Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJuly 7, 2016

Isn’t it fun to have new friends to play with? That’s how I felt when I learned Republican communications operative Brian Burgess was launching The Capitolist website where he (and other notables like Sarah Rumpf) blogs and aggregates. I’ve always been of the opinion that Florida politics needed more bloggers and tweeters and writers. At the national level, when the […]

Keith MorelliJuly 5, 2016

As the 2016 election season swings into fifth gear with politicians and committees filling treasuries with contributions, this was the total collected in June by the leading special interest group opposed to legalizing medical marijuana in Florida: $00.00. After tallying more than half-million dollars in May, all but $1,000 from a single donor, Mel Sembler, […]

Scott PowersJune 28, 2016

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is staying away from making endorsements in Democratic-contested races but will be one of the special guests Wednesday night for a fundraiser for Susannah Randolph, who’s in the Aug. 30 Democratic primary for Florida’s 9th Congressional District. Dyer is one of dozens of Central Florida Democrats, and a handful of non-Democrats, […]

Jim RosicaJune 21, 2016

The Morgan & Morgan law firm’s blog has opined on the state Supreme Court’s latest ruling on the state’s worker’s compensation law, calling it a “victory” for workers. An unsigned post appeared Monday; it was tweeted Tuesday. The firm, led by famed Orlando trial attorney John Morgan, has a bustling practice in worker’s comp applications and appeals. States […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 10, 2016

Drug-Free Florida raised more than $500,000 in May, outpacing the committee backing the effort to legalize medical marijuana 5-to-1. State records show Drug-Free Florida raised $500,85 in the one-month fundraising period. Mel Sembler, a prominent St. Petersburg fundraiser, gave the committee $500,000 in May. The substantial donation came just weeks after Sembler announced he once […]

Scott PowersMay 22, 2016

A solid 69 percent of Florida registered voters say they would support Amendment 2 on the November ballot, which would broadly legalize medical marijuana in Florida, according to a new poll by Gravis Marketing. The same poll also finds Floridians with mixed views on transgender restrooms, but not on locker rooms. The poll, taken last […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 16, 2016

The campaign to convince Floridians to “Vote No on 2” is officially heating up. Vote No On 2, the group leading the charge against the 2016 medical marijuana initiative, Monday aimed at highlighting the dangers of legalizing medical marijuana. Throughout the three-minute video, viewers see what happened in California after the Golden State approved its […]

Scott PowersMay 10, 2016

The Marijuana Business Conference & Expo in Orlando is more about business than pot. It’s where high-tech engineering for climate control gets introduced to cannabis growers. It’s where boutique banking and financial service operations troll for cannabis cash. It’s where packaging and marketing experts track down cannabis products in need of packaging. At the sixth […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 26, 2016

John Morgan has a message for supporters of a medical marijuana ballot initiative: They won’t be bullied. In an email Tuesday, Morgan encouraged supporters to donate to the United for Care campaign and stand up against opponents, including St. Petersburg Republican financier Mel Sembler. Sembler told the Tampa Bay Times he was hoping to raise […]

Scott PowersApril 22, 2016

The group that opposed and defeated the 2014 proposed medical marijuana constitutional amendment is preparing to raise money to try the same for this year’s initiative. The Drug-Free Florida Committee, a political action committee associated with St. Petersburg Republican financier and business executive Mel Sembler, will begin raising money shortly with hopes to do battle again […]

Tag: John Morgan

No, Brian Burgess, Chris Sprowls will not ‘feel the Bern’

Anti-Amendment 2 groups has quiet fundraising month

Susannah Randolph fundraiser to feature Buddy Dyer, John Morgan

Morgan & Morgan chimes in on worker’s comp rulings

Mel Sembler donates $500K to Vote No on 2 campaign in May

Medical marijuana measure winning solidly in new Gravis poll

Successful in 2014, medical marijuana opponents ramp up campaign against latest ballot initiative

Marijuana Business Conference: John Morgan brings the holy mission message

Email Insights: John Morgan calls out Mel Sembler in fundraising email

Anti-medical marijuana campaign prepares to raise money