Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersOctober 24, 2016

The felony hit-and-run case against former lobbyist Richard D. Anderson is scheduled for a plea negotiation settlement Wednesday but the state prosecutor’s office indicated they expect the case to head to trial at a date to be determined. Anderson, 62, of Apopka, faces five criminal charges including leaving the scene of a crash involving injury […]

Peter SchorschAugust 31, 2016

I don’t think ex-Commissioner Jimmy Conner is racist — but he sure thought Lake County voters were. A fixture in local politics for decades, the bombastic Conner bet his campaign on a stridently anti-Mexican, Trump-esque appeal to Republican Primary voters. It turned out to be a bad bet. Voters handed Conner a surprising loss and […]

Scott PowersJuly 26, 2016

This year, Central Florida voters have an unprecedented diversity of candidates to pick from for the region’s five congressional districts, and at least one, probably two, and possibly more heterosexual-white-male dynasties will fall. Straight, white, male members of Congress have always held the congressional seats in Florida’s 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Congressional Districts. […]

Scott PowersJuly 20, 2016

A plea negotiation conference and possible sentencing for lobbyist and former Apopka city official Richard D. Anderson have been set for early August in the hit-and-run driving case he faces in Lake County. Anderson, 62, of Apopka, is out on bond after being arrested in late May in connection with a hit-and-run vehicle crash April […]

Scott PowersJune 1, 2016

Belle Isle interim city manager, Apopka consultant and lobbyist Richard Anderson turned himself in to authorities yesterday after being charged with a hit-and-run case that hospitalized another driver back in April. After investigating the Lake County case, the Florida Highway Patrol sought and received an arrest warrant for Anderson Tuesday, according to FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes. […]

Drew WilsonMarch 6, 2016

Lady Lake Republican Rep. Marlene O’Toole has filed to run for the newly redrawn Senate District 12 seat, setting up a primary battle between her and fellow Republican Rep. Dennis Baxley. O’Toole currently represents District 33 in the Florida House and, like Baxley, is finishing up her last term as a Representative, though her Lake […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 11, 2016

Belleview Republican Rep. Dennis Baxley said Thursday he’s shifting his Senate campaign to newly redrawn District 12, because of incumbent Republican Sen. Alan Hays‘ decision to run for the Lake County elections supervisor post. “This district is my home. It is where I have done business, raised children, and served the public. I am honored […]

Bill RuftyDecember 3, 2015

Republican U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland said he can live with the new shape of his 15th Congressional District approved by the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday even though it cuts more of his home county out of his district. Like many Florida members of Congress, Ross’ district boundaries changed when the court certified […]

Associated PressNovember 23, 2015

One of Florida’s most iconic landmarks has been restored. The giant orange has weathered many of the ups and downs of the state’s citrus industry. The orange came to Lake County in 1971 when the industry was booming and more than 130,000 acres were dedicated to citrus farming. Many roadside citrus stands at the time […]

Diane RobertsAugust 18, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – They stamp their feet, they scream till they’re sick, and hold their breath till they’re blue. They act like 5-year-olds caught with their grotty little paws in the cookie jar, their faces covered in crumbs, as they swear they didn’t do anything wrong. The Special – or Remedial – Session. While all […]

Tag: Lake County
Pastel colored tropical townhomes

Richard Anderson case discusses plea bargains but aims toward trial

Jimmy Conner crashes and burns, takes Sentinel’s Lauren Ritchie down with him

Straight, white, male dynasties falling in Central Florida congressional districts

Richard Anderson plea negotiation, possible sentencing in hit-and-run case set for August

Lobbyist Richard Anderson jailed for April hit-and-run

Marlene O’Toole files for SD 12 race, setting up primary battle with Dennis Baxley

Dennis Baxley shifts Senate campaign to newly redrawn SD 12

Dennis Ross glad he’s “still living in his district” after redistricting

Landmark of Florida citrus industry restored

Diane Roberts: Democracy in Florida remains lost in spite of new maps