Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonFebruary 5, 2018

Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell announced another block endorsement for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign from colleagues in the Florida House Monday, this time mostly from the Tampa Bay area. “I am proud to receive the endorsements from my colleagues. I will continue to work hard to earn support from Floridians across the Sunshine State, who […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 2, 2018

Republican state Rep. Joe Gruters landed an appointment from the Trump Administration Thursday to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors through October 2022. The Sarasota accountant served as co-chair of President Donald Trump’s campaign in Florida, and the move appears to have paid dividends. Gruters took to Twitter shortly after the announcement, saying he […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2018

A trio of alcoholic beverage-related bills moved through a House panel Tuesday: — Beer advertisements in theme parks would be allowed under a bill approved by the Careers and Competition Subcommittee. That measure (HB 669) was approved 13-2, with chair Halsey Beshears, a Monticello Republican, and Rep. Larry Ahern, a Seminole Republican, casting ‘no’ votes. […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 16, 2018

There are a number of first-time candidates running for office in Hillsborough County this year, but none are more successful at raising campaign cash than Aakash Patel, the 33-year-old Tampa businessman who is running for the District 1 seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. Patel added more than $9,000 to his campaign coffers last month and now […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2018

Calling it a “shot of adrenaline,” South Florida Sen. Annette Taddeo on Wednesday stumped for her bill to bring TV and film incentives back to the Sunshine State. Her measure (SB 1606) would create the “Florida Motion Picture Capital Corporation” to “encourage the use of this state as a site for scripted productions by providing financing to […]

Peter SchorschDecember 26, 2017

Republican state Representative Don Hahnfeldt has died of cancer. He was 73. Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran confirmed Hahnfeldt’s death Monday afternoon, notifying members “of the passing of our friend and colleague Representative Don Hahnfeldt.” Corcoran echoed the consensus assessment of Hahnfeldt: that he led an impressive life, which included service as a submarine commander […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2017

It’s no secret that one of the most significant problems dragging down the Tampa Bay-area economy is a lack of sufficient transportation options, as well as the lack of money to fund potential solutions. Attempting to provide a partial solution are Tampa-area state legislators Dana Young and Jamie Grant, who publicly discussed their bill that […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 6, 2017

Two Sarasota Republicans are attempting to pass legislation that would prevent political committees and electioneering communications organizations from donating to each other, touting it as a proposal that would end dark money in state politics. While state Rep. Joe Gruters’ HB 43 and Sen. Greg Steube’s SB 122 do not address dark money in issue advocacy spending, […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2017

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Legislation filed in the Florida House would add violence against an individual based on “gender or gender identity” to the state’s list of hate crimes. Rep. Joseph Geller, an Aventura Democrat, filed the bill (HB 211) Tuesday. “Florida has recently seen an increase in hate-crimes, from 73 committed in 2014 to 102 in 2015,” according to […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 28, 2017

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A House member has filed proposed legislation to add violence based on “political affiliation or beliefs” to the state’s list of hate crimes. Rep. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, first filed his 1-page bill Thursday. The bill is being redrafted to correct some technical errors and will be re-filed shortly, he said. The measure as filed (HB […]

Tag: Joe Gruters
According to reviews, F1: The Movie is living up to the hype. Image via AppleTV+/Associated Press.

Matt Caldwell announces ‘seventh wave’ of endorsements for Ag Commissioner bid

Donald Trump names Joe Gruters to Amtrak board

Bottoms up: Booze bills moving in House

Aakash Patel continues fundraising prowess in Hillsborough Commission race

And … action! Annette Taddeo fights for film incentives

Don Hahnfeldt, Republican lawmaker, former submarine commander, dies unexpectedly

Dana Young, Jamie Grant seeks to provide cash for ‘innovative’ Tampa Bay transit

Republican lawmakers tackle ‘dark money’

Bill would add ‘gender identity’ to hate crimes

Joe Gruters files ‘political’ hate crimes bill