Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Guest AuthorApril 27, 2014

I’m privileged to live in the congressional district served by Mr. Anti-Poverty himself, U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland. The second-term congressman and former funeral home director, you should know by now, has made fighting poverty his No. 1 priority. In doing so, Southerland has embarked on a crusade to overhaul (some would say gut) the food […]

Tag: Panhandle
Donald Trump. Image via AP.

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

Andrew Skerritt: Southerland’s stance on Obamacare inconsistent with his poverty campaign