Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 17, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner candidate and Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell rolled out a string of endorsements from his Republican colleagues in the state house. Caldwell earned the support of five Republican representatives: Byron Donalds, Dane Eagle, Heather Fitzenhagen, Bob Rommel and Ray Rodrigues. “I am proud to have unanimous support from House members in Southwest […]

Peter SchorschJuly 25, 2017

In a Tuesday memo, House Speaker Richard Corcoran announced his leadership for the 2018 Legislative Session, including the committee weeks that lead up to the annual session. Current Majority Whip Dane Eagle keeps that post, but now will be a member of the Republican leadership team. Rep. Jim Boyd will chair the Commerce Committee, taking over from […]

Jim RosicaJuly 6, 2017

Medical marijuana advocate John Morgan says cannabis smoking doesn’t “impair lung function” and even “increase(s) lung capacity,” as part of his lawsuit to be filed against the state Thursday. Florida Politics on Wednesday night acquired a copy of the 15-page complaint that Morgan says he will file in Leon Circuit Civil court in Tallahassee—against which a […]

Peter SchorschJune 30, 2017

Rep. Paul Renner has won the support of his Republican classmates, grabbing the title of class leader and likely House Speaker beginning in 2022. The GOP freshmen class met in Orlando on Friday to vote on their class leader. The much-anticipated election pitted Renner against Byron Donalds, Erin Grall and Jamie Grant, who was seen as Renner’s […]

Peter SchorschJune 23, 2017

With just one week until freshman House Republicans are scheduled to vote for their leader, it appears lawmakers have agreed upon rules governing the election. According to a copy of the rules obtained by FloridaPolitics.com, members will not be allowed to abstain from the vote; discussion between members between the announcement of the eliminated candidate […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 13, 2017

The sponsor of a bill to implement the 2016 medical marijuana constitutional amendment said he is confident the state would prevail if sued over the proposal’s smoking ban. “We believe we will win that lawsuit,” said House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, who sponsored the House’s version of the medical marijuana implementing bill during both the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 12, 2017

Rep. Jose Felix Diaz has raised more than $400,000 in the special election to replace Sen. Frank Artiles in Senate District 40. Diaz, a Miami Republican, said his campaign raised about $450,000 — about $280,000 for his official campaign and another $167,000 for Rebuild Florida, his political committee — between May 10 and June 8. “Our […]

Staff ReportsJune 12, 2017

Rep. Matt Caldwell is getting a little help from his friends in bid for Agriculture Commissioner. Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, Rep. Dane Eagle, and Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen are among the more than three dozen Southwest Florida officials scheduled to host a fundraiser for Caldwell on Monday night. The fundraiser, according to a copy of the […]

Joe ReedyJune 12, 2017

The Florida Legislature’s passage of a bill to enact the state’s constitutional amendment expanding the use of medical marijuana has ended one chapter in the battle over setting up regulations for the nascent industry. But pro-pot supporters say it doesn’t go far enough. Once Gov. Rick Scott signs the bill, the principal backer of getting […]

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2017

A change to the Special Session’s medical marijuana legislation that would have allowed patients to smoke it was handily defeated Thursday. The amendment offered by Rep. Evan Jenne, a Dania Beach Democrat, was killed on the House floor by a vote of 37-71. “If a doctor and a patient determine that (smoking) is the best way to […]

Tag: Ray Rodrigues
Tom Homan has a stern warning for states that are uncooperative with deportation orders.

Matt Caldwell endorsed by five Southwest Florida representatives

Richard Corcoran announces 2018 leadership in House

John Morgan’s suit says smoking pot actually good for the lungs

Northeast Florida’s Paul Renner wins vote to put him in line to be House Speaker in 2022-24

Final rules set for House Speaker’s race voting

Ray Rodrigues: ‘We believe we will win’ suit over medical marijuana smoking ban

Jose Felix Diaz raises about $450K for SD 40 race

Ray Rodrigues, other SWFL leaders host fundraiser for Matt Caldwell’s bid for Ag Commissioner

John Morgan plans lawsuit to allow for smoking of medical pot

House beats back effort to allow smoking of medical marijuana