Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 29, 2016

Matt Hudson has secured enough signatures to get on the August primary ballot. Hudson announced Friday he has received enough verified signatures to qualify for the Senate District 28 election. Hudson, who served as the House Speaker pro tempore from 2014 through 2016, said his campaign was able to get petitions from all three counties […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 12, 2016

Kathleen Passidomo may have raised more campaign cash in March than her opponent, but the Naples Republican’s war chest is still significantly smaller than Senate District 28 hopeful Matt Hudson. State records show Passidomo raised $16,145 in March. Top donors during the one-month fundraising period included The Florida Justice Reform Committee and the Universal Insurance […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 11, 2016

Kathleen Passidomo and Matt Hudson used a casual candidate forum to try to garner support for their state Senate District 28 campaigns. The two are vying to replace Sen. Garrett Richter in the Florida Senate. On Monday, the Naples Republicans faced off in a low-key candidate forum during the Collier Republican Club meeting. There were […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 11, 2016

Byron Donalds’ campaign war chest grew by more than $3,000 last month, according to recently filed campaign finance reports. Donalds raised $3,100 in March. The Naples Republican has raised $93,118 since jumping in the House District 80 race in March 2015. RAI Services Co. was among Donalds’ top donors during the one-month fundraising period. The […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 11, 2016

The race to replace Kathleen Passidomo in the Florida House is heating up; with Bob Rommel outraising Lavigne Ann Kirkpatrick in March. State records show Rommel raised $8,540 last month; while Kirkpatrick raised $4,800. However, March marked the first full month of Kirkpatrick’s House campaign. Rommel, a Naples Republican who serves as president of the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 29, 2016

Southwest Floridians may soon see an advertisement touting Rep. Kathleen Passidomo’s successes in the Florida Legislature when they turn on their televisions. The Florida Chamber of Commerce released an advertisement this week highlighting the Naples Republican’s work in the House. “As a mother, business leader and volunteer Kathleen Passidomo is looking out for us. She’s […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 18, 2016

State Rep. Kathleen Passidomo can officially count Sen. Garrett Richter as one of her supporters. Passidomo announced Friday that Richter had endorsed her in the race to replace him in the redrawn state Senate District 28. Richter, a Naples Republican, can’t run for re-election because of term limits. “I’m proud to endorse Kathleen Passidomo in […]

Bob SparksFebruary 25, 2016

Sometimes during legislative sessions some unusual partnerships develop. Unlikely alliances can form to pass or defeat a measure that fits a common goal. Florida has provided a prime example of such teamwork. The philosophy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” syndrome has played out in the area of economic incentives. House Bill […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

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After a debate that included mentions of monsters, Robert A. Heinlein and the Tampa Bay Rays, the Florida House of Representatives Wednesday passed its 2016 business and economic incentives package, including the framework for Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. As bill sponsor Jim Boyd reminded members, it still has no funding: “This is a structure bill, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

House lawmakers spent nearly two hours Tuesday setting up the chamber’s 2016 business and economic incentives package, which will likely be debated and voted on by that chamber on Wednesday. A line of Democrats barraged sponsor Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican, with questions on the measure (HB 1325) before it was finally rolled over to a third […]

Matt Hudson receives enough signatures to qualify for SD 28 race

Kathleen Passidomo, Matt Hudson get a boost to their SD 28 campaign coffers

Kathleen Passidomo, Matt Hudson talk 2016 at Collier GOP forum

Byron Donalds raises more than $3K in bid for HD 80 seat

Bob Rommel, Lavigne Kirkpatrick boost their HD 106 campaign coffers in March

Florida Chamber releases new ad praising Kathleen Passidomo

Kathleen Passidomo grabs endorsement from Garrett Richter in state Senate race

Bob Sparks: Battle over economic incentives features unlikely alliances

House passes incentives measure desired by Rick Scott

House members grapple with incentives funding process