Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersDecember 19, 2017

With the scheduled end coming for a federal emergency housing voucher program being used by Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria, state Sen. Victor Torres and several other Democratic lawmakers are urging Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello to ask the federal government for an extension. The program provides temporary housing vouchers for people who’ve fled […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2017

The Florida Democratic Party now says Sen. Jack Latvala “must resign” in light of “the numerous allegations of sexual harassment against” him. The party released a statement Tuesday through its spokeswoman, Johanna Cervone. It follows calls from fellow GOP senators also calling for him to, or suggesting that he, step down from office. “Latvala’s behavior is […]

Peter SchorschDecember 5, 2017

JJR, you serious? At around 6:30 p.m. Friday — the day Michael Flynn pled guilty in federal court, in case you’d forgotten — Florida state Senator and Democratic primary candidate in the crowded CD 27 field, JJR (née José Javier Rodriguez) sent an email with the subject line “Impeachment.” Interesting, I thought, as JJR has […]

Ana CeballosDecember 4, 2017

As he advocates for specific changes to the Senate’s sexual harassment policy currently under review, Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez said Monday “serious rules” are needed to make sure powerful senators like Jack Latvala stop making a “mockery of serious allegations.” “Without independent investigation or serious rules, persons in power will game the system, intimidate victims […]

Drew WilsonNovember 29, 2017

Former Republican Rep. Erik Fresen‘s campaign account for his 2020 bid for Senate District 37 was zeroed out Wednesday with more than $125,000 in expenditures, most of which headed to charities. Fresen represented part of Miami in the Florida House from 2008 through 2016, and did not file any personal tax returns while in office. […]

Drew WilsonNovember 24, 2017

One of the top Republican candidates running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Florida’s 27th Congressional District withdrew from the race earlier this week, leaving two GOP candidates and a slew of Democrats in the mix for 2018. Raquel Regalado’s exit from the race was first reported by the Miami Herald, which received […]

Mitch PerryNovember 16, 2017

EMILY’s List, the political action committee that supports pro-choice female Democrat candidates, is endorsing former judge Mary Barzee Flores for Congress in Florida’s 27th Congressional District. CD 27 is the Miami-Dade County seat which will open next year for the first time in three decades when Republican incumbent Ileana Ros-Lehtinen steps down. “Mary Barzee Flores has built a […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 25, 2017

Florida Department of Corrections’s troubled security operations were big talkers Wednesday in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice. DOC Secretary Julie L. Jones addressed staffing patterns, contraband reduction efforts and use-of-force incidents. Major issues faced by the DOC are familiar to longtime observers, including continued staff attrition, overcrowding, increases in contraband, and a secretary confronting […]

Scott PowersOctober 17, 2017

The mad scramble of candidates to replace retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Florida’s 27th Congressional District has heated up with big money: six candidates who’ve already raised more than $200,000 apiece and a total of more than $2 million going into a race without an incumbent. Almost all of those sums were raised […]

Scott PowersOctober 10, 2017

The Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, a national group organized in the fallout of last year’s Pulse gay nightclub massacre in Orlando, announced Tuesday it is endorsing Democratic state Rep. David Richardson in the race for Florida’s 27th Congressional District. Richardson is openly gay, and he has been an outspoken advocate for gun law […]

Tag: Jose Javier Rodriguez
Melania and Donald Trump with Pope Francis. Image via AP.

With program set to end, Victor Torres, other Democrats seek extension to Puerto Rican housing

Florida Democratic Party: Jack Latvala ‘must resign’

Is José Javier Rodriguez calling for Donald Trump’s impeachment?

State Senator says Jack Latvala is making ‘mockery of serious allegations’

Erik Fresen zeroed out campaign fund with $93K to charity

Raquel Regalado exits crowded race to replace Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

EMILY’s List backs Mary Barzee Flores in CD 27 scrum

Florida Corrections head: ‘We’re working staff to death’

CD 27 scramble already draws $2 million in campaign donations

Pride Fund endorses David Richardson in CD 27