Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jacob OglesDecember 5, 2018

State Sen. Joe Gruters appears poised to become the next Republican Party of Florida chair. He appears to have the support of Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis, remains one of President Donald Trump’s chief allies in Florida and now has a clear path to the chair post with one of his lead competitors stepping aside. The Republican […]

Jacob OglesDecember 5, 2018

Leon County Republican Party Chair Evan Power is endorsing Joe Gruters for Republican Party of Florida chair and announced his intention to run for vice chair. “There are few people in the Party that I have known as long and have worked together as well with as Joe Gruters,” Power said in a statement. “I look […]

Drew WilsonDecember 5, 2018

A newly minted state Senator and a quartet of fresh state Representatives opened campaign accounts for the 2020 election cycle this week. Sarasota Republican Joe Gruters, who took over for U.S. Rep.-elect Greg Steube in Senate District 23, filed his paperwork Tuesday. Gruters was a member of the House for a term before U.S. Rep. […]

Scott PowersDecember 4, 2018

After serving two terms, Blaise Ingoglia is stepping down as chair of the Republican Party of Florida. He announced the move Tuesday, citing the support of term limits for RPOF members. Ingoglia also serves as a state representative from House District 35 in Hernando County, In 2015, Ingoglia rose to power in what was primarily an insurgency against […]

Jacob OglesNovember 27, 2018

It looks like 2018 will be another record year for tourism in Florida, which could be good news both for the hospitality industry and for agencies promoting the state in the nation and abroad. Gov. Rick Scott announced Florida welcomed 95.8 million visitors from January through September, nearly a 7 percent increase from the 89.8 […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 26, 2018

The Tampa Bay region is well-represented in Tallahassee for the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session, at least in the Senate. Not only is Senate President Bill Galvano from the region — his district covers parts of southern Hillsborough County and Manatee County — but several other senators from the region have been posted to leadership positions. […]

Scott PowersNovember 26, 2018

Orange County Democrats flipped three seats in the Florida House and, as state Reps. Geraldine Thompson, Anna Eskamani and Joy Goff-Marcil make their debuts, they’re looking for practical starts. On Nov. 6, the three Democrats flipped the partisan strength of Orange County’s delegation from five Republicans and four Democrats, to seven Democrats and two Republicans. Thompson has been […]

Jacob OglesNovember 6, 2018

Republican Joe Gruters gets a promotion to state Senate, after defeating Democratic opponent Faith Olivia Babis in Florida Senate District 23. Gruters led in Sarasota County with 53 percent of the vote over Babis’ 47 percent, with all early and absentee votes and 28 percent of precincts counted. In the slice of Charlotte County within […]

Jacob OglesNovember 6, 2018

Candidates in Southwest Florida anticipated lengthy debates about Medicaid expansions, gun rights and maybe charter school funding to dominate political discourse this election. So it seemed illustrative to state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo when a Naples candidate forum contained not one question about health care came up. “This year,” she said, “it’s all about the water […]

Jacob OglesOctober 28, 2018

Republican state Senate candidate Joe Gruters knows his success this year relies on the strength of the GOP ticket as a whole. “We’re trying to drive turnout for the entire team,” he said. As the 10-year chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota, Gruters knows the importance of lifting the entire slate more acutely than […]

Tag: Joe Gruters

Joe Gruters emerges as front-runner for Florida GOP chair

Evan Power lines up behind Joe Gruters for Florida GOP chair, says he’ll run for vice

More freshman lawmakers file for re-election

Blaise Ingoglia stepping aside as Florida GOP chair

VISIT FLORIDA: State on track for record tourism by end of 2018

Tampa Bay lawmakers get Senate committee leadership posts

Orange County Democratic House newbies seeking practical issues

Call him ‘Senator’: Joe Gruters wins SD 23, overcomes Olivia Babis

Red Tide Politics: It’s the environment, stupid.

Joe Gruters shifts into overdrive for himself, fellow Republicans