Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiNovember 12, 2018

For a second straight Legislative session, a Clay County Republican will be key to the budget process. Just as Sen. Rob Bradley chaired Senate Appropriations in 2018, chairing the powerful House Appropriations Committee is state Republican Rep. Travis Cummings of Orange Park. Cummings replaces former House budget chair Carlos Trujillo, who left the Legislature after being […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 7, 2018

With the election behind them, the Republican-led state House is swiftly organizing. On Wednesday, incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva, a Hialeah Republican, unveiled the committee structure for the 2019 and 2020 Legislative Sessions. Filling in as Speaker Pro-Tempore is Rep. MaryLynn Magar, a Hobe Sound Republican. She replaces state Rep. Jeannette Nunez, who was elected Lieutenant Governor […]

Ryan NicolNovember 6, 2018

Cindy Polo clawed out an underdog victory Tuesday night, topping her better-funded GOP opponent Frank Mingo. Polo earned 53 percent of the vote, while Mingo received 47 percent. The candidates were running to replace current GOP state Rep. Manny Diaz. Tuesday night, Diaz battled Democratic candidate David Perez for the seat in Senate District 36. […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 20, 2018

Republican nominee for Governor Ron DeSantis rolled out an education policy this week that wasn’t too different from that of dispatched primary rival Adam Putnam, with emphasis on school choice (charter schools) and vocational training. As yet another signal of DeSantis being embraced by establishment Republicans, his campaign on Thursday rolled out a list of endorsements for his […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 14, 2018

Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva will take over chairmanship of the Public Integrity and Ethics Committee “to investigate the misuse of funds by the University of Central Florida,” term-limited Speaker Richard Corcoran announced Friday. The university’s chief financial officer, William Merck, stepped down Thursday after an audit revealed the school improperly used $38 million in state […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 10, 2018

Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva and the two Republican lawmakers set to succeed him in that post will be in Orlando next week for a fundraiser benefitting the re-election campaigns of their Central Florida colleagues. Oliva, Palm Harbor Rep. Chris Sprowls and Palm Coast Rep. Paul Renner will headline the Sept. 12 fundraising reception at […]

Danny McAuliffeAugust 30, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott is again asking the Legislature to reconvene and redistribute unused funds from a program that arms non-educator faculty members and security guards in Florida’s schools. Scott publicly asked members of the Joint Legislative Budget Commission to meet and unlock the money last week. Shortly afterward, Bill Galvano, incoming Senate President, and Jose Oliva, incoming […]

Drew WilsonAugust 29, 2018

Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva is holding a fundraiser in Tallahassee next week benefitting the new crop of Republican nominees running for the Florida House in the fall. The fundraising reception well be held at the DoubleTree Hilton, 101 South Adams Street, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to Oliva, Palm Harbor Rep. […]

Drew WilsonAugust 13, 2018

Congressman Ron DeSantis has held an edge in the polls for weeks, but now he’s started eating into Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s fundraising lead, too. DeSantis, whose chances surged after an endorsement from President Donald Trump, brought in more than $1 million between July 28 and Aug. 3. Putnam, meanwhile, brought in $191,901. DeSantis’ cash mostly […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 7, 2018

The Florida House Speaker-designate and a prominent Christian conservative group on Tuesday endorsed Fred Costello to succeed U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis in Florida’s 6th Congressional District. Costello, a former state representative from Ormond Beach who has been a distant third in the money race with Ponte Vedra’s John Ward and St. Augustine Beach’s Mike Waltz, has predicated his bid on grassroots […]

Tag: Jose Oliva

House budget chief Travis Cummings optimistic about Ron DeSantis era

Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva names committee chairs

Cindy Polo shocks Frank Mingo in HD 103

Jeb Bush, Richard Corcoran laud Ron DeSantis’ education policy

Jose Oliva to lead investigation of misspent state money at UCF

Top House Republicans holding fundraiser for Central Florida incumbents

Rick Scott: Leftover guardian funds ‘cannot go to waste in Tallahassee’

Top House Republicans raising cash for party nominees next week

Ron DeSantis adds another $1M as Adam Putnam’s money machine slows to a crawl

Fred Costello touts endorsements from Jose Oliva, Florida Family Action