Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschAugust 14, 2018

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A Republican candidate for the Florida House of Representatives who went to extensive lengths to prove that she had a college degree that she actually didn’t complete is abandoning her campaign. “I have come to the realization that the right thing to do for my community is to withdraw from the race,” said Melissa Howard, […]

Drew WilsonAugust 10, 2018

House District 73 candidate Melissa Howard says her Republican primary opponent, Tommy Gregory, has been trying to smear her with one lie after another as the pair fight to succeed exiting state Rep. Joe Gruters in the Sarasota-based district. According to Howard, the Gregory campaign has been employing a strategy that is all too common […]

Drew WilsonAugust 3, 2018

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Republican Rep. Joe Gruters wants Belleair Bluffs businessman Nick DiCeglie to join him in the state Legislature. The Sarasota GOP chair, who co-chaired Donald Trump’s Florida campaign, called his Pinellas counterpart a “true conservative leader” when he endorsed him over House District 66 Republican primary rival Bernie Jacques on Thursday. “As Chairman of the Pinellas […]

Drew WilsonAugust 2, 2018

The race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney in Florida’s 17th Congressional District is heating up. In July alone, outside groups spent nearly $1 million boosting state Sen. Greg Steube and besieging state Rep. Julio Gonzalez, the two leading Republicans vying for the expansive and solidly Republican congressional district. Most of that cash — […]

Jacob OglesJuly 29, 2018

On Saturday, protesters of Gov. Rick Scott disrupted a political speech multiple times, as the U.S. Senate candidate spoke to grassroots supporters in Sarasota. Individuals with Freedom Fellows, a coalition of left-leaning groups, made their way into the Republican Party of Sarasota’s Primary Election Grassroots Straw Poll event. “It’s always disappointing when people want to […]

Jacob OglesJuly 29, 2018

Accusations of ballot box stuffing will delay any release of results for a straw poll conducted by the Republican Party of Sarasota on Saturday. “The results of the straw poll conducted during the rally are still being worked on,” reads an official press release from organizers. “The Republican Party of Sarasota Executive Committee will be […]

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 […]

Drew WilsonJuly 9, 2018

Faith Olivia Babis is about to get hit with a bill she could have easily avoided. The Sarasota Democrat, who is running in the special election for Senate District 23, was a week late in filing her most recent campaign finance report, and state law imposes hefty fees on candidates for being tardy. Florida statute […]

Drew WilsonJuly 9, 2018

Republican attorney Tommy Gregory is rolling out his first TV ad in the race for Sarasota-based House District 73. The 30-second ad features Gregory’s wife, Erica, outlining his conservative credentials and explaining why she was on board when her husband floated the idea of seeking public office. “When Tommy asked me if he should run for public […]

Drew WilsonJune 28, 2018

Sarasota Republican Melissa Howard announced Thursday that she had earned the backing of Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera in her campaign to succeed Rep. Joe Gruters in House District 73. “Melissa Howard is the business owner, community leader, and conservative champion that will best serve her constituents in District 73. I am pleased to endorse Melissa’s […]

Tag: Joe Gruters

In wake of fake degree scandal, Melissa Howard withdraws from Florida House race

Melissa Howard tells Tommy Gregory to ‘stop the lies’

Joe Gruters backs Nick DiCeglie in HD 66 Republican primary

Outside money pours into CD 17 Republican primary between Julio Gonzalez, Greg Steube

Protesters disrupt Rick Scott speech in Sarasota

Ron DeSantis supporters accused of ballot-stuffing at Sarasota straw poll

Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races

Joe Gruters’ opponent faces big fee for late finance report

Tommy Gregory releases first ad for HD 73 campaign

Melissa Howard earns backing of Carlos Lopez-Cantera