Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJuly 25, 2017

In a Tuesday memo, House Speaker Richard Corcoran announced his leadership for the 2018 Legislative Session, including the committee weeks that lead up to the annual session. Current Majority Whip Dane Eagle keeps that post, but now will be a member of the Republican leadership team. Rep. Jim Boyd will chair the Commerce Committee, taking over from […]

Phil AmmannJuly 25, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Amber Moody is a new support analyst for the House Office of Information Technology. Off: Michael Ellis is no longer a journal writer/editor for the Legislative Process Division. Off and on: Natasha Sutherland has […]

Mitch PerryJuly 16, 2017

Randy Cooper likes to think of himself as a pragmatist. The 60-year-old Democrat is one of three candidates running to succeed Republican Jim Boyd in Florida House District 71, which encompasses much of Manatee County and a bit of North Sarasota County. He says his political philosophy could be labeled “practical and pragmatic,” and says the […]

Staff ReportsJune 6, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Hope Holt, formerly calendar coordinator in the House Clerk’s Office, is now serving as a program specialist for the Office of Professional Development. Off: Tina White stepped down as policy chief for the House Criminal Justice […]

Staff ReportsMay 11, 2017

Contributions for candidates in the race to replace House District 71’s Jim Boyd topped $115,000 for April. Will Robinson, a Bradenton Republican, bested Sarasota Republican James Buchanan for the month, pulling in a whopping $97,600 to Buchanan’s $15,300, records show. And Bradenton Democrat Randy Cooper put up $2,210. Boyd, a Bradenton Republican, is term-limited, having been first […]

Associated PressMay 5, 2017

The Florida House has rejected a Senate proposal to loosen mandatory-minimum-sentence requirements in a bill that cracks down on synthetic drug traffickers, putting the legislation in jeopardy with only one day left for it to pass. The bill’s primary sponsor, Republican Rep. Jim Boyd, said the purpose of the bill would be defeated without the […]

Drew WilsonApril 5, 2017

House District 71 candidate James Buchanan brought in a monstrous $138,000 haul in his first month in the race to replace termed-out Republican Rep. Jim Boyd. Buchanan’s campaign says more than four-fifths of that money came from inside the district, which covers parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties. “One month into our campaign and the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 8, 2017

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State lawmakers applauded Florida TaxWatch this week, hailing the organization for its role in the legislative process. “The folks that formed Florida TaxWatch had a good focus in mind,” said Sen. Jack Latvala. “And as a result of Florida TaxWatch’s efforts, we’ve turned things around.” The taxpayer advocacy group hosted its State of the Taxpayer […]

Mitch PerryMarch 8, 2017

Not surprisingly, Donald Trump hasn’t been too keen on hiring those associated with the “Never Trump” movement of conservative policy who surfaced in last year’s presidential campaign. The most glaring example of this is the case of former State Department official Elliott Abrams. A meeting between the two last month reportedly went well, according to CNN. Ultimately, though, Trump opted not […]

Mitch PerryMarch 4, 2017

James Buchanan, the son of Sarasota area Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan, has filed to run for the House District 71 seat in 2018. The 35-year-old is the founder of James Buchanan Realty, which specializes in residential, luxury, waterfront, condominiums, commercial, and land real estate. “I’m running because as a small business owner with deep roots in our community, I […]

Tag: Jim Boyd

Richard Corcoran announces 2018 leadership in House

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

‘Pragmatic’ civil engineer Randy Cooper vies for HD 71 seat in Manatee County

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Race to replace Jim Boyd gins up big numbers

House puts fate of fentanyl trafficking bill at risk

James Buchanan hauls $138K in first month of HD 71 campaign

State lawmakers applaud Florida TaxWatch during annual State of Taxpayer dinner

Could anti-Donald Trump quotes hurt Pat Neal’s chances of becoming CFO?

James Buchanan – son of Vern – launches campaign for House District 71