Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 5, 2016

Most people outside of Putnam County never saw it coming until the very end. In the House District 19 race to succeed Charles Van Zant, expectations were that Katherine Van Zant or former Florida GOP chair Leslie Dougher would win. Both had bigger names. Van Zant had more money. An interested party made sure that media throughout Northeast […]

Peter SchorschJuly 25, 2016

On Friday, the Florida Realtors PAC made its endorsements for the 2016 election cycle. There are more than 400 candidates who have qualified to run for the 160 seats in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. According to a release from the organization, candidates were evaluated on numerous factors, including their voting record on issues […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 21, 2016

On Thursday, the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) endorsed candidates in Northeast Florida races. “Endorsements are based on a candidate’s proven record or expressed commitment to supporting the housing and construction industry in the best interests of the community and the economy,” read the statement from NEFBA. Of interest are endorsements for open seats. In […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 12, 2016

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April’s fundraising story in the House District 19 GOP primary is familiar: Katherine Van Zant is well ahead, and Bobby Payne and Leslie Dougher trail. New money totaling $7,607 in April brought Van Zant, the wife of the incumbent Charles Van Zant, up to $137,740 raised. All told, Van Zant has just over $103,000 on hand. Much of Van […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 10, 2016

In House District 19, it’s all but certain that the Republican primary winner will replace Charles Van Zant in Tallahassee. If a new survey of 582 likely voters is valid, that seat will stay in the family. An internal poll of HD 19 likely primary voters shows Katherine Van Zant, wife of the term-limited incumbent, well ahead of […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 28, 2016

Among the most prized industry endorsements of candidates in Northeast Florida: those from NEFAR, aka the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. FloridaPolitics.com has received a list of the endorsements made thus far. In the state Senate races, there are no real surprises. Incumbents Aaron Bean, Rob Bradley, Audrey Gibson, and Travis Hutson got the nod in Senate Districts 4, 5, 6 […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 20, 2016

The Northeast Florida Builders Association, as it does every election cycle, is making endorsements in House races … and the names might surprise some. NEFBA backs Sheri Treadwell in HD 11, elder care lawyer Mark MacLean in HD 12, and former RPOF Chair Leslie Dougher in HD 19. While Treadwell is the leading fundraiser in her race, MacLean […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2016

An HD 19 Republican candidate forum is slated for Palatka Saturday, headlined by incoming Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran. Corcoran will discuss his vision for his Speakership. The three Republican candidates, Leslie Dougher, Bobby Payne and Katherine Van Zant, will then have an opportunity to address the crowd, and offer one-on-ones with prospective voters. Currently, […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 16, 2016

Despite being termed out, HD 19 Representative Charles Van Zant, will hold a town hall in Middleburg The meeting is 4 p.m. Saturday at the MorningStar Church. “The objective,” claims the Facebook invite, “is to inform the constituents of what is going on in Tallahassee: updates in the legislature, progress made, progress to be made, political issues […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 18, 2016

The HD 19 money race continues to go badly for former RPOF chairwoman Leslie Dougher. She’s in a distant third place after February’s numbers. About $6,136 of February money brings Dougher up to $48,912 total money raised, leaving her with just over $26,500 cash on hand. That compares unfavorably to her Clay County rival, Katherine Van […]

Tag: Leslie Dougher
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Bobby Payne’s HD 19 victory surprised outsiders, but not him

15 picks that stand out among the Florida Realtors’ 2016 legislative endorsements

Northeast Florida Builders Association rolls out endorsements

GOP candidate Katherine Van Zant extends HD 19 money lead

Internal poll shows Katherine Van Zant leading in HD 19 GOP race

Northeast Florida Association of Realtors announces endorsements

Northeast Florida Builders endorse Sheri Treadwell, Mark MacLean, Leslie Dougher for State House

HD 19 candidate forum set for Palatka Saturday, with Richard Corcoran on hand

Charles Van Zant holds Middleburg Town Hall Saturday

Leslie Dougher falls further behind in HD 19 cash dash