Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschSeptember 23, 2015

Earlier this year, a Florida GOP lawmaker made an immature, offensive, possibly racist comment on Twitter about two black legislators. Meanwhile, another Florida GOP lawmaker told a gathering of Republican activists that the key to defeating Corrine Brown, a black Jacksonville Democrat, was to boost the number of black prisoners in her north Florida congressional district. Guess which […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 16, 2015

State Rep. Matt Gaetz on Wednesday filed – then speedily withdrew – a bill that would reserve regulation of Uber and other hired-car services to the state. According to House of Representatives records, Gaetz submitted his bill (HB 175) at 8:53 a.m., then withdrew it at 10:30 a.m. Reached by phone, the Fort Walton Beach […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 14, 2015

State Rep. Matt Gaetz is leading the latest attempt to pass an “open carry” gun law in Florida. The Shalimar Republican filed HB 163 on Monday; in part, the bill would allow a person licensed to carry a concealed firearm or weapon to “also openly carry such firearm or weapon.” In a Facebook post in […]

Ryan RaySeptember 8, 2015

Bay County Commissioner George Gainer made his 2016 Tallahassee intentions formal on Tuesday. The Northwest Florida pol filed the necessary paperwork to seek the state Senate seat held by term-limited former Senate President Don Gaetz. The move sets up what could be a momentous Republican primary battle there, as third-term Rep. Matt Gaetz also seeks the […]

Ryan RaySeptember 8, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz unveiled a new ad Tuesday in his race to succeed his father Sen. Don Gaetz in the Florida Senate aimed at seizing the “true conservative” label in what may be a testy Republican primary. The new one-minute spot, entitled “Fighting Obamacare,” was unveiled in an email message to supporters Tuesday morning in response to […]

Phil AmmannAugust 27, 2015

Local entrepreneur Jay Woodbury is endorsing Republican candidate Wayne Harris in his bid for House District 4, citing a strong support of Second Amendment rights for his decision. An Okaloosa County Commissioner, Harris is running for the seat being vacated in 2016 by state Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is seeking to replace his father, state […]

Jim RosicaAugust 26, 2015

The Florida House of Representatives has released committee assignments for the 2016 Legislative Session, including a brand new “Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access” created Wednesday. “I am directing the Select Committee to explore policy options to reduce the cost of health care for consumers and improve the transparency of health care information, make recommendations for […]

Mitch PerryAugust 26, 2015

The 18-month feud between representatives of Uber and the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission has been reignited over the past few weeks, after the PTC lost a battle in Hillsborough Circuit Court that could have put the San Francisco based ride-sharing company out of business in the county. After the PTC said it would continue […]

Ryan RayAugust 18, 2015

Niceville businessman Jonathan Tallman announced on Monday he will seek the open seat in HD 4, currently held by Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is leaving to run for the state Senate. Tallman, 27, is a financial advisor and owner of the The Tallman Group. He sits on the Okaloosa Restore Act Advisory Committee and the board of […]

Phil AmmannAugust 12, 2015

Citing leadership skills and conservative credentials, former State Rep. Don Brown announced his endorsement of Wayne Harris for House District 4. Brown, a DeFuniak Springs property insurance expert, is well-known in Panhandle Republican politics. He has held a variety GOP leadership roles, including state representative and Walton County commissioner. Harris is the Okaloosa County commissioner running […]

Tag: Matt Gaetz
The port strike is over — Christmas is saved! Image via AP.

Y’all better give Janet Adkins as much sh*t as you did Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz files – then deletes – Uber preemption bill

Matt Gaetz files ‘open carry’ gun bill

George Gainer jumps in for 2016, setting up primary clash against Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz comes out swinging with new digital ad in Senate race

Panhandle businessman endorses Wayne Harris for HD 4, citing 2nd Amendment support

House committee assignments released; new healthcare panel added

Jeff Brandes optimistic about ridesharing bill passing in Florida in 2016

Niceville businessman Jonathan Tallman announces bid for HD 4

Former state Rep. Don Brown endorses Wayne Harris in House District 4 race