Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 10, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Realtors rolled out endorsements Monday for nearly every state legislative election slated for the 2018 ballot. “As Realtors, we pride ourselves on our long-standing efforts to defend private property rights, promote community prosperity and preserve a professional climate that ensures the economic growth of Florida,” said Ann DeFries, chair […]

Drew WilsonJune 11, 2018

The five lawmakers representing a piece of Polk County in the Florida House continued cruising toward Election Day with more than $90,000 in combined campaign fundraising. Winter Haven Republican Rep. Sam Killebrew had the strongest May fundraising report of the five members of the Polk delegation, all of whom are Republicans. The House District 41 […]

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 […]

Drew WilsonMay 5, 2018

Former Republican state Rep. Neil Combee is kicking off his campaign for Florida’s 15th Congressional District with an event in Polk City next week. The May 12 fundraiser will run from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Sunny Acres Lodge, owned by the family of Josie Tomkow. Combee was an avid supporter of Tomkow during […]

Bill RuftyMay 2, 2018

A ‘blue wave’ Democrats in Polk and Osceola counties had hoped for Tuesday barely made a ripple as Republican newcomer Josie Tomkow won over Democrat Ricky Shirah with a 60 percent victory in the special election for Florida House District 39. The results contrasted with the surprise February election victory in Sarasota County in which […]

Drew WilsonMay 1, 2018

Republican Josie Tomkow easily dispatched Democrat Ricky Shirah in Tuesday’s special election for House District 39. With 31 of 35 precincts counted, Tomkow held an insurmountable lead of 62 to 37 percent. “I’m honored to be entrusted by my neighbors to be their voice in Tallahassee,” Tomkow told Florida Politics. “No one will work harder […]

Bill RuftyApril 30, 2018

While the hapless state Democratic Party has done almost nothing for the underdog campaign of Ricky Shira of Lakeland in preparation for Tuesday’s special election to fill a vacancy in Florida House District 39, local grassroots organizations did. At the last minute, Shira received $280 in in-kind services from the state. But the county party, […]

Bill RuftyApril 26, 2018

Voters in Florida House District 39 will go to the polls May 1 to fill a vacancy which has existed since Nov. 24 when then-Rep. Neil Combee, a Polk City Republican, resigned to accept a presidential appointment to a U.S. Agriculture Department agency in Gainesville. But the winner will not sit in the House, because […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 20, 2018

In what may be shaping up as the political “Year of the Woman,” Josie Tomkow has won the Republican primary for House District 39, which opened up over Thanksgiving with the departure of Neil Combee. Tomkow, a 22-year-old University of Florida student, took a decisive 65 percent of the vote to become her party’s nominee for […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 4, 2018

Republican House District 39 candidate Josie Tomkow announced Wednesday that she had picked up endorsements from the National Rifle Association and the Unified Sportsmen of Florida. “Josie Tomkow is the only candidate in this race we can trust to uphold the constitution rights of law-abiding firearms owners and sportsmen,” former NRA President Marion Hammer said. […]

Tag: Josie Tomkow

Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races

Polk County delegation piles on the campaign cash in May

Neil Combee announces first wave of Polk County endorsements

Neil Combee launching CD 15 campaign May 12

In HD 39, the ‘blue wave’ barely causes a ripple

Josie Tomkow wins HD 39 special election

Polk grassroots Democrats pick up the slack in HD 39

The strange election of House District 39

Josie Tomkow KOs Jennifer Spath in HD 39 special primary election

Josie Tomkow endorsed by NRA, Unified Sportsmen of Florida