Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayNovember 9, 2015

The 2016 Senate campaign of U.S. Rep. David Jolly rolled out a new petition Monday in support of Jolly’s so-called “Freedom Card” Veterans Affairs reform plan. The Clearwater Republican unveiled a new website, VeteransforJolly.com, where voters can register their support for Jolly’s proposal to issue new ID cards to vets which would allow them to access care outside […]

Peter SchorschNovember 6, 2015

A leading Florida fundraiser who initially backed Jeb Bush‘s campaign is publicly withdrawing support over Bush’s ongoing attacks on Sen. Marco Rubio. Brian Ballard, a lobbyist in Tallahassee who donated $20,000 to the pro-Bush super PAC Right to Rise USA, told Politico on Thursday that he had privately abandoned Bush earlier but wanted to make his concerns […]

Ryan RayNovember 2, 2015

As the rollicking presidential campaign of New York real estate mogul Donald Trump recently took a moment to put forth a policy proposal or two, Floridians may have noticed one that seemed familiar. “Under a Trump Administration, all veterans eligible for VA health care can bring their veteran’s ID card to any doctor or care facility that […]

Peter SchorschOctober 29, 2015

Jeb Bush sought to calm anxious donors with a comeback strategy focused on taking down rival Marco Rubio. But Bush’s plan backfired badly on national television in the third GOP presidential debate. Instead of generating much needed momentum, Bush’s attack on his onetime protege raised new questions about his underwhelming candidacy in the primary contest […]

Jac VerSteegOctober 25, 2015

It’s “Crazy Peak” time for Republican presidential candidates. At the moment, that favors two candidates with Florida ties: Donald Trump and Ben Carson. When the peaks flatten, as Trump’s might already be doing, two other Floridians – Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio – will benefit. But Rubio will benefit more than Bush. The “Crazy Peak” […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2015

When Charlie Crist announces later today in Childs Park that he is running for Congress in Florida’s 13th Congressional District in 2016, it will be his third major speech given in a St. Petersburg park declaring his candidacy in the last five-and-half-years, but the prospects are much sunnier than his last two attempts at higher office. In […]

Mitch PerryOctober 7, 2015

Happy Wednesday to y’all. And if you’re a NY Yankee fan, hey, be positive. At least you made the “playoff,” for the first time in three years. There’s a new Quinnipiac poll out this morning on the Florida presidential race, and the results here are similar to everywhere else in the country. It’s Trump and […]

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

The Republican-led House’s approval of a multibillion-dollar defense policy bill could end up being vetoed by President Obama and ultimately hurting MacDill Air Force Base, contends Tampa Bay area Democrat Kathy Castor. But she’s not blaming the president, but the John Boehner-led House. That’s because the $612 billion bill, which will cover new ships, aircraft and […]

Associated PressSeptember 26, 2015

The Republican Party’s conservative wing, pumped up by House Speaker John Boehner‘s stepping down, is warning the 2016 presidential candidates that defying its wishes will come at their peril. Religious activists forcefully conveyed this message Saturday: embrace our uncompromising stance against abortion rights and gay marriage, among other priorities, even if doing so risks a […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 24, 2015

There’s no question that over the past two decades that Florida has become one of the biggest swing-states in the nation that can ultimately determine who our next president is. It may not be the swing-state (arguably you could call Ohio the ultimate swing-state), but it’s crucially important, especially for the Republican Party. Like political […]

Tag: John McCain
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

David Jolly campaign unveils “Freedom Card” petition

Jeb Bush fundraiser Brian Ballard defects over attacks on Marco Rubio

Donald Trump veterans’ plan mirrors David Jolly’s

Analysis: Jeb Bush comeback strategy backfires in GOP debate

Jac VerSteeg: Political timing favors Marco Rubio

Charlie Crist poised to announce his candidacy for Congress

Mitch Perry Report for 10.7.15 – Marco Rubio is missing votes, but will that really matter?

Kathy Castor says GOP defense bill that violates the sequester could end up hurting MacDill AFB

Conservatives to 2016 GOP field: Defy us at your own peril

Mitch Perry Report for 9.24.15 – Will the RPOF gamble on having a meaningful primary election?