Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 15, 2017

Despite heavy opposition from much of the hospital and hospice industry, a bill that would repeal Florida’s Certificate of Need (CON) program advanced in a House subcommittee on Wednesday. Currently, health care providers require a certificate of need prior before building or converting hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices. The proposal (HB 7) sponsored by Sarasota […]

Scott PowersDecember 12, 2016

While no one from Central Florida will be chairing full committees in the Florida House of Representatives this spring, several local representatives will be chairing key subcommittees, Health Care Appropriations, Tourism & Gaming Control, and Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs. The committee appointments came down Monday from House Speaker Richard Corcoran. State Rep. Mike La […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

Facing light competition, state Reps. Jennifer Sullivan, Jason Brodeur, John Cortes, and Bruce Antone cruised to re-election to Florida House seats in Central Florida Tuesday. Brodeur, a Republican from Sanford, won his fourth term in the House, defeating independent candidate Steve Edmunds in House District 28, by 64 percent to 36 percent. Sullivan, a Republican from […]

Phil AmmannOctober 11, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Mary Kassabaum is no longer legislative assistant for Trilby Republican state Sen. Wilton Simpson. Off: Caroline Crow is no longer district secretary for Rockledge Republican state Sen. Thad Altman. On: Matthew Hunter is returning as legislative assistant for Fort […]

Scott PowersAugust 26, 2016

Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington has thrown his endorsement to former state Rep. Ricardo Rangel in his effort to win back his seat in Kissimmee-based House District 43. Arrington’s district covers much of HD 43, including Poinciana. “Ricardo Rangel, a U.S. Army veteran, is the best choice for the Florida House of Representatives, District 43,” […]

Staff ReportsAugust 25, 2016

There are just a few weeks until the election, and organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. Several organizations — the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Retail Federation, and the Service Employees International Union Florida — issued endorsements. — Rebecca Negron has received the backing of James Dobson, the […]

Scott PowersAugust 5, 2016

A new campaign video posted in both Spanish and English on a new political committee’s Facebook page is bringing up a 1999 incident accusing state Rep. John Cortes of domestic violence. The video, presented by “Citizens For Integrity in Florida,” features a mugshot of Cortez with a narrator declaring, “Warning! Don’t make John Cortes mad. […]

Scott PowersJuly 5, 2016

Democrat Ricardo Rangel has received the endorsement of Osceola County Chairwoman Viviana Janer in his quest for the Aug. 30 Democratic primary nomination to run in Kissimmee-based House District 43. Rangel, a former state representative for that district, lost the 2014 primary to the current incumbent, state Rep. John Cortes. The two are locked in […]

Staff ReportsJuly 5, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off and on: Randy Havlicak is no longer staff director of the House Judiciary Committee; he is replacing Joe Gillespie as senior staff director for the House Bill Drafting Service. On: Don Rubottom is the new interim staff director for Judiciary. […]

Scott PowersJune 24, 2016

In what has been a frantic last day of filing and qualifying for Florida House of Representatives, Republican state Rep. Eric Eisnaugle of Windermere appears to have won re-election in House District 44. More than five hours after the close of qualifying, Eisnaugle’s anticipated Democratic opponent, David Trotter of Orlando, has not qualified. If that holds […]

Tag: John Cortes

Bill to repeal Certificate of Need program advances in Florida House

Central Florida reps pleased with tourism, health care subcommittee chairs

Jason Brodeur, Jennifer Sullivan, John Cortes, Bruce Antone return to House

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Ricardo Rangel gets HD 43 backing of Brandon Arrington

Endorsement Watch: Florida Medical Association, Florida Retail Federation, SEIU Florida and others issue endorsements

Facebook video raises 1999 incident in John Cortes’ family

Ricardo Rangel gets Viviana Janer’s endorsement in HD 43

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Eric Eisnaugle wins another term in busy Central Florida House race filings