Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayNovember 11, 2015

Republican Rep. Ray Pilon narrowly topped his Democratic challenger Edward James in October fundraising, amid what has become a hotly contested race for a moderate-leaning swing seat in Sarasota ahead of 2016 statehouse elections. Pilon, elected to the House in 2010 when he ousted then-incumbent Keith Fitzgerald, raised $8,000 during last month’s fundraising reporting period in HD 72. The former […]

Drew WilsonNovember 9, 2015

House District 73 Republican Rep. Greg Steube has jumped out to a sizable fundraising lead in the race to take over for Venice Republican Sen. Nancy Detert in Senate District 28. Contributions to the Steube campaign came in at about $46,000 last month, putting the candidate at $171,778 cash on-hand through the end of October. […]

Jim RosicaNovember 5, 2015

The Florida Legislature became the little engine that couldn’t on Thursday, failing to agree on a new map redrawing the state Senate districts after three weeks of trying in a Special Session. This makes three out of four legislative sessions this year that ended in discord, this time in a redistricting session that itself likely […]

Drew WilsonOctober 31, 2015

Early committee finance numbers for Republican Sens. Jack Latvala and Joe Negron show the two rivals for Senate President are as close as ever in fundraising. Latvala’s outfit, Florida Leadership Committee, entered October with a little more than $1.6 million on-hand, and the committee should get a little boost above that mark once final reports […]

Jim RosicaOctober 28, 2015

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed its redrawn district map by a close vote of 22-18, with all 14 Democrats and four Republicans opposed. It’s now up to the House of Representatives to OK the map as is or change it and send it back as the Special Session clock ticks to an end. “We now have […]

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday called on lawmakers to overhaul the state’s business incentive programs, saying businesses and jobs won’t come to Florida unless they act. Scott’s announcement came after Bill Johnson, his economic development czar, took multiple shellackings from lawmakers on funding requests. State senators in particular have taken Johnson to task for asking for more money than they […]

Ryan RayOctober 22, 2015

I am … 25 years young. I live in … Sarasota/Tallahassee. I got into politics because … My family exposed me to the power of community organizing as a child. My great-grandmother along with a group of other concerned citizens helped desegregate the public beaches in Sarasota in the 1950s by organizing caravans of people who went […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

Bill Johnson, head of the state’s economic development agency, continued to take hits from state senators Tuesday as he pressed for still more money for business incentive programs. Johnson, CEO of Enterprise Florida, appeared before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development. Gov. Rick Scott’s point man on enticing new business to […]

Drew WilsonOctober 20, 2015

A bill that would create a program recognizing businesses that hire or support disabled workers cleared its first Senate committee stop Tuesday by a unanimous vote. SB 388 directs the Department of Economic Opportunity to work with CareerSource Florida to develop the Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee, chaired by the bill’s sponsor, […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2015

Campaign donations are filling campaign accounts in Southwest Florida, with Republican Reps. Jim Boyd, Ray Pilon and Greg Steube each posting their best fundraising reports since the start of the 2015 session. Boyd, running unopposed in House District 71, added $39,000 in contributions this past month, raising his on-hand cash to $56,246 for his fourth […]

Tag: Nancy Detert

Ray Pilon raises $8k in October; challenger Edward James takes in $7k

October gives Greg Steube sizable fundraising lead in SD 28 race

Senate votes down redistricting map, ending Special Session

Fundraising reports show Senate rivals Jack Latvala, Joe Negron close as ever

Senate passes new district map, sends to House

Rick Scott calls for overhaul of state’s business incentives

Meet Edward James, one of “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

Bill Johnson keeps up fight for incentives funding

Bill to recognize businesses who support disabled workers clears first hurdle

Money flows in Southwest Florida House races