Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Orlando Republican John Newstreet, chief executive officer of the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce and a former aide to U.S. Sens. Mel Martinez and Marco Rubio, announced he’s entering the House District 44 race going to a special election this summer. “I’m honored by the number of people in the community, and across the state, […]

Scott PowersApril 28, 2017

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday afternoon to have Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke reevaluate oil and gas drilling prospects along a number of areas of America’s outer continental shelf including the South Atlantic Ocean. Those include areas along the Florida coast and southeast U.S. coast where oil and gas drilling are […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 11, 2017

Sen. Bill Nelson vowed to fight off threats to drill in the waters off Florida’s west coast, telling Southwest Florida officials he’ll do whatever he can to protect the coastal communities. “Increasingly we have threats to drill in the Gulf of Mexico off the west coast of Florida, and it’s getting to the point that […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 6, 2016

Mel Martinez is throwing his support behind Francis Rooney. In a statement Wednesday, the former United States senator said the Naples Republican had the skills needed to represent Southwest Florida in Congress. Rooney is vying to replace Rep. Curt Clawson in Florida’s 19th Congressional District. “Francis will bring his private sector skills and provide strong leadership […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 29, 2016

A second former U.S. senator from Florida endorsed Marco Rubio for president Monday, as Mel Martinez’s support of Rubio was made official. “”Marco is ready to lead this country as our president,” Martinez said in a prepared statement, “and I will do everything I can to make that happen.” “Just like Marco’s family this country changed my life […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2016

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio always had an uphill battle to win Florida’s Republican Hispanic support away from Jeb Bush in the 2016 presidential race, and now that Bush is gone there appears to be no automatic switch. Bush, who dropped out after a disappointing showing in South Carolina Saturday, had developed powerful loyalty among a […]

Mitch PerryOctober 29, 2015

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s editorial on Wednesday that called on Marco Rubio to resign “and not rip us off” ignited a number of others to follow suit. It came as Rubio has continued to miss votes in the upper chamber of Congress while on the campaign trail and unapologetic about it. Instead, he’s indicated he […]

Mitch PerryOctober 15, 2015

Among the assets that still make Jeb Bush a formidable general election candidate is his ease and connection with the Latino community, something that no other Republican brings to the table. Illustrating that connection is the Bush campaign’s announcement on Thursday of his Hispanic leadership committee, consisting of 228 people spread out over 20 states, as […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 22, 2015

Kirk Fordham is joining The Petrizzo Group, a PR and lobbying concern in Washington, as senior vice president, according to a news release. He was the long-time chief of staff to former GOP Congressman Mark Foley and served as finance director to Republican Mel Martinez’s successful U.S. Senate campaign. Fordham, who departs Gill Action in Colorado, “will work […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 12, 2015

Laura Bush, one of the most popular members of the Bush family, will be hitting the fundraising trail for her brother-in-law next month. The former First Lady hosts a luncheon reception for the Jeb Bush campaign on Thursday, October 8. Bush’s event, which begins 12:30 p.m., is at the home of former Florida U.S. Senator Mel […]

Tag: Mel Martinez

Kissimmee chamber chief John Newstreet enters HD 44 race

Donald Trump order reassesses drilling off South Atlantic coast

Bill Nelson talks offshore oil drilling ban during Southwest Florida stop

Mel Martinez endorses Francis Rooney in CD 19

Mel Martinez endorses Marco Rubio for president

Marco Rubio not yet locking in Jeb Bush’s Florida Hispanic backers

History shows Marco Rubio resignation would be rare event

Jeb Bush announces 228-member Hispanic Leadership Committee

Kirk Fordham heading to Petrizzo Group

Laura Bush makes rare fundraising appearance in Orlando on Oct. 8 to support brother-in-law