Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanMay 12, 2015

Confronted with a particularly mean Legislature that was accomplishing nothing good, Florida’s governor knew one reason why. “Remarks have been made, ‘What do we care? We won’t be around,'” he said. That was the late Lawton Chiles, commenting 20 years ago on the most immediate effect of the 1992 term limits initiative. Although the axe […]

Ryan RayMay 12, 2015

Democrat Ryan Yadav made it official today – or at least even more official than his original campaign paperwork filing last week did: the criminal defense attorney from Sanford will mount a bid to unseat Rep. Bob Cortes in District 30, one of the most mercurial districts in the state. Cortes bested former Rep. Karen Castor Dentel to take over […]

Ryan RayMay 11, 2015

A battle between two Republicans is shaping up in Polk County-based House District 41, where Winter Haven Rep. John Wood won’t stand for re-election in 2016 because of term limits. To date, the open seat has attracted Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith as well as Sam Killebrew, a retired contractor who joined the race — a la Dick Cheney — after recruiting and […]

James CallMay 6, 2015

Expect Florida lawmakers to spend a long hot summer in Tallahassee. Plus, they will be at the state Capitol for a pretty contentious fall as well. And they just might, with a little luck, be able to fit in a holiday break before returning for the 2016 Legislative Session in January. That’s the consensus of a handful […]

Martin DyckmanApril 30, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott continues to build a record that no successor should be allowed to emulate. None should even want to. But you never know. Twenty-one times now, Scott has rejected lawyers recommended by the Florida Bar for seats on some of Florida’s 26 judicial nominating commissions. The latest such act was on April […]

Guest AuthorApril 14, 2015

Early last year, Jeb Bush had a small gathering at the Biltmore in Coral Gables for a very private, serious chat about running for president in 2016. One of his top advisers, Mike Murphy, was a tad surprised to run into someone he knew as he waited for cab to leave go to the airport. […]

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2015

Although he didn’t call Patrick Murphy his “soulmate” today, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn otherwise gave as full throated endorsement as any politician can when he announced his full-fledged support for South Florida Representative Patrick Murphy in next year’s race for Senate. “I think he is where I am ideologically – which is in the center […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 31, 2015

She fielded questions from the Low Income Pool to statewide Medicaid Managed Care but it was clear from the get go that members of the Senate Health Policy Committee held Elizabeth “Liz” Dudek in high regard and her confirmation to lead the state Agency for Health Care Administration would be approved. Gov. Rick Scott reappointed […]

Guest AuthorMarch 16, 2015

Some governors are slow learners. Gov. Rick Scott is beyond slow. He doesn’t learn. He doesn’t appear to care about public access to records, meetings and information traditionally available to Floridians. Most governors have a bit of trouble getting used to working in the fishbowl of state government, particularly if they won election without stopping […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 2, 2015

First District Court of Appeal Judge Nikki Ann Clark is retiring effective June 1. In an interview with Florida Politics, Clark said she has been a judge 22 years and before that worked as an attorney for 17 years. “That’s enough,” said Clark, 63. “It’s time to turn that page and start that new chapter.” […]

Tag: Lawton Chiles
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Martin Dyckman: Add House-Senate meltdown to ill effects of Florida's term limits

Ryan Yadav formally announces a run in HD 30

Race to succeed John Wood heats up in Polk County House district

Reporters’ roundtable: Lawmakers back again, and again, to Tallahassee

Martin Dyckman: Gov. Scott's contempt of court must be stopped

Brian Crowley: Should Jeb Bush step aside for Marco Rubio?

Bob Buckhorn embraces Patrick Murphy’s ideology as he gives his endorsement in Tampa

Senate committee OKs Liz Dudek to continue as AHCA Secretary

Lucy Morgan: To Rick Scott, open government is a closed book

1st DCA Judge Nikki Ann Clark announces June 1 retirement