Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJune 30, 2016

It’s almost Independence Day, which in Florida means: Time to scare some birds. Although you can buy fireworks in the state, they’re not actually legal here. Indeed, The Tampa Tribune in 2014 called fireworks sales in Florida an “institutionalized charade,” leading one lawmaker to call for “more freedom (and) less fraud.” Retail sales are allowed only […]

Ryan RayJune 28, 2016

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Rep. Matt Gaetz will hit the television airwaves in Northwest Florida for the first time in his run for the 1st Congressional District this week. Gaetz’s campaign announced a new 30-second spot filled with red meat for conservatives as he takes on Sen. Greg Evers in a Republican primary that will almost certainly decide who replaces retiring U.S. Rep. Jeff […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 24, 2016

In an election year dominated by outsiders and political chaos, it’s not surprising every congressional district has at least two people vying for the seat. Candidates had until noon Friday to submit their paperwork to run for congressional seats. State records show all of the state’s 27 congressional races in Florida this congressional cycle are […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 24, 2016

George Gainer is on his way to the Florida Senate. The Bay County Republican won the Senate District 2 seat Friday after no other candidate qualified for the race. “I am humbled and honored to have been elected without drawing another candidate to run against me,” Gainer said in a statement. “From the first day I […]

Peter SchorschMay 25, 2016

Associated Industries of Florida’s, the state’s premier lobbying group, has announced the latest awardees of its “Champions for Business.” The group gives the awards every year to state lawmakers “whose extraordinary efforts provide model leadership on key legislation for the success of Florida’s business community,” according to a news release. On this year’s list are: Sen. Jack […]

Peter SchorschMay 21, 2016

As far as Super PACs go, the one that is backing two Republicans in a pair of Panhandle congressional race has a nice enough name. It’s called “North Florida Neighbors.” How genteel. How stately. How very north Florida. North Florida Neighbors announced Friday that it is supporting conservative state Rep. Matt Gaetz in his bid for Florida’s 1st Congressional District, along with the […]

Peter SchorschMay 20, 2016

State Sen. Greg Evers is making a lot of noise over the Obama administration’s directive to public schools instructing them to allow transgender students to use the bathroom matching their gender identity. But where was the Baker Republican – who is now a candidate for Florida’s 1st Congressional District – when he had a chance to […]

Ryan RayMay 18, 2016

Rep. Matt Gaetz says his campaign has rustled up enough petitions to qualify for the 1st Congressional District ballot, well ahead of a late June deadline. Gaetz put out a statement to mark the occasion. “I want to thank the enthusiastic army of volunteers who helped us collect petition signatures across Northwest Florida. We are running a […]

Guest AuthorMay 16, 2016

Religious liberty is a foundational right in the United States of America. Its pursuit brought the pilgrims to the New World in 1620. Our Founding Fathers enshrined the right to religious freedom in the Constitution. And yet today, we find religious freedom under assault. From political correctness dissuading businesses from saying “merry Christmas” to Obamacare […]

Ryan RayMay 16, 2016

Rep. Matt Gaetz is known for his combative debate style on the floor of the Florida House. Now, he says he’d like to take it to the congressional campaign trail. The Fort Walton Beach Republican and 1st Congressional District candidate challenged Democratic opponent Amanda Kondrat’yev to a debate over the Bayview Park Cross, a religious symbol which has sat on […]

Tag: Matt Gaetz

Florida’s bizarre fireworks law still in place

Matt Gaetz vows to “fight back” against Washington in new TV spot

Changing political landscape means contested races in each of Florida’s congressional districts

George Gainer becomes instant winner in SD 2

AIF announces “Champions for Business”

Super PAC emerges to support Matt Gaetz and Neal Dunn in Panhandle congressional races

Greg Evers complains about Obama transgender directive, but didn’t fix issue when he had the chance

Matt Gaetz qualifies by petition in CD 1

Matt Gaetz: Protect Bayview’s Cross

Matt Gaetz challenges Democratic congressional opponent to debate over cross on public land