Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersFebruary 3, 2017

The social fallout from Puerto Rico’s multi-fasceted financial crisis must be dealt with in more immediate ways in Central Florida where so much of the diaspora is fleeing, a panel of scholars urged key Puerto Rican political leaders in Orlando Friday. Their call for concern for recognizing, assisting, and empowering Puerto Ricans settling by the […]

Scott PowersJanuary 24, 2017

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, whose district oversees one of the largest and fastest growing Puerto Rican diasporas in the states, has been appointed a seat on a Congressional subcommittee that oversees Puerto Rican affairs. Soto, an Orlando Democrat who is of Puerto Rican descent himself – a first for Florida’s congressional representatives – announced Tuesday […]

Scott PowersJanuary 17, 2017

Longtime Puerto Rican prisoner Oscar López Rivera — known as a political prisoner to his supporters and as a convicted member of a murderous terrorist organization to his foes — is being freed under a clemency granted by President Barack Obama, according to one key lawmaker U.S. Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, an Illinois Democrat who has campaigned […]

Scott PowersDecember 20, 2016

A bipartisan Congressional task force heavily influenced by Florida’s U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio released its final report Tuesday on dealing with Puerto Rico’s economic collapse offering scores of recommendations for helping the U.S. territory, its economy and it’s people. Authorized last summer by the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, […]

Scott PowersNovember 22, 2016

Meeting with a bipartisan roundtable of Puerto Rican leaders in Kissimmee Tuesday, Florida’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson expressed both hope that current Puerto Rico “rescue” plans being developed will help, and concern that not all the details they want can be delivered. Nelson, Congressman-elect Darren Soto and Osceola County Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer met […]

Scott PowersNovember 18, 2016

Of the three new members of Congress elected from Orlando this month, Democrat Darren Soto is the one who’s no mystery to constituents, and still committed to the same agenda he’s pursued for nearly 10 years in the Florida Legislature: a stronger, fairer economy. Soto, 38, an Orlando lawyer, defeated Republican businessman Wayne Liebnitzky for the open […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

State Sen. Darren Soto’s dream of becoming the first Puerto Rican member of Congress from Florida became reality Tuesday when he swept aside an underfunded Republican opponent in what is now clearly Florida’s first Puerto Rican-dominated congressional district. Early returns based on early voting and mail-in voting, gave Soto an insurmountable lead over Republican nominee […]

Scott PowersNovember 4, 2016

Staking his stand for Hispanic support in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica Friday released a long list of Hispanic leaders who have endorsed him, including several former leaders of Puerto Rico and several Cuban-American members of Congress. The list also includes Hispanic veterans, community activists, and business leaders, in addition to current and […]

Scott PowersNovember 3, 2016

U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, a New York Democrat with a high profile in her native Puerto Rico, has joined Stephanie Murphy for the closing days of her campaign to help her mobilize votes in Florida’s 7th Congressional District’s sizable Puerto Rican communities. Murphy, a Democrat from Winter Park, is trying to unseat Republican incumbent U.S. […]

Scott PowersNovember 1, 2016

Despite a significant and growing population of Puerto Rican migrants, Florida’s 7th Congressional District campaigns have largely lacked the Puerto Rican flavor of those in neighboring districts — until now, with Democrat Stephanie Murphy announcing an endorsement Tuesday from Kenneth McClintock. He is a former lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and senate president of Puerto […]

Tag: Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico crisis panel brings it home to Florida

Darren Soto appointed to subcommittee overseeing Puerto Rico

Luis Gutiérrez: Puerto Rican prisoner Oscar López Rivera to be freed

Congressional Puerto Rico task force releases final recommendations

PROMESA task force seeking to rescue Puerto Rico, but pain will come too, Bill Nelson says

For Darren Soto, it’s still all about a stronger, fairer economy

Darren Soto wins CD 9, gives Florida its first Puerto Rican congressman

John Mica rolls out list of Hispanic endorsements in CD 7

Nydia Velazquez helping Stephanie Murphy with Puerto Rican vote in CD 7

Stephanie Murphy gets former Puerto Rico official Kenneth McClintock’s backing