Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 31, 2018

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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, […]

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

Now that Palm Coast Republican Rep. Paul Renner has hit his signature requirements, all three lawmakers in line to be House Speaker have qualified for the ballot by petition. Petition requirements are pegged to 1 percent of the registered voters within a district, and in Renner’s case he needed 1,282 valid signatures to make the […]

Drew WilsonMay 8, 2018

Tampa Republican Rep. Shawn Harrison, who is once again facing a formidable challenger in House District 63, added $7,850 to his campaign account and $44,500 to his political committee last month. The April report shows 10 contributions, including seven checks for $1,000, the maximum allowable contribution for state legislative races. The new report brings his […]

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2018

Lawmakers have moved from informal talks to exchanging offers toward a Special Session on gambling, sources said late Monday. That’s despite an agreement announced last week between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida guaranteeing that the Tribe will keep sharing gaming revenue from its casinos at least till May 2019. The impetus behind the Special Session effort is a […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2018

It’s another happy day at Hard Rock. Gov. Rick Scott Wednesday announced an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida that “extends the Tribe’s current commitment to make (gambling) revenue sharing payments to the state through May 2019.” The tribe operates Hard Rock-branded and other casinos in Florida, including the flagship Hard […]

Tag: Jose Oliva

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

Next three House Speakers make 2018 ballot by petition

Shawn Harrison hits $215K on hand with April fundraising reports

Lawmakers swapping deals toward Special Session on gambling

Deal ’em: Rick Scott, Seminole Tribe agree on gambling money