Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 13, 2018

Seminole, Osceola and Orange counties led the state in increasing presence for Democratic voters over the past two years, while Republicans were consolidating voters in most of the state’s rural and many medium-sized counties. According to the latest voter registration data released by the Florida Division of Elections, Democrats made their biggest gains in those three […]

Scott PowersJuly 2, 2018

If there is any doubt that progressive Democrats are ready to campaign against Trump, Alan Grayson already is doing so — as a primary campaign issue. The former Democratic congressman seeking to win his seat back in Florida’s 9th Congressional District is putting up billboard’s declaring, in huge writing, “DUMP TRUMP,” as a campaign slogan. […]

Michael MolineMay 17, 2018

A state task force on Thursday approved grants worth nearly $1.33 million for projects designed to support military installations and preserve Florida’s reputation as the most military-friendly state. They included land and easement buys neighboring the Avon Park Air Force Range and Camp Blanding; development of a Bay County innovation center to advance amphibious warfare; […]

Bill RuftyApril 30, 2018

While the hapless state Democratic Party has done almost nothing for the underdog campaign of Ricky Shira of Lakeland in preparation for Tuesday’s special election to fill a vacancy in Florida House District 39, local grassroots organizations did. At the last minute, Shira received $280 in in-kind services from the state. But the county party, […]

Bill RuftyApril 17, 2018

Former State Rep. Neil Combee, a Polk City Republican, announced Tuesday that he will seek Florida’s 15th Congressional District seat left open by U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross. Ross, a Republican from Lakeland, announced last week he will not seek re-election to the post he has held since January 2011. Combee, 58, made his announcement at […]

Scott PowersMarch 12, 2018

Former Circuit Court Judge Robert Doyel upped his commitment and his state Senate campaign fund in February, in his Democratic bid to unseat Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel in Senate District 22. Doyel, of Winter Haven, a retired judge from Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit, reported donating $5,000 to his campaign, helping it bring in $17,677 in […]

Scott PowersJanuary 22, 2018

Republican Wayne Liebnitzky qualified by petition for this year’s ballot in Florida’s 9th Congressional District Monday. Liebnitzky of St. Cloud is seeking a rematch with Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Darren Soto of Orlando. Soto beat him 57-43 in 2016. On Monday the Florida Secretary of State’s Office posted that it had received 120 valid petition signatures […]

Scott PowersJanuary 16, 2018

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has sent out letters to county, city and housing authority officials throughout Central Florida seeking information on affordable housing shortages. The letter, from DEO Director of Community Development Julie Dennis, is exploring available resources and unmet needs that are being tested as a result of both the damages caused […]

Scott PowersNovember 28, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for 2018 to fill the seat vacated by former state Rep. Neil Combee in House District 39, serving parts of Polk and Osceola counties. Scott set a primary election for Feb. 20, 2018, and a general election for May 1. That would keep the seat open until […]

Jim RosicaNovember 4, 2017

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has appointed state Rep. Neil Combee as Florida State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), the department announced in a news release Friday night. Combee could not be reached late Friday. (Update: He later told the News Chief he will resign his House District […]

Tag: polk county

Democrats make big gains in Central Florida; Republicans sweeping rural county voters

Alan Grayson puts up ‘Dump Trump’ billboard for CD 9 race

Task force OKs $1.3 million in grants to advance military

Polk grassroots Democrats pick up the slack in HD 39

Neil Combee makes it official; announces run for Dennis Ross’ seat

Robert Doyel’s self-donation pushes February contributions to $17K in SD 22 race

Wayne Liebnitzky qualifies by petition for CD 9 race

Economic Opportunity surveying Central Florida housing needs

Rick Scott sets spring special election to replace Neil Combee in House

Personnel note: Neil Combee tapped for USDA job