Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Drew WilsonJuly 31, 2018

Rosen_Shingle_Creek_Hotel_Orlando_Florida_Nov._2009-3500x2214.jpg

A joint fundraiser for four Central Florida Republicans is set for Wednesday evening at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. The 5:30 p.m. reception will benefit the re-election accounts of Altamonte Springs Rep. Bob Cortes, Winter Garden Rep. Robert “Bobby O” Olszewski, Longwood Rep. Scott Plakon and Orlando Rep. Rene Plasencia. The four incumbents will […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 28, 2018

One of the most significant players in Florida Republican politics, House Speaker-designate Jose Oliva, endorsed U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis for Governor Thursday. The endorsement, hours before the first Republican debate between DeSantis and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, will send a strong signal to Florida conservatives that DeSantis has meaningful backing. DeSantis, a Palm Coast Republican who’s also nailed the […]

Peter SchorschJune 23, 2018

A noon Friday deadline to make the ballot for a state legislative seat has come and gone, and 25 incumbent lawmakers (and two fresh faces) have already punched their tickets to Tallahassee. Of the 27 races that are now officially over, Republicans won a half-dozen. Most notable among that crowd is incoming House Speaker Jose […]

Peter SchorschJune 11, 2018

Richard Corcoran must be kicking himself right now. If the House Speaker knew a month ago what the rest of the state does now — that a former employee of Adam Putnam’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services failed for more than a year to conduct national background checks on applications for concealed weapons licenses — […]

Phil AmmannMay 30, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Chris Hudtwalcker is no longer legislative assistant for Miami Democratic Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez. On: Felecia Armstrong is a new district secretary for Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Kimberly Daniels. Off: Troy Gras is […]

Drew WilsonMay 25, 2018

Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva picked up another challenger in his final re-election bid for House District 110. Hialeah Democrat Julian Eduardo Santos entered the race for the Dade County district Wednesday, setting up a primary battle with fellow Democrat Duysevi Miyar, who filed last month. Oliva, who recently qualified for the ballot by petition, […]

Tag: Jose Oliva
Fox "Reynolds" Henderson. Image via getthecoast.com

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

Central Florida lawmakers raising re-election cash Wednesday night

Jose Oliva backs Ron DeSantis for Governor

25 state lawmakers re-elected without opposition

Time for Florida GOP to draft Pam Bondi?

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Second Democrat files for Jose Oliva’s House seat