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Staff ReportsAugust 1, 2016

There are just a few weeks until the election, and organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. Several organizations — including the Conservative Leadership PAC, the National Organization for Women in Florida, and Florida REALTORS PAC — issued endorsements. — The International Association of Firefighters and the Florida Professional […]

Staff ReportsJuly 22, 2016

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There are just a few weeks until the election, and organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. Several organizations — including the National Rifle Association, Fraternal Order of Police, and the Eagle Forum PAC — issued endorsements. — The American Conservative Union (ACU) has thrown its support behind Rep. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 11, 2016

The group behind an advertisement targeting a Southwest Florida state Senate hopeful says there is no basis to pull it from circulation. The Fort Myers News-Press reported Jason Maughan sent a cease-and-desist letter last week to try to get stations to stop airing a commercial attacking him. The request came after a 30-second spot dramatizing […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 8, 2016

There’s less than two months until Floridians start casting votes, and organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. Several organizations — including the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce — issued endorsements this week. — Florida Parents Against […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJuly 7, 2016

Floridians with disabilities will now be able to save up to $100,000 in a tax-free account to pay for their health care, education and job training without jeopardizing their government benefits. Under a 2015 law, sponsored by Estero Republican Rep. Ray Rodrigues and Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, a Fort Myers Republican, ABLE United launched the program […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 6, 2016

There’re breakfasts and tailgates, post-session beers and pre-session rallies. The Republican Party of Florida outlined the schedule for state delegates in a 17-page packet this week. The packets, sent to the 99 delegates and 96 alternates heading to the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, are meant to give Florida Republicans a rundown of the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 1, 2016

Lizbeth Benacquisto raised more than $50,000 in June, bring her total fundraising haul to more than $300,000. State records show Benacquisto raised $52,600 between June 1 and June 24. The three-week haul brings the Fort Myers Republican’s fundraising total to $306,571. Benacquisto received $1,000 donations from “Working for Florida’s Families,” the political committee backing Sen. Ron […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 30, 2016

Three Southwest Florida lawmakers are asking Gov. Rick Scott to include Lee County in an emergency declaration to address blue-green algae blooms. In a joint statement Thursday, Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, and Reps. Matt Caldwell and Ray Rodrigues said Scott’s emergency declaration for Martin and St. Lucie counties is “drawing much-needed attention to the algal blooms and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 28, 2016

A state Senate hopeful plead guilty to reckless endangerment when he was in his 20s, but said he doesn’t think the decades-old incident should be a factor in his campaign. Jason Maughan, a Sanibel Island Republican and candidate in Senate District 27, was charged in 1995 with reckless endangerment in the first degree and malicious […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 24, 2016

Southwest Florida will have closed primaries in two state Senate races, after write-in candidates filed to run for office in the waning days of the qualifying period. Lizbeth Benacquisto will face Jason Maughan in the Senate District 27 Republican primary. On Tuesday, Cape Coral resident Dakota Austin Eads filed and qualified to run for the […]

Tag: Lizbeth Benacquisto

Endorsement Watch: Conservative Leadership PAC, Florida Realtors, National Organization for Women in Florida, and others issue endorsements

Endorsement watch: NRA, Fraternal Order of Police, Eagle Forum PAC and others issue endorsements

Political committee says it ‘stands by facts’ in spot targeting Jason Maughan

Endorsement watch: Florida Parents Against Common Core, Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, Florida Retail Federation and others issue endorsements

ABLE United launches, offers tax-free savings for disabled Floridians

Breakfast with Adam Putnam, briefings with Richard Corcoran highlight Florida delegates’ schedule at GOP convention

Lizbeth Benacquisto raises more than $50K in SD 27 race

Lizbeth Benacquisto, Matt Caldwell and Ray Rodrigues request Lee County be added to emergency declaration

Jason Maughan doesn’t think criminal past should impact SD 27 race

Write-in candidates qualify in two Southwest Florida state Senate races

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.