Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 11, 2018

A bundle of Polk County officials announced this week that they’re backing former Auburndale Republican Rep. Neil Combee in his bid for Florida’s 15th Congressional District. The nods came in from current Republican Reps. Ben Albritton, Mike LaRosa and Josie Tomkow, who was recently elected to replace Combee in a special election for House District […]

Staff ReportsOctober 18, 2016

Following a comprehensive and deliberate selection process, BusinessForce endorsed a former member of MyRegion.org and current small business owner, Republican Sam Killebrew for Florida House District 41. BusinessForce is the political action arm of the Central Florida Partnership. Its goal is to affect positive change in Central Florida through regional public policy advocacy and by encouraging […]

Bill RuftySeptember 21, 2016

Republicans and Democrats agreeing on a major issue – It seldom (if ever) happens lately in national politics. But on a state level, Republican Sam Killebrew and Democrat Bob Doyel, competing for Florida House District 41, agreed on the critical issue of education in the state of Florida. There are too many tests and perhaps […]

Bill RuftyMay 24, 2016

A fundraiser for Sam Killebrew, Republican primary candidate for Florida House District 41, is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday at the home of Harriet and Dean Boring, 2112 Hawthorne Trail, in Lakeland. Killebrew, retired contractor and a GOP fundraiser and activist, is competing with retired appellate Judge Charles Davis for the party’s nomination. The winner […]

Guest AuthorMarch 7, 2016

After the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the partisan maps drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature violated the Fair Districts amendments, Rep. John Wood, R-Polk, called for impeachment proceedings against the justices. Now, Wood and his colleagues in the House are asking the people of Florida to believe that the judicial term-limits bill passed in the […]

Guest AuthorMarch 6, 2016

After the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the partisan maps drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature violated the Fair Districts amendments, Rep. John Wood, R-Polk, called for impeachment proceedings against the justices. Now, Wood and his colleagues in the House are asking the people of Florida to believe that the judicial term-limits bill passed in the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 4, 2016

A legislative leader ultimately backed down Friday on his attempt to tack language legalizing fantasy sports play in Florida on a regulatory-related bill. State Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Fort Walton Beach Republican who chairs the Finance and Tax Committee, tried to amend a House bill (HB 1187) making changes to the state’s Department of Business […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House voted 82-37 to approve a bill that allows members of the clergy to refuse to perform gay marriages. The passage came after more than an hour of passionate debate. Opponents questioned why the bill (HB 43) was needed, with some calling it an insult to the state’s gay community. “This bill is […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

A judicial term limits initiative that is stalled in the Senate barely passed out of the House Wednesday. The House approved the measure (HB 197) on a 76-38 vote. Because imposing term limits on appellate judges and justices requires changing the state constitution, it needed three-fifths of the House, or at least 72 votes. A […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2016

State Rep. Matt Gaetz has introduced his own amendment to a judicial term-limits bill that will be before the House Tuesday, inspired by the debate over naming a successor to the late U.S. Supreme Court Antonin Scalia. That amendment reads in part: “… if a justice of the (state) supreme court dies within one year […]

Tag: John Wood

Neil Combee announces first wave of Polk County endorsements

BusinessForce endorses Republican Sam Killebrew in HD 41

Bill Rufty: A political rarity in HD 41 – Republican, Democrat agree

HD 41 candidate Sam Killebrew to hold Lakeland fundraiser Thursday

Eric Lesh and Mark Ferrulo: Another legislative power grab for control of the courts

Eric Lesh and Mark Ferrulo: Another legislative power grab for control of the courts

Fantasy sports bill fumbles in Florida House

Florida House votes 82-37 to approve “Pastor Protection” Act

House passes judicial term limits in close vote

Matt Gaetz and the “Scalia amendment”