Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschSeptember 26, 2018

Florida Democrats touted some impressive poll numbers in Republican-leaning state Senate races last week, but now that the sunshine pumping has worn off it looks like there’s some serious flaws in those numbers. To recap, the Florida Democratic Party pointed to a handful of Change Research polls that showed showing Melissa “Mel” Martin leading incumbent Sen. Dorothy […]

Jacob OglesSeptember 24, 2018

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Halfway through September, Democrat Liv Coleman boasts more cash on hand than Republican Tommy Gregory, the heavy favorite to win an open seat in state House District 73. But before anyone gets excites, Gregory still raised slightly more in the first weeks of September. He pulled in $1,710 in the filing period, compared to $1,325 […]

Jacob OglesSeptember 24, 2018

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Faith Olivia Babis and Kathy Lewis attended the same conferences for advocates for the disabled before either became a political candidate. Now the two hope to join forces in the state Senate. They face long odds — both Democrats running in heavily Republican districts — but a challenge never stopped these women before. “People tell me […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 19, 2018

Despite recent public polls showing Democratic candidates down by a hair in some of the Florida Democratic Party’s major state Senate targets, the party is pointing to new measures that show another three more chances to overtake Republican-held districts. “While the focus has been on the State Senate Districts most affected by the Fair Districts […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 5, 2018

Sarasota Republican Rep. Joe Gruters will be raising cash in Tallahassee later this month for his bid to succeed Greg Steube in Senate District 23. The Sept. 18 reception will be held in the library of the Governors Club, 202 South Adams St., from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Those looking to attend can direct […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 4, 2018

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Wauchula Republican state Rep. Ben Albritton is in good position to ascend to the state Senate in the fall and has started putting some of the cash he’s amassed in his affiliated political committee to the most vulnerable incumbent Republicans in the 40-member chamber. Albritton’s committee, Advancing Florida Agriculture, has raised nearly $400,000 since he […]

Jacob OglesAugust 26, 2018

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As red tide threatens the Gulf Coast economy, it’s also bringing political foes together. Look to a town hall event held in Sarasota by state Reps. Joe Gruters, a Republican, and Margaret Good, a Democrat. “Environmental crises don’t know it’s election season,” said Good, “and you don’t stop being an elected representative just because you […]

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 […]

Tag: Joe Gruters
Image via Tiger Bay.

Is faulty polling fueling Florida Democrats’ optimism in Dorothy Hukill-Mel Martin race?

Surprise: Liv Coleman holds slight cash lead on Tommy Gregory in HD 73

Enabled, not disabled: Candidates run to raise disability rights awareness

Florida Democrats say their state Senate map is still expanding

Joe Gruters holding Tallahassee fundraiser for SD 23 bid

Ben Albritton sends backup to embattled GOP state Senators

Joe Gruters, Margaret Good host bipartisan town hall on red tide

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