Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJuly 18, 2014

Say what you will about Republican-turned-Independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, but the man is certainly campaigning to the beat of his own drummer. Crist endorsed President Barack Obama’s re-election on his own timetable, just as he switched his party registration on a whim while attending a White House Christmas Party. Crist set no timetable for when he […]

Peter SchorschJuly 2, 2014

In a one-two punch from the Tampa Bay Times, columnists John Romano and Daniel Ruth both blame the lack of competitive legislative races this election cycle on the redistricting process. They believe gerrymandering has turned the system into an anti-Democratic incumbent protection plan. There’s no denying the lack of competitive (never mind interesting) legislative races […]

Peter SchorschJune 30, 2014

Charlie Crist’s difficult June was capped off by a highly critical column by Tim Nickens, the editor of the Tampa Bay Times editorial page. “As we head into July, the race appears essentially tied and Charlie Crist is not maximizing his greatest assets as the likeable guy who understands Floridians and their priorities,” writes Nickens. […]

Peter SchorschJune 23, 2014

Dozens of state legislators earned new terms in office as Florida’s qualifying period for the 2014 election ended Friday. With qualifying week over, here are 11 takeaways for this fall’s elections: 1. Eight state senators — or nearly one-quarter of the Florida Senate — were re-elected without opposition. Nearly one-third of the members in the Florida House also earned […]

Peter SchorschJune 18, 2014

By the time whoever is chosen to serve as Speaker of the Florida House in 2020-21, there will be a new occupant of the White House and a new governor of Florida. The Sunshine State’s population is expected to be over 21 million by the time of the next census. By 2020, there will be two […]

Peter SchorschJune 9, 2014

J. Stanley Marshall, former president of Florida State University (1969-76) and founder of the James Madison Institute, died Sunday at 91. “Ol’ Stan Marshall puts his pants on one leg at time,” the barber said as he trimmed the back of my head, which may have been trembling too much for him to cut in […]

Peter SchorschJune 5, 2014

Legally speaking, the charge facing former state Rep. Chris Dorworth is no more serious than attaching an invalid license plate to a vehicle. A second-degree misdemeanor for violating Florida’s Sunshine laws is just as wrong, in the court’s eyes, as disorderly intoxication or loitering, or driving with a suspended license. Aiding and abetting an elected official in […]

Peter SchorschJune 2, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott deserves some credit for being one of the loudest critics of the Obama administration’s handling of the scandal at the Veterans Administration. Last week, Scott announced that Florida is suing the VA to grant state health inspectors access to VA hospitals. For more than a month, the Obama administration denied state health inspectors […]

Peter SchorschMay 29, 2014

At this point, there’s probably no denying that Republican incumbent Rick Scott has taken a narrow lead over his likely Democratic challenger, Charlie Crist. According to the most recent poll by SurveyUSA for Tampa Bay’s News Channel 8, Scott leads Crist with 42 percent of voter support, compared to 40 percent for Crist. Nine percent of […]

Peter SchorschMay 26, 2014

“What else could a turkey buy?” If you are talking about a whole one for Thanksgiving, you could get 35 cans of cranberry sauce instead, or maybe even four pies. But if you’re talking Florida’s state budget and the annual Florida TaxWatch Turkey Watch list, them turkeys can buy a lot more. In the just-released […]

Tag: Peter Schorsch
Image via AP.

Peter Schorsch: Charlie Crist’s LG pick an oddly timed decision influenced by reality of identity politics

Peter Schorsch: Don’t blame gerrymandering for lack of competitive races

Peter Schorsch: It’s been frustrating watching Crist’s big lead evaporate

Peter Schorsch: Qualifying for 2014 elections is over and here’s what you should know

Peter Schorsch: Here’s everything you didn’t know about the 2020-21 Speaker race

Peter Schorsch: On the death of J. Stanley Marshall: Florida has lost a giant

Peter Schorsch: Dorworth guilty of not taking advantage of chances given him

Peter Schorsch: Scott outraged by VA scandal, but unfazed by DCF cover-up

Peter Schorsch: Views on state of the state behind Scott’s narrow lead?

Peter Schorsch: Watchdog groups identifies $120 million in legislative turkeys