Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan NicolOctober 1, 2018

More than a dozen Puerto Rican leaders across the U.S. have announced their support for Andrew Gillum‘s campaign for Governor. Gillum, the Democratic candidate in the race, currently serves as Mayor of Tallahassee. He is competing against former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, the Republican nominee. Among Gillum’s new spate of backers are former Puerto Rico […]

Peter SchorschJune 23, 2018

A noon Friday deadline to make the ballot for a state legislative seat has come and gone, and 25 incumbent lawmakers (and two fresh faces) have already punched their tickets to Tallahassee. Of the 27 races that are now officially over, Republicans won a half-dozen. Most notable among that crowd is incoming House Speaker Jose […]

Scott PowersJune 22, 2018

Ten seats in Central Florida’s portion of the Florida House of Representatives will have primaries on August 28, with four Republican and six Democratic in-party battles set by Friday’s ballot qualifying. The big primary battles among Republicans are preparing for two open seats now held by Republicans, and among the Democrats for four places where […]

Scott PowersMay 30, 2018

John-Cortes-Victor-Torres-Terrie-Rizzo-Tom-Perez-Darren-Soto-Val-Demings-3500x2286.jpg

The Democratic National Committee just weighed in on the Florida partisan fight for Puerto Rican voters, providing the state party with a $100,000 grant and arguments on why they should register as Democrats. DNC Chair Tom Perez and Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo joined U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Val Demings and others in […]

Drew WilsonMay 15, 2018

Contributions were sparse in April for five Central Florida lawmakers who are still unopposed in their re-election 2018 bids – Democratic Reps. Bruce Antone, Kamia Brown, John Cortes, Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith. Of the five, Brown posted the best report last month. She showed $5,485 in contributions, which brings her to-date fundraising total […]

Scott PowersMay 11, 2018

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto‘s re-election campaign announced 20 endorsements from local elected officials in his battle with former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson for the Democratic primary in Florida’s 9th Congressional District. The endorsements came from state Sen. Victor Torres; state Reps. John Cortes, Amy Mercado, Carlos Guillermo Smith and Kamia Brown; Kissimmee Mayor José Alvarez; Lake Wales […]

Scott PowersApril 17, 2018

Warning that Florida may be in violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act, state Sen. Victor Torres on Tuesday led a group of eight mostly-Hispanic Democratic lawmakers in urging Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner to respond to reports that some Florida counties are not providing Spanish-language elections materials. Torres and the others wrote to […]

Drew WilsonMarch 26, 2018

Democrat Bob Doyel on Monday announced a long list of endorsements for his campaign against incumbent Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel in Senate District 22. Doyel, a retired circuit court judge, listed 13 endorsements from current and former elected officials in the bulk announcement. The seven current elected officials: Kissimmee Democratic Rep. John Cortes, Haines City […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2018

An attempt by Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith to get the state to provide $1 million to help build a Pulse nightclub memorial in Orlando drew some crossover votes from Republicans (including many from Central Florida) but failed in the House Tuesday night. The proposed amendment, which would have added $1 million for […]

Staff ReportsMarch 6, 2018

After an hours-long floor session, in which a series of Democratic attempts to change a controversial school safety bill failed, the Republican-controlled House on Tuesday readied the proposal for a final vote. Before that could happen, dozens of amendments sponsored by Democrats were killed. One by Rep. Jared Moskowitz would have removed a ‘guardian program’ […]

Tag: John Cortes
College students pass out Plan B at Florida Atlantic University while campaigning on abortion measure. Image via A.

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25 state lawmakers re-elected without opposition

Ten Central Florida house seats set for primaries August 28

National Democrats aid Florida Democrats’ Puerto Rican voter outreach

Light fundraising month for Orange County’s unopposed House incumbents

Darren Soto announces 20 local endorsements in CD 9 race

Victor Torres leads effort demanding Spanish materials in Florida elections offices

Bob Doyel snags 20 endorsements in bid to unseat Kelli Stargel

Carlos Smith’s $1M Pulse memorial amendment draws some Republicans, but fails

After marathon floor session, House poised to approve school safety bill