Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossJune 17, 2016

Expressions of sympathy and support from Jacksonville’s political leadership in the aftermath of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting massacre are falling flat with North Florida’s LGBT community. “It was a bias-motivated attack against a gay bar to kill LGBT people,” said Jacksonville attorney and activist Jimmy Midyette. “When leaders neuter expressions of sympathy of that fact […]

Mitch PerryJune 17, 2016

Here’s something you don’t hear very often — if you intend to attend tonight’s Tampa Bay Rays versus San Francisco Giants game at Tropicana Field, you better already have a ticket. The team announced earlier this week they would make all open seats for the game available for their annual Pride Night for just $5, with […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 16, 2016

FloridaPolitics.com caught up with Republican Senate candidate Todd Wilcox in Jacksonville Thursday, where he gave his thoughts on the possible re-entry of Marco Rubio into the race, and the mass shooting in Orlando Sunday. The big narrative of the week in the Florida Senate race involves Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Marco Rubio having a conversation in the wake of the Pulse […]

Melissa RossJune 15, 2016

The mass shooting in Orlando isn’t changing Tommy Hazouri‘s timetable for reintroducing an updated human rights ordinance in Jacksonville. “It’s been our plan all along to do it after the mayor’s sales tax referendum,” Hazouri told WJCT. That said, the former mayor and at-large city councilman says the shootings of 49 people at the Pulse nightclub […]

Guest AuthorJune 15, 2016

Seeing the coverage on TV versus being on the ground in Orlando is candidly a surreal experience. I still remain somewhat shocked when I see images from across the globe showing support for Orlando — the vigils, the monuments lit in rainbow colors, or when I read condolences or tweets from celebrities, prominent figures, citizens, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 15, 2016

Bill Nelson has filed legislation that would require the FBI to be notified if a person under investigation for terrorism ties tries to buy a gun. The proposal, according to the Orlando Democrat’s office, would ensure anyone who is — or has been — investigated for possible ties to terrorism is entered into the National Instant Criminal […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 14, 2016

Todd Wilcox released his first campaign advertisement Tuesday. The 30-second web spot — called “Eliminating ISIS” — coincides with a statewide tour focused on national security. “Terrorists have brought this fight to American soil and it’s time we get serious about eliminating ISIS once and for all,” he said in a statement. “ISIS can be defeated, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 14, 2016

On Tuesday afternoon, State Sen. Aaron Bean addressed the Northside Business Leaders group at their customary meeting place — a conference room at the Jacksonville Zoo — offering insights on the Pulse massacre, the pension tax referendum, and the just-concluded legislative session. He also found time to talk to FloridaPolitics.com. Here are highlights from both: — Regarding […]

Larry GriffinJune 14, 2016

The LGBT Center of Central Florida, in the wake of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, was awash Monday morning in a flood of those wishing to help. People milled in and out bringing food and drink donations, offering to counsel and hug those who needed the touch of another. One man who called himself Chris C. said he […]

Mitch PerryJune 14, 2016

When it comes to foreign lands, Americans can sometimes be strangely provincial. Polls traditionally show Americans think we give too much foreign aid. The Kaiser Family Foundation found last year that the average respondent estimated 26 percent went toward assisting other countries, when in fact it’s just less than 1 percent. So when Donald Trump says in […]

Tag: Pulse
Leon County landed the STAC award. Photo by Khanh Huynh – The 1990s Studio.

City of Jax ‘Dear Orlando’ postcard campaign criticized as tone-deaf

Mitch Perry Report for 6.17.16 – ‘Weiner’ comes to Tampa

Todd Wilcox talks Senate race, Pulse tragedy

Tommy Hazouri on Lenny Curry: ‘I’m sure the mayor has his regrets’

Kelly Cohen: This is my Orlando

Bill Nelson files legislation to notify FBI if terrorism suspect buys gun

Todd Wilcox talks about eliminating ISIS in first campaign advertisement

Aaron Bean talks Pulse, pension tax, legislative session

At LGBT Center, community bands together, looks for a way forward in tragedy’s wake

Mitch Perry Report for 6.14.16 — Will Trump’s tough talk help him?