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Associated PressAugust 29, 2016

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy are campaigning as if Tuesday’s primary was already over and they won their parties’ nominations for U.S. Senate. And it may be for good reason. Rubio’s main challenger, Carlos Beruff, appeared to throw in the towel, essentially shutting down the campaign he’d sunk $8 million of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 29, 2016

Marco Rubio looked to define his opponent Monday, telling Southwest Florida voters there will be a clear contrast come Election Day. “The Democrats will have a primary tomorrow, and we’ll see who their choice is,” said Rubio during a stop at the Cape Coral Military Museum. “I can tell you who the Democratic choice is […]

Peter SchorschAugust 27, 2016

Top Senate Republicans brought in big hauls through their political committees over the past two weeks, according to newly filed finance reports. Between Aug. 13 and Aug. 25, Fort Myers Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto raised $142,500 through her “Protect Florida Families” committee, including $50,000 checks from Trilby Sen. Wilton Simpson’s “Jobs for Florida” committee and Sen. Bill Galvano’s […]

Peter SchorschAugust 23, 2016

When it comes to Joe Negron’s plan to save the Everglades, not everyone feels the answer is to “buy the land.” The problem? The Stuart Republican’s proposal is painfully short on details, says a recent editorial in the Fort Myers News-Press. Negron, the incoming Senate President, is pushing the state to purchase 60,000 acres of […]

Peter SchorschAugust 16, 2016

Florida candidates and committees collected more than $10.5 million in contributions for the July 30 through Aug. 5 reporting period, though a lot of that money can be tagged to a handful of players. More than a quarter of that total came from utility companies pumping money into “Consumers for Smart Solar,” the committee backing […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 9, 2016

Senate Republicans are racking up frequent flier miles this summer. The Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee is holding a fundraiser in New York City on Wednesday. The event includes a VIP reception at the The London NYC, a luxury hotel in the heart of New York City, and a private dinner at A Voce, a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 9, 2016

Lizbeth Benacquisto raised more than $44,000 in just seven days, boosting her total fundraising haul to more than $394,000. State records show the Fort Myers Republican raised $44,475 between July 23 and July 29. The one-week fundraising haul boosted her total fundraising to $394,316. Top donors included the Florida Society of Pathologists, JLR Medical Group, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 8, 2016

Marco Rubio has support from the majority of Southwest Florida’s legislative delegation. The campaign rolled out its Southwest Florida grassroots leadership team Monday. The team, which includes leaders from Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, includes most of the Collier and Lee county legislative delegation. The team includes Sens. Lizbeth Benacquisto and Garrett Richter, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

Most incumbents facing primary competition can count on a little help from their friends. And State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto is no exception. Benacquisto is running for re-election in Southwest Florida’s Senate District 27, facing Republican Jason Maughan in the Aug. 30 primary. An interesting donor of late: “Working for Florida’s Families,” the political action committee of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 3, 2016

The endorsements keep coming. The Florida Retail Federation announced it was backing state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto in her re-election bid. The endorsement was one of several the state’s retail trade association announced Wednesday. The association also endorsed Reps. Brad Drake, Tom Goodson and Rene Plasencia. “Retail is such an important industry in the success of […]

Tag: Lizbeth Benacquisto

Marco Rubio, Patrick Murphy look confident before Florida’s Senate primary

Marco Rubio makes final swing through Florida ahead of primary

Republican Senate leaders raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in run up to primary elections

News-Press editorial says Joe Negron Everglades plan needs work, more details

Utilities, trial lawyers give big in recent reporting period

Florida Senate GOP raising money Wednesday in Big Apple

Lizbeth Benacquisto raises $44K in SD 27 primary

Marco Rubio unveils Southwest Florida grassroots leadership team

Rob Bradley political committee gives $5,000 to Lizbeth Benacquisto PAC

Florida Retail Federation endorses Lizbeth Benacquisto