Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 3, 2015

It’s Election Day in St. Petersburg and in several other places in Florida, as well across the nation today. Let’s stay local for a moment. In St. Pete, there are three city council races on the ballot. The fourth was already won by Ed Montanari when a would-be opponent failed to qualify against him in […]

Mitch PerryNovember 2, 2015

Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz has filed legislation in the Florida House (HB 509) that would put ensure that Transportation Network Companies (TNC) such as Uber and Lyft aren’t regulated like taxi companies. The bill would require any representative for a TNC to obtain a permit from the state of Florida and pay an annual […]

Phil AmmannOctober 28, 2015

Bay County Commissioner George Gainer pushed back hard on accusations he is “standing alone in the mirror” for his Florida Senate District 1 campaign. As proof, the Northwest Florida Republican hosted a major fundraiser, attended by what supporters call a “who’s who” of Bay County business, civic and political leaders. Gainer faces state Rep. Matt Gaetz […]

Peter SchorschOctober 20, 2015

Politicians frequently humble-brag about campaign contributions, invoking “grassroots support” or furiously beating chests over the lack of special interest cash. Republican state Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is seeking the Northwest Florida Senate district held by his term-limited father, Don Gaetz, took in two donations earlier this year that certainly could be seen as “interesting.” Both are raising questions, […]

Ryan RayOctober 13, 2015

Rep. Greg Steube called a columnist’s bluff on Tuesday, filing a bill to allow guns into public hearings at the Florida Capitol. Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel wrote last week that Florida lawmakers were “gun-shy cowards” for proposing to allow guns on college campuses, but not inside the Legislature. “Republican House members have advanced two gun bills: one […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2015

Three of five Republicans running for House District 4 posted strong September fundraising numbers, with Wayne Harris still hanging on to a five-figure lead he built when he was the only candidate in the race. Harris has collected a little over $40,000 in contributions since he filed for the seat held by exiting Rep. Matt Gaetz in […]

Jim RosicaOctober 7, 2015

Two Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday said they were filing legislation to allow stronger varieties of pot as medical marijuana in Florida. State Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach and state Sen. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island announced the bill (HB 307/SB 360) at a morning press conference in the Capitol. Gaetz told reporters he joined other […]

Drew WilsonOctober 2, 2015

Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz built a sizable war chest for his Senate District 1 campaign over the last two years, but that advantage evaporated after challenger George Gainer cut a $500,000 check to his own campaign. The Bay County commissioner filed for the seat on Sept. 8 after months of rumors he would enter the […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 28, 2015

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Uber, the hired-car company seeking to secure its presence in Florida, has taken on former Florida-based lobbyist Stephanie Smith to oversee its public policy initiatives in the Sunshine State. Smith will leave her Atlanta-based post as AT&T’s director of public affairs for Florida and Georgia. As part of her job, she’ll have a hand in Uber’s media and public relations […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 23, 2015

Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant is calling on state Rep. Janet Adkins to apologize after a disclosure of her remarks about including as many prisons as possible in U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown‘s new district to help “get rid of” her. Adkins, a Fernandina Beach Republican, made the comments during a closed Republican Party of Florida meeting […]

Tag: Matt Gaetz

Mitch Perry Report for 11.3.15 – Election Day calls for election day reform

Matt Gaetz files Uber preemption bill

Matt Gaetz opponent George Gainer holds major SD 1 funder, proves he isn’t “standing alone in the mirror”

After calling for sin tax, Matt Gaetz nabs checks from South Florida strip clubs

Greg Steube files bill to allow guns into legislative meetings

Wayne Harris hangs on to fundraising lead in five-way HD 4 race

Lawmakers introduce bill for stronger medical pot

Matt Gaetz SD 1 money lead evaporates after opponent cuts $500K check

Stephanie Smith to join Uber in Florida

FDP’s Allison Tant says GOP state Rep. Janet Adkins should apologize