Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJune 20, 2016

This crazy election cycle has already seen a few lawmakers and candidates playing musical chairs with their districts, swooping in to run from a favorable neighborhood or playing fast and loose with their exact address. But House District 5 candidate Bev Kilmer is taking it to a whole new level. Kilmer wants to carpetbag her way into […]

Peter SchorschApril 10, 2016

Is State Sen. Greg Evers becoming the Hamlet of the Florida Panhandle? Reports first floated last year that the Okaloosa County Republican was toying with the idea of running for Santa Rosa County sheriff, to replace the retiring incumbent there. He was later mentioned as eyeing the job of Okaloosa County’s property appraiser. And Pensacola political blogger Rick Outzen added a 2018 run for Commissioner of Agriculture to […]

Phil AmmannApril 1, 2016

Every day in Florida, volunteers serve at schools, senior centers, state parks, and non-profits. They mentor and tutor vulnerable students, restore Florida’s precious natural resources, provide meals to homebound individuals, and work with those with unique abilities. They make our communities safer, stronger and healthier. Volunteer Florida is proud to recognize April as Florida Volunteer […]

Ryan RayFebruary 25, 2016

George Gainer blasted the Legislature and his Senate District 1 opponent Rep. Matt Gaetz in an email appeal to supporters on Thursday, contending a pair of measures considered this year amount to a “power grab” by state government. Gainer, a Republican and longtime Bay County Commissioner, said bills on so-called “fracking” and local taxes aim at “stripping authority […]

Associated PressFebruary 17, 2016

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Florida may soon change how it handles the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools. A House panel on Wednesday approved a bill that would change how families are notified of their right to skip the daily pledge. The measure is now headed to the full House. Students are required to recite the pledge unless a […]

Ryan RaySeptember 8, 2015

Bay County Commissioner George Gainer made his 2016 Tallahassee intentions formal on Tuesday. The Northwest Florida pol filed the necessary paperwork to seek the state Senate seat held by term-limited former Senate President Don Gaetz. The move sets up what could be a momentous Republican primary battle there, as third-term Rep. Matt Gaetz also seeks the […]

Ryan RaySeptember 8, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz unveiled a new ad Tuesday in his race to succeed his father Sen. Don Gaetz in the Florida Senate aimed at seizing the “true conservative” label in what may be a testy Republican primary. The new one-minute spot, entitled “Fighting Obamacare,” was unveiled in an email message to supporters Tuesday morning in response to […]

Matthew IsbellJune 29, 2015

Florida’s western Panhandle has not been exactly known as a hotbed of electoral campaigns during recent election cycles. The region stretching from Pensacola to Panama City is steadfastly Republican in registration and in electoral dominance. GOP primaries decide most fights in the region, and incumbency has ensured few contentious primaries outside of local offices. The region is […]

Ryan RayApril 19, 2015

On the campaign trail, former U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland would always take great pains to remind anyone who would listen — especially anyone with a camera — that he was from the “real America.” He’d tell you he was not a snobby sophisticate with insider ties to Capitol Hill power players like his 2014 opponent Gwen Graham. By Southerland’s […]

Bob SparksAugust 28, 2014

A few weeks ago this space looked at 10 Florida counties that will ultimately decide this fall’s election for governor and Cabinet. Former Gov. Charlie Crist is widely expected to dominate the vote totals from these counties, with the only question being by how much. The theory, supported by history, is the candidate that can […]

Tag: Panhandle
Image via AP.

The plot thickens in Bev Kilmer’s residency saga

Peter Schorsch: The Top Five stories from Tallahassee – and more

Chester W. Spellman: April is ‘Florida Volunteer Month’

Email Insights: George Gainer decries “Tallahassee power grab” in 2016 Session

Florida may change Pledge of Allegiance school law

George Gainer jumps in for 2016, setting up primary clash against Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz comes out swinging with new digital ad in Senate race

Family matters: excitement builds for western Panhandle primary

Self-styled D.C. “outsider” Steve Southerland turns up as Washington lobbyist

Bob Sparks: After primaries, dynamics of governor’s race remain unchanged