Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayJuly 10, 2015

Rep. Ray Pilon raised just $1,985 this past month while his opponent in Sarasota’s HD 72, Democrat Edward James, brought in more than $30,000 between his campaign account and an affiliated PAC. That blowout margin bears an asterisk — Pilon was prohibited from taking contributions for most of June because of the Special Session — but it […]

Ryan RayJuly 9, 2015

Democrat Edward James III won’t hold yet his first official fundraiser until next week, but that hasn’t stopped him from raising about a thousand dollars a day since he entered the race last month. James has raised a total of $30,175 according to just-released campaign finance reports, an unusually high figure for a Democratic newcomer. A majority […]

Phil AmmannJune 29, 2015

Sarasota GOP Chair Joe Gruters announced a solid Sarasota-area political roster on Monday to his campaign team in the House District 73 race. Although primaries are still more than a year away, Gruters – a prolific fundraiser himself – said strategic planning and fundraising has been in the works for the past month. “I’ve put […]

Phil AmmannJune 26, 2015

State Rep. Ray Pilon, claiming “unfinished business,” will not run for the state Senate, instead choosing to seek a final term in the Florida House for 2016. The Sarasota Republican faces Democrat Edward James III in the House District 72 race, making it possibly one of the most competitive races in the state. Pilon told […]

Drew WilsonJune 21, 2015

As of June, none of the 12 Florida Senators running for reelection is facing much of a challenge — Democratic Sen. Jeff Clemens is the only incumbent to draw an opponent so far, but it won’t derail him from another term. District 29 looks set as well, with Democratic Rep. Jim Waldman having a clear path to take over for outgoing Sen. Jeremy […]

Mitch PerryJune 18, 2015

A sizable percentage of the 100,000 or so entertainment industry professionals in Florida feel let down this week. The Legislature once again refused to include money in the state’s $80 billion budget for tax incentives to lure Hollywood to film in the Sunshine State. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed,” said Gus […]

Drew WilsonJune 18, 2015

The crash landing that ended the 2015 Regular Legislative Session in the Republican-led Florida House would be a gift to Democrats in any other state, but few seats are in any real danger of flipping come Election Day 2016. With 25 term-limited seats, District 114 is one of the few with a real chance to flip though Democrats […]

Ryan RayJune 17, 2015

After several weeks of deliberation, Edward James III has made it official — the Sarasota-born Democrat told FloridaPolitics.com he filed 2016 campaign paperwork on Tuesday to run in House District 72. James said he was spurred to run by what he called the “cold-heartedness” of the GOP-led House, which abruptly adjourned and left town early last month in […]

Ryan RayMay 12, 2015

Republican Rep. Paul Renner may have just joined the Florida House, but he’s already getting a taste of the “permanent campaign” that characterizes the chamber. After officially taking office in an April 7 swearing-in ceremony with Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, another electoral beneficiary of the long tail of Sen. John Thrasher‘s exit from the Legislature to head […]

Mitch PerryMay 11, 2015

After being passed over for funding during the past couple of legislative sessions, members of the film, television and digital media community in Florida crossed their fingers long before the 2015 session started. They hoped this would be the year the state’s film tax incentive program would be replenished. It used up all of its funding a […]

Ray Pilon, out-raised in June, unfazed by Democratic challenge

First-time candidate Edward James tops $30k in HD 72 fundraising

Joe Gruters names campaign leadership team

Ray Pilon skips Senate run, opts for final term in HD 72

Keep your eyes on these 8 state Senate campaigns

Film incentive tax bill again dies on cutting room floor in Tallahassee

Florida House races continue to take shape in central, south Florida

Democrat Edward James files for 2016 House run in Sarasota’s HD 72

Paul Renner gears up ahead of 2016 re-election bid

Film Florida wants incentives bill included in Special Session