Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2016

Florida’s Congressional District 13 seat based in Pinellas County has received a lot of attention in recent years. The special election to replace the late C.W. “Bill” Young in 2014 was one of the most expensive congressional elections in U.S. history. After the Florida Supreme Court ordered the state Legislature to redraw the district last year which […]

Jac VerSteegApril 5, 2016

It’s bugging me that Florida, now the third-most populous state, never has managed to get a Floridian elected president. It looked like there was a great chance this year, with Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio starting out as strong possibles. Even Ben Carson looked like he had a shot at one time. But each saw […]

Jac VerSteegApril 4, 2016

It’s bugging me that Florida, now the third-most populous state, never has managed to get a Floridian elected president. It looked like there was a great chance this year, with Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio starting out as strong possibles. Even Ben Carson looked like he had a shot at one time. But each saw […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 29, 2016

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The maxim that “no good deed goes unpunished” is often borne out in politics these days, and if President Barack Obama hasn’t taped it to his shaving mirror, he should. In Merrick Garland, he found an ideal Supreme Court candidate, one whom, were the present roles reversed, a Republican president might have nominated and a […]

Darryl PaulsonMarch 29, 2016

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(Second of three parts) Political parties have held conventions in America since 1824. Many aspects of the convention have changed little in almost two centuries. This year, because the Summer Olympics are being held in August, both major parties will conduct their convention in July, with Republicans going first in Cleveland and Democrats following in […]

Darryl PaulsonMarch 28, 2016

(Second of three parts) Political parties have held conventions in America since 1824. Many aspects of the convention have changed little in almost two centuries. This year, because the Summer Olympics are being held in August, both major parties will conduct their convention in July, with Republicans going first in Cleveland and Democrats following in […]

Martin DyckmanAugust 25, 2015

Florida lost one of its oldest and best citizens when Elston Edward “Steve” Roady, a professor emeritus of political science at Florida State University, died at Tallahassee last week, four months into his 96th year. He was one of my favorite professors there, long ago, and a good friend. He did more than inspire two […]

Melissa RossJuly 30, 2015

As the two massive government programs that insure poor and older Americans turned 50 Thursday, leading insurers in Florida are brushing aside Jeb Bush‘s recent comments that Medicare should be “phased out.” “We’re not policymakers,” said Michael Lawton, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida. Lawton represents the nation’s largest private health insurer serving millions […]

Marc YachtApril 8, 2015

Healthcare inequities are costing American lives, increasing disabilities, and bankrupting families forced to choose between healthcare and essentials. Obamacare covers 16 million but an additional 32 million remain unprotected. Although insurer abuses such as cherry picking, pre-existing conditions, denials and rate gouging are being addressed, exorbitant administrative costs and high premiums continue. America’s healthcare problems […]

Guest AuthorNovember 25, 2014

After years of race riots in major cities, President Lyndon Johnson in 1967 established the Kerner Commission, shorthand for the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. He wanted to know their causes and how to prevent them. Released in 1968, the report concluded, “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white — […]

Tag: Lyndon Johnson
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Mark Bircher: I wouldn’t run if I couldn’t win CD 13

Jac VerSteeg: Want a president from Florida? Don’t send Rick Scott to the Senate

Jac VerSteeg: Want a president from Florida? Don’t send Rick Scott to the Senate

Martin Dyckman: Politics mars the Supreme Court nomination process

Darryl Paulson: Conventions have been disrupted by credentials, rules, platforms

Darryl Paulson: Conventions have been disrupted by credentials, rules, platforms

Martin Dyckman: A good friend, an inspiring teacher passes on

Florida’s insurers defend Medicare at 50

Marc Yacht: Obamacare helps, but it isn't enough

Stephen Goldstein: 50 years later, Florida remains ‘separate and unequal’