Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bob SparksFebruary 25, 2016

Sometimes during legislative sessions some unusual partnerships develop. Unlikely alliances can form to pass or defeat a measure that fits a common goal. Florida has provided a prime example of such teamwork. The philosophy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” syndrome has played out in the area of economic incentives. House Bill […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 12, 2016

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In the three-way GOP primary in HD 19, Katherine Van Zant widened her fundraising lead over Bobby Payne and former RPOF Chairwoman Leslie Dougher in January. Van Zant’s money raised is approaching $119,000, leaving her with over $93,000 cash on hand. Interesting donations: Dayspring Village, the Janet and Doug Adkins mental health care facility, ponied up $250. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 14, 2016

The big money story in the House District 19 GOP race in December is Katherine Van Zant widening her fundraising lead. There was $21,907 of December money for Van Zant, wife of Charles Van Zant, the incumbent who’s one of the more powerful Republicans in the lower house. It brings her total to $109,910, against […]

Ryan RayDecember 23, 2015

The head of the Republican Party of Florida released a recap of a busy year Wednesday, ahead of a potentially momentous one in 2016. RPOF Executive Director Brad Herold said in his retrospective the state party tried to balance expenditures of time and money trying to win a Presidential cycle in November many observers expect to favor […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 14, 2015

The resource war in the three way House District 19 GOP primary is being won by Katherine Van Zant, who has raised more than Leslie Dougher and Bobby Payne combined through November. Van Zant, the wife of the incumbent, raised almost $9,000 in November, giving her just north of $88,000 raised (against $22,284 spent). Notable: Only $750 of what […]

Drew WilsonNovember 11, 2015

October campaign finance numbers show Republican House District 19 candidate Katherine Van Zant is still the candidate to beat in the three-way primary for the seat held by her husband, termed-out Keystone Heights Rep. Charles Van Zant. Katherine Van Zant posted $9,601 in contributions last month and spent $3,779, leaving her campaign with about $56,000 […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 13, 2015

One of the most compelling State House races is the three-way dance in Northeast Florida’s HD 19, which sees Putnam County’s Bobby Payne up against two powerhouses of Clay County politics: former RPOF Chairwoman Leslie Dougher, and the wife of the incumbent, Katherine Van Zant. A $7,200 September brings Van Zant’s total to more than […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 12, 2015

In the House District 19 race, the third month of fundraising was the worst yet for former RPOF Chairwoman Leslie Dougher, as she failed to breach $2,000 in her competitive three way race with Bobby Payne and Katherine Van Zant. The $1,852 raised during September took her to $34,625. Having spent $6,607, she has $28,000 on hand. Two […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 9, 2015

Palatka Republican Bobby Payne is locked into a three-way dogfight for the House District 19 nod to replace termed-out Charles Van Zant. One of his opponents is former RPOF Chairwoman Leslie Dougher. The other? Katherine Van Zant, the current representative’s wife. Payne has one built-in advantage: He’s the Putnam County guy in a race against […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 25, 2015

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) on Friday approved a plan for candidates running in the state’s presidential preference primary that doesn’t require them to pay homage to the party faithful. The state’s GOP executive committee voted 35-1 to adopt a rule that gives candidates options to get on the ballot, instead of making them show up to November’s […]

Tag: Leslie Dougher

Bob Sparks: Battle over economic incentives features unlikely alliances

Katherine Van Zant widens cash lead in HD 19 in January; Leslie Dougher in trouble

Katherine Van Zant expands fundraising advantage in HD 19

Republican Party of Florida looks back at 2015

Katherine Van Zant dominates HD 19 fundraising

October fundraising shows Katherine Van Zant the candidate to beat in HD 19 race

HD 19 Katherine Van Zant raises $7,200 in September

HD 19 Leslie Dougher has lackluster September fundraising

HD 19’s Bobby Payne now has raised more than $40K

RPOF adopts new ballot rule for presidential primary