Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 21, 2018

Four candidates have filed for the state House seat being given up by Republican Rep. Julio Gonzalez so he can pursue the congressional seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney. Republican Nicholas Trolli opened his campaign account ahead of Gonzalez’ announcement he would run for Florida’s 17th Congressional District, and since then another three […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 27, 2018

Ever since legislation calling for consolidating the University of South Florida System was unveiled in mid-January, officials from the St. Petersburg community have raised serious objections. The bill, sponsored by Estero Republican Ray Rodrigues (HB 423), would make USF St. Petersburg and USF Sarasota-Manatee operate separately from the main campus in Tampa under its own accreditation. […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 27, 2018

Former Rep. Ray Pilon is planning a return to the Legislature, but it isn’t due to the seismic shakeup caused by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney’s announcement that he won’t run for re-election. The Sarasota Republican said in an email to Florida Politics that he plans to file for House District 72, the seat he held […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 26, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Andrea Jahna is no longer legislative assistant to Lake Placid Republican Sen. Denise Grimsley. Off: Karen Riggien is no longer legislative assistant for Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Kimberly Daniels. Off: Daniel Martinez is no longer legislative assistant for […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

Last week U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney put out the “Rooney out” message, launching a wave of speculation over who could step in and win the heavily Republican CD 17 in the fall. So far, all the GOP candidates running to replace Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam – former Winter Haven Rep. Baxter Troutman, Lehigh Acres Rep. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 18, 2018

Charlie Crist hopes things will be different this time around. Before a public appearance at Williams Park Saturday, the St. Petersburg Democrat said he was still unconvinced the Republican-led Congress will support gun control legislation, even after 17 people were massacred last week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Several hundred people gathered in downtown St. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2018

For Sarasota-area Democrats, hope springs eternal. Tuesday night, Margaret Good won a decisive seven-point victory over Republican James Buchanan in the House District 72 special election. Now Democrats are eyeing much bigger prey — Florida’s 16th Congressional District held by Vern Buchanan, who made millions owning car dealership before turning to politics in 2006, winning a hugely controversial victory over Democrat Christine Jennings. […]

Scott PowersFebruary 14, 2018

One of the key reasons Democrat Margaret Good won the House District 72 special election Tuesday was because she and the Democratic Party pushed local issues while Republicans pushed national issues, Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Juan Penalosa said Wednesday. Good beat Republican James Buchanan 53-45 in a district that has long been considered red, and […]

Steve SchaleFebruary 14, 2018

2010 was like a living a broken record. No matter what candidates said or did, or whether they ran embracing themselves with the president, or running as their own style of Democrat, it just didn’t matter. Voters were looking to send a message, and people who had Democrat on their name tag were the only […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 14, 2018

Democrat Margaret Good won Tuesday’s special election in House District 72 in a victory that will likely set off a round of Republican recriminations … and angst. Good led the race throughout Tuesday night, leading the early balloting and ending with over 52 percent of the vote, compared to 45 percent for Republican James Buchanan, to represent HD 72 […]

Tag: Margaret Good

Four candidates running for Julio Gonzalez’ House seat

Last-hour effort to delay USF System consolidation fails

Ray Pilon planning return to House District 72

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

How the dominoes could fall after ‘Rooney out’

At St. Pete vigil for Parkland shooting, calls for political action

An early look at the Vern Buchanan-David Shapiro CD 16 showdown

Juan Penalosa: HD 72 showed Republicans talking national and losing; Democrats, local and winning

Steve Schale: The message of Sarasota

Blue wave forming? Margaret Good wins special election in House District 72

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