Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJuly 31, 2018

The national gun-control political action committee founded by former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly, Giffords PAC, is endorsing Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto in his re-election bid in Florida’s 9th Congressional District. The endorsement, announced Tuesday by Soto’s campaign, comes to Soto who’s been under attack for his career political record […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 30, 2018

The National Rifle Association has an interest in the four-way race for Duval County Tax Collector, with the gun lobby backing former state Rep. Lake Ray. A familiar orange mailer from the group trumpets Ray’s A+ rating on gun issues, giving the Jacksonville Republican another boost ahead of the August primary. Ray has maintained a cash […]

Drew WilsonJuly 28, 2018

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has already earned the backing of “the big man himself” in his quest for a second term in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, and this week he picked up another major backer. The National Rifle Association said Friday they were on board for the Shalimar Republican’s re-election bid, which should come as […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 26, 2018

Former State Rep. Fred Costello, in what a poll says is a tight three-way GOP race in Florida’s Congressional District 6, had at one point in this campaign claimed an endorsement from the National Rifle Association. However, the endorsement has officially been rescinded. “The previous endorsement for Fred Costello has been rescinded and his rating has […]

Joe HendersonJuly 26, 2018

For decades, Republican candidates have been successful in Florida by rarely deviating from a script that labels Democrats as big-spenders, soft on crime, anti-business and anti-gun. When confronted by these aggressive tactics, Dems generally answered with flustered babble that, roughly translated, was basically “that’s not nice.” This campaign has been different though. Instead of trying […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Greene is sending out mailers as the August primary comes into focus, with one in particular appalling its intended target. The front of the mailer quotes Greene saying: “As a father, I won’t stand by while the NRA turns our kids into targets.” The graphic reinforces the text: Under the quote, graphics of […]

Scott PowersJuly 25, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum is challenging thinking about what’s impossible in his first television commercial, being launched today with a modest buy that will ramp up next week. Gillum’s 30-second spot, “What’s impossible?”, seeks to define him as someone who already has a record of succeeding against long odds, as the son of the […]

Drew WilsonJuly 24, 2018

Tampa City Councilman Harry Cohen, also a candidate for Tampa Mayor, on Monday called for the immediate repeal of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. Cohen’s statement follows last week’s fatal shooting of Markeis McGlockton in Clearwater. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri announced Friday that an arrest would not be made because the shooting fell within the bounds […]

Drew WilsonJuly 20, 2018

Dover Republican Rep. Ross Spano is hosting a different kind of campaign event this weekend. The candidate for Florida’s 15th Congressional District is teaming up with the Plant City Republican Women Federated to host a free concealed carry weapons permit training class State law requires CCW applicants to “submit proof of competency with a firearm.” […]

Scott PowersJuly 19, 2018

The national gun control political action committee Moms Demand Action has given Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto its “Gun Sense Candidate” Distinction, demonstrating how far he has come since he once was endorsed by the National Rifle Association. The group, formed as part of Everytown for Gun Safety after the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary […]

Tag: NRA
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

Giffords PAC endorses Darren Soto in CD 9 race

NRA backing, cash lead buoy Lake Ray’s Duval County tax collector bid

Matt Gaetz lands high caliber endorsement for CD 1 re-election bid

It’s official: NRA yanks Fred Costello endorsement in CD 6

Joe Henderson: State Democrats try a new tactic: fighting back

‘Blood on her hands’: Jeff Greene slams NRA lobbyist as mailer flap continues

Andrew Gillum challenges ‘What’s impossible?’ in first TV ad

Tampa Councilman Harry Cohen calls for Stand Your Ground repeal

Ross Spano’s CD 15 campaign footing the bill for concealed weapons course

‘Moms’ gun control group likes Darren Soto in CD 9