Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanMarch 2, 2015

A bit of ancient wisdom in the legal profession holds that if the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. And if both the facts and law are against you? Argue jurisdiction: tell the court that it has no business hearing the case. Secretary of State […]

Bob SparksFebruary 12, 2015

As the 2015 legislative session approaches, committees and sub-committees are pouring over hundreds of bills. Some of these bills are good ideas, while others are not so good. There is another category for bills that reflect a reasonable idea, but one whose time might be in the future. The latter best describes House Bill 227 […]

James CallDecember 17, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott’s second-term management team continues to take shape with December appointments and reappointments. Wednesday Scott announced Cynthia O’Connell and Ken Detzner will continue in their roles as Secretary of the Lottery and Secretary of State. O’Connell was appointed Lottery Secretary in 2011 and is a former advertising manager for First Florida Bank Inc. […]

Martin DyckmanSeptember 18, 2014

Voters across Florida cast ballots in November 2000 to say whether they wanted to continue electing most of their circuit and county court judges or would let the governor appoint them. Election was the overwhelming favorite everywhere. In Duval, Nassau and Clay counties, which comprise the Fourth Circuit, it was the choice of 69.3 percent […]

Mark FerruloApril 16, 2014

On April 1 a federal appeals court issued a ruling that squashed Gov. Rick Scott’s politically driven, error-riddled 2012 “voter purge.” This decision underscored what nearly every political observer already knew: Scott’s effort to purge the rolls was not only flawed, but also illegal. The National Voter Registration Act clearly prohibits any program that purges […]

Bob SparksApril 2, 2014

Florida’s Secretary of State as well as the former United States Secretary of State both have been in the news recently. Ken Detzner may not know Condoleeza Rice, but they could compare notes about freedom of speech. Detzner, and by extension the administration of Gov. Rick Scott, are accused of silencing a critic by […]

Daniel TilsonNovember 26, 2013

Looking back at Florida politics in 2013, I’m thankful for memories that will serve as critical reminders heading into the midterm elections. Thank you, Republican state representatives, for refusing to take $51 billion in federal dollars for Medicaid or some equivalent kind of healthcare expansion in Florida. Talk about killing two birds! You must’ve been […]

Daniel TilsonOctober 9, 2013

With Secretary of State Ken Detzner wrapping up a five-city tour selling a new and improved version of voter purging, it’s worth noting that some citizens still don’t know or believe that the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) engaged in a voter suppression conspiracy leading up to the debacle that was the 2012 election. That’s not suspicion or rumor. […]

Tag: Ken Detzner
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Image via Visit Florida.

Martin Dyckman: Rick Scott is rich, and the disclosure law is poor

Bob Sparks: GOP should embrace and shape online voter registration

Sec State Ken Detzner and Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell stay for second term

Martin Dyckman: How the First District Court of Appeal ignored Florida voters

Mark Ferrulo: Recent rulings show why we need quality federal judges

Bob Sparks: Attempts to limit critical voices is usually a bad idea

Daniel Tilson: Giving thanks to Florida politicians who make 2014 matter

Daniel Tilson: Coming soon: “Deliberative & transparent” 2014 Florida voter purge