Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Scott PowersSeptember 20, 2017

Republicans are boasting they have taken voter-registration edges over Polk and Volusia County Democrats, continuing a trend of trimming a once sizable advantage for Democrats statewide. With Polk and Volusia counting slightly more Republicans than Democrats in registration data recorded through August 31, the Republican Party of Florida says it’s flipped 12 counties to a […]

Scott PowersSeptember 19, 2017

The massive power outage Hurricane Irma left behind last week with more than 6.5 million homes and businesses is down to a handful of pockets outside the still heavily-darkened Monroe, Collier and Lee counties that were hardest hit by the storm. The latest data provided by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, showing power through […]

Scott PowersSeptember 13, 2017

Five Central Florida members of Congress – three Democrats and two Republicans – joined a call Wednesday for Central Florida counties to be designated so that individuals can become eligible for Federal Disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma. U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Val Demings of Orlando, Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Dennis […]

Bill RuftySeptember 7, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam returned to his home of Polk County on Thursday, checking on preparations for food, shelter and transportation from the county’s Emergency Operations Center. He also issued warnings to state residents to take action immediately: “Irma is a beast. There is no scenario in which Southeast Florida will escape it. And a slight […]

Tag: polk county
Image via Palatka Main Street.

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

Republicans flip registration in Polk, Volusia, continue statewide gains

Power restored except South, Southwest, Central Florida pockets

Central Florida congressional members seek disaster call for Central Florida

Adam Putnam checks on Polk storm prep