Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 15, 2018

Contributions were sparse in April for five Central Florida lawmakers who are still unopposed in their re-election 2018 bids – Democratic Reps. Bruce Antone, Kamia Brown, John Cortes, Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith. Of the five, Brown posted the best report last month. She showed $5,485 in contributions, which brings her to-date fundraising total […]

Scott PowersMay 11, 2018

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto‘s re-election campaign announced 20 endorsements from local elected officials in his battle with former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson for the Democratic primary in Florida’s 9th Congressional District. The endorsements came from state Sen. Victor Torres; state Reps. John Cortes, Amy Mercado, Carlos Guillermo Smith and Kamia Brown; Kissimmee Mayor José Alvarez; Lake Wales […]

Phil AmmannApril 11, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Holly Maxwell is the committee receptionist for Senate Appropriations. Off: Jay Shannon and Jacob Flaherty are no longer legislative assistants for Fort Lauderdale Democratic Sen. Gary Farmer. Off: Marilyn Barnes is no longer […]

Scott PowersApril 4, 2018

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson got an earful Wednesday from school leaders, teachers, security officers, students, and parents in Orlando, all saying that they need help making schools safer — and for the most part, they need money. In a roomful of educators and students who appeared to mostly share his Democratic views, Nelson was told […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2018

An attempt by Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith to get the state to provide $1 million to help build a Pulse nightclub memorial in Orlando drew some crossover votes from Republicans (including many from Central Florida) but failed in the House Tuesday night. The proposed amendment, which would have added $1 million for […]

Scott PowersFebruary 13, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith picked up his campaign-fundraising pace in early January for his 2018 re-election effort in Florida House District 49, bringing in nearly $24,000 even as his only opponent dropped out of the race. Smith, of Orlando, reported that his campaign raised $23,838 in the first eight days of January prior […]

Scott PowersDecember 14, 2017

Five Central Florida candidates for the Florida House each raised more than $10,000 for their campaigns in November, including incumbent Republican state Reps. Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, David Santiago, and Bob Cortes along with first-time Democratic candidate Anna Eskamani. Olszewski of Winter Garden, who took his seat after winning a special election in October, reported raising […]

Staff ReportsNovember 27, 2017

Last week, more than 25 Democratic legislative leaders from Palm Beach County and the state announced endorsing state Rep. Lori Berman in her bid for Senate District 31. Among those lining up behind Berman, a Lantana Democrat who represents HD 90, are Congressman Ted Deutch of Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, former Congressmen Patrick Murphy and […]

Scott PowersNovember 14, 2017

State Rep. Kamia Brown of Ocoee called Tuesday for the state to redouble efforts to provide mental health services for students after the apparent suicide of a student at Minneola High School in Lake County Tuesday morning. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that a 17-year-old student named Seth Sutherland shot and killed himself in the […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

Note: a previous version of this story inaccurately reported the campaign finances of Lee Mangold, Democrat running in House District 29 in northern Seminole County. Republican State Rep. David Santiago led all Central Florida candidates for the Florida House of Representatives in October fundraising drawing in $21,000 for his re-election bid in Florida’s House District […]

Tag: Kamia Brown

Light fundraising month for Orange County’s unopposed House incumbents

Darren Soto announces 20 local endorsements in CD 9 race

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

School officials, teachers, students tell Bill Nelson money is needed

Carlos Smith’s $1M Pulse memorial amendment draws some Republicans, but fails

Carlos Smith tops Orange County legislative candidates, raising $23K

Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, Anna Eskamani, lead Central Florida House campaign gains

Lori Berman nabs two dozen endorsements in SD 31 bid

Kamia Brown calls for ‘redoubled’ mental health efforts after school suicide

David Santiago leads all Central Florida House candidates in October fundraising