientist who works as executive director of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, will pick up where […]

Drew WilsonJuly 30, 2018

Fort Myers police officer Adam Jobbers-Miller died Saturday, one week after Wisner Desmaret allegedly shot him while Jobbers-Miller was answering a call at Marathon gas station. The shooting, now killing, has turned into a flashpoint that cuts across many political issues, namely immigration, mental health and pretrial release. Desmaret, 29, is a Haitian immigrant who […]

Drew WilsonJuly 26, 2018

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When President Donald Trump takes the stage at the Florida State Fairgrounds next week, Gov. Rick Scott will be a county away raising cash for his U.S. Senate bid. The Scott campaign sent out an invite this week for a fundraiser Tuesday evening in Clearwater. The private reception starts at 7:00 p.m., the same time […]

Drew WilsonJuly 26, 2018

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When lawmakers relaxed Florida’s laws on ridesharing, a lot of people benefitted. That’s according to a new study from the Economic Development Research Group, which found that the top ridesharing app, Uber, supports $1 billion of Florida’s gross domestic product and has provided a positive net impact of $134 million on the Sunshine State’s economy. […]

Staff ReportsJuly 17, 2018

Another election cycle, another edition of Politics in Pinellas. The event, hosted biennially by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, is set to draw at least 10 candidates for offices ranging from Pinellas School Board to state Senator. “Are they running for office for the first time or up for re-election? This is your opportunity […]

Drew WilsonJuly 13, 2018

Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes is gearing up for his re-election bid with a “Super Saturday” canvassing event in St. Petersburg-based Senate District 24. “Come show your support for Jeff Brandes! Join us on July 14 at 9:00 a.m. at Crisp Park in St. Petersburg for coffee and donuts. Help Senator Brandes spread his message by […]

Drew WilsonJuly 12, 2018

St. Petersburg Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes doesn’t know who he’ll be up against come Election Day, but that hasn’t stopped donors from pouring beaucoup bucks into his political committee. A newly filed campaign finance report for Liberty Florida shows the Senate District 24 incumbent reeled in a six-figure haul from a crop of well-known […]

Drew WilsonJuly 10, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Realtors rolled out endorsements Monday for nearly every state legislative election slated for the 2018 ballot. “As Realtors, we pride ourselves on our long-standing efforts to defend private property rights, promote community prosperity and preserve a professional climate that ensures the economic growth of Florida,” said Ann DeFries, chair […]

Staff ReportsJuly 7, 2018

A bill seeking to narrow the state’s practice of suspending driver’s licenses didn’t get very far during the 2018 Legislative Session. But the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Jeff Brandes, promises it will be back next year, when nuanced support from the courts will accompany it. This week, a federal judge in Tennessee ruled unconstitutional a state law that suspends […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes

Brandes up big in first SD 24 poll since Lindsay Cross tagged in

Lindsay Cross takes over Democratic bid for SD 24 after Carrie Pilon’s departure

Fort Myers shooting highlights cracks in patchwork pretrial release system

Rick Scott holding fundraiser during Trump rally in Tampa

Uber provides billion dollar boost to Florida’s economy, study says

Candidates sign up for ‘Politics in Pinellas’

Jeff Brandes holding ‘Super Saturday’ canvassing event

Jeff Brandes piles on cash as Florida Democrats scramble to replace Carrie Pilon

Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Suspensions in suspense