Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersOctober 25, 2018

Florida added 264,413 voters since the Aug. 28 primary with Democrats out-registering Republicans by nearly 18,000 during the period. Florida now has 13,278,070 voters registered to cast ballots in the Nov. 6 general election, according to the new book closing reports posted by the Florida Division of Elections, through last Thursday’s book-closing date for registering. […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 19, 2018

Incumbent Republican Sen. Keith Perry has a big lead over Democratic challenger Kayser Enneking in the race for Gainesville-based Senate District 8. According to a new survey from St. Pete Polls, Perry currently has 49 percent support compared to just 38 percent support for Enneking. Former Gainesville City Commissioner Charles Goston, who lost his re-election […]

Scott PowersApril 17, 2018

Warning that Florida may be in violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act, state Sen. Victor Torres on Tuesday led a group of eight mostly-Hispanic Democratic lawmakers in urging Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner to respond to reports that some Florida counties are not providing Spanish-language elections materials. Torres and the others wrote to […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2017

Two people protesting the 515-mile-long Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline wedged themselves into a section of the pipe in north Florida. The Ocala Star-Banner reports that the man and woman were eventually removed Wednesday afternoon from the 3-foot-wide pipe after Marion County Fire Rescue responded. One of the protesters, Carrie Ford, sent a video while […]

Larry GriffinNovember 17, 2016

The Orlando Political Observer, a local political news site, has changed hands — now it’s owned Doug Kaplan, a Winter Park-based pollster and president of market research firm Gravis Marketing. Kaplan purchased the Orlando Political Observer from founder Frank Torres, according to a story on the site written by Torres himself. Kaplan assured readers in the OPO story […]

Jim RosicaOctober 17, 2016

A Marion County circuit judge is giving a statewide racehorse owners group 20 days to explain why it shouldn’t be ordered to consider changing the way it operates. The “order to show cause” was entered against The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Friday. It is based in Ocala, informally known as “Horse Capital of the World.” Horse trainer Adolfo […]

Scott PowersMay 20, 2016

Marion County Sheriff Chris Blair has been arrested for felony perjury and removed from office. Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday that he was suspending Blair from office immediately and appointing Emery Gainey immediately to replace him as Marion County sheriff. On Thursday, a Marion County grand jury indicted Blair on two counts of perjury and […]

Mitch PerryMay 13, 2016

Well, so much for that much-anticipated San Antonio-Golden State NBA Western Final. Congrats to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who took down the Spurs in six. Gotta love the unexpected. Today the Republican Party of Florida hosts the first of a two-day spring meeting in Tampa. I just realized the Republicans always hold these type of […]

Peter SchorschApril 27, 2016

A North Florida school board approved a measure on Tuesday that will limit restrooms to students based on their birth sex, not their gender identity. The Marion County School Board approved the ban, which took effect Wednesday morning. The decision came despite a warning from the American Civil Liberties Union that the ban is unlawful, […]

Drew WilsonMarch 6, 2016

Lady Lake Republican Rep. Marlene O’Toole has filed to run for the newly redrawn Senate District 12 seat, setting up a primary battle between her and fellow Republican Rep. Dennis Baxley. O’Toole currently represents District 33 in the Florida House and, like Baxley, is finishing up her last term as a Representative, though her Lake […]

Tag: Marion County
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Voter registration up 264K since primary with Democrats registering most

Keith Perry has double-digit lead over Kayser Enneking in SD 8

Victor Torres leads effort demanding Spanish materials in Florida elections offices

2 protesters removed from section of Sabal Trail pipeline

Orlando Political Observer purchased by Doug Kaplan-led group

Judge slaps horse group with ‘show cause’ order

Marion Co. Sheriff Chris Blair charged with perjury, removed from office

Mitch Perry Report for 5.13.16 – Friday 13th edition

Marion County School Board blocks transgender kids from choosing restroom

Marlene O’Toole files for SD 12 race, setting up primary battle with Dennis Baxley