Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsJune 12, 2017

In advance of his 2018-20 House Speakership, state Rep. Jose Oliva‘s political committee this year has been sharing the wealth with his friends and allies, campaign finance records accessed Monday show. Most recently, the Miami Lakes Republican’s committee, called Conservative Principles for Florida, gave $1,000 on May 19 to fellow House Republican Jose Felix Diaz’s […]

Bill RuftyJune 8, 2017

Former state Rep. Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven said he will run for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. The grandson of the late citrus baron and one-time gubernatorial candidate, Ben Hill Griffin Jr., Troutman will enter the competitive race to succeed Adam Putnam, a Bartow Republican who is term-limited and is running for governor. “I will file […]

Staff ReportsJune 6, 2017

Matt Caldwell brought in more than $100,000 in less than a month, his campaign announced this week. The North Fort Myers Republican raised $101,1575 for his 2018 agriculture commissioner bid during a 20-day period in May. While Caldwell filed to run for the statewide office May 1, he did not begin fundraising until after the […]

Mitch PerryMay 17, 2017

Republican Agriculture Commissioner candidate Denise Grimsley made the first of what should be many visits to Tampa during the next year-and-a-half, introducing herself to local Republicans and speaking about her credentials as to why she’s the best candidate to succeed Adam Putnam. Like Putnam, she’s a fifth-generation Floridian, but unlike him, she had an entire career outside […]

Staff ReportsMay 17, 2017

Rep. Matt Caldwell is introducing himself to voters in a new campaign video. Caldwell, who formally launched his bid for Agriculture Commissioner on Monday, released a video — which was first reported by POLITICO Florida — introducing himself to voters and explaining why he was running for the statewide office. The 2 minute and 30 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 15, 2017

Updated 12 noon — State Rep. Matt Caldwell formally announced his candidacy for Agriculture Commissioner on Monday morning, in an event that was livestreamed on his Facebook page. “I’m thrilled to kick off my campaign with all of you in my hometown,” he told the crowd at Sun Harvest Citrus in Fort Myers. “Growing up, I never made […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 10, 2017

Matt Caldwell is ready to kick is campaign for agriculture commissioner into high gear. The North Fort Myers Republican will officially kick-off his campaign with an event at Sun Harvest Citrus, 14601 Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers at 11:15 a.m., Monday. Caldwell, who had been expected to throw his hat in the race […]

Mitch PerryMay 4, 2017

Gwen Graham believes Floridians should be outraged over state lawmakers failing to honor voters’ wishes on land and water conservation. This week, the Florida House reversed course – by a nearly unanimous vote – to procure funding for the Florida Forever land conservation program starting in 2018. Approved Tuesday, the bill provides $57 million for […]

Staff ReportsMay 2, 2017

The Florida Legislature voted to send a trimmed-down version of a bill (SB 10) to build a water storage reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. A top priority for Senate President Joe Negron, the bill aims to divert toxic algae discharges from coastal communities. The measure prohibits the state from taking private property to build the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 1, 2017

Matt Caldwell has made it official, formally announcing Monday he was running for Agriculture Commissioner in 2018. Caldwell, a North Fort Myers Republican, had long been expected to enter the race. In February he told FloridaPolitics.com, that he had “every intention of filing to run in August.” But with the 2017 Legislative Session nearing an […]

Tag: Matt Caldwell
School lunches. Image via AP.

Jose Oliva’s political committee spreads the (financial) love

Baxter Troutman entering competitive Agriculture Commissioner race

Matt Caldwell raised more than $100K for Agriculture Commissioner bid in May

Ag. Commish candidate Denise Grimsley introduces herself to Tampa Republicans

Matt Caldwell releases first campaign video

Matt Caldwell announces run for Agriculture Commissioner

Matt Caldwell to kick-off Ag Commissioner campaign Monday in Fort Myers

Gwen Graham vows to ensure Amendment 1 funding if elected Governor

Capitol Reax: Lake Okeechobee water storage reservoir

Matt Caldwell files to run for Agriculture Commissioner