Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallApril 10, 2015

Sen. Travis Hutson won a special election Tuesday night to replace John Thrasher, who had resigned to become president of the Florida State University. As the House District 24 representative, the Elkton Republican already represented three of the four counties in Senate District 6. Now as a senator, Hutson also represents Putnam County, in addition to […]

Ryan RayApril 7, 2015

Rep. Travis Hutson prevailed big time Tuesday in his bid to jump up to the Legislature’s upper chamber, defeating Democratic nominee Adam Cox by a margin of about 2-to-1 with nearly all precincts reporting. Hutson will be District 6 senator-elect on Wednesday. Down the ballot, the battle to replace Hutson — who in turn is resigning from the House […]

Ryan RayApril 6, 2015

The long tail of legislative seat-hopping put into motion when former Sen. John Thrasher decided to resign to become Florida State University’s new president will come to an end Tuesday. Special elections are slated to be held in Senate District 6 — Thrasher’s old seat — as well as House Districts 24 and 17, which Reps. Travis Hutson and “Doc” Renuart were enticed […]

Phil AmmannApril 5, 2015

As the House District 24 special election on Tuesday approaches, Paul Renner finishes the campaign with a substantial fundraising lead. The Palm Coast Republican added $56,210 from March 1 through April 2, according to the state Division of Elections. Renner raised $294,340 overall, spending $261,748. HD 24 covers Flagler County and sections of St. Johns […]

Phil AmmannApril 3, 2015

As early voting ends in the Northeast Florida special legislative election for House District 17, candidate Cyndi Stevenson added to her fundraising advantage, according to the state Division of Elections website. Stevenson, a St. Johns County Republican, is seeking to replace Republican Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart from Ponte Vedra Beach. The special election is Tuesday. […]

Marc YachtMarch 30, 2015

The late Johnny Cash sang, “Don’t take your guns to town, son. Leave your guns at home….” I would suspect that the Second Amendment crowd might boycott his music today. Guns on campus are on the Florida legislative fast tract. Florida Senate Bill 176 and House Bill 4005 allow students with concealed weapons permits to […]

Ryan RayMarch 28, 2015

The long tail of John Thrasher‘s decision to leave the state Senate to assume the presidency of Florida State University will come to an end on April 7, when special elections to fill the legislative vacancies left in his wake are held. Early voting in three statehouse special elections began this weekend and ends Saturday, […]

Associated PressMarch 23, 2015

Jeb Bush ended Florida’s affirmative action programs in 1999 with a flourish, issuing an executive order he said would “transcend the tired debate” about racial preferences. Some lawmakers grumbled about the first-year governor making such a move without consulting them, and two black legislators staged a 25-hour sit-in at his office to protest. Bush refused […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

The hot dogs were free, the National Champion soccer team was on hand, as well as the tournament-bound women’s basketball team, but the star of the midday gathering in the Capitol courtyard was Farhan “Ronny” Ahmed. The 21-year-old Ahmed was shot three times and left paralyzed from the waist down when a gunman opened fire at […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

There’s a development in the Gerald Bailey affair I want to tell you about, but first its FSU Day. Not that I attended the school or anything, but if I’m put on a beat it’s what’s in the front of my mind, you know? Like, I’m all FSU, fascinated by Charlotte’s Web rule-making, intrigued by the personalities […]

Tag: John Thrasher

Five minutes with Travis Hutson

Republicans sweep NE Florida House, Senate special elections

John Thrasher-induced limbo to be resolved in Northeast Florida special elections Tuesday

Travis Hutson, Paul Renner campaign accounts grow as special elections near

Cyndi Stevenson widens cash lead in HD 17 contest

Marc J. Yacht: Concealed weapons on campus — tragedy in the making!

Early voting in NE Florida special elections has begun

As governor, Jeb Bush aggressively used executive power

FSU rallies at Capitol

The day that was in Florida politics — March 17