Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonFebruary 15, 2016

With the entry of businessman and veteran Chadwick Hardee last week, Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia is now facing a three-way primary race as he looks to shift over to House District 50, covering parts of Brevard and Orange counties. Hardee had been thinking about a run in HD 50 last year, but opted to drop out after Plasencia […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 10, 2016

Incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Miller increased his lead over his three Democratic challengers for House District 47 last month, while neighboring HD 49 is still only sporting a single candidate. Miller brought in $14,985 in January and only spent $826, leaving him with just over $79,000 on-hand in his re-election campaign. The 23 January contributions […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 2, 2016

Mandated play time could be coming to Florida schools. The state House Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday voted 13-0 to approve a House Bill 833, which would require public schools to provide 100 minutes of recess each week to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The measure also applies to sixth-grade students enrolled in a […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2016

A House education panel unanimously cleared a bill that would create a state mandate for elementary schools to give students at least 100 minutes of recess per week. The K-12 Subcommittee OK’d the measure (HB 833) Tuesday. It must next clear the Education Appropriations Subcommittee and full Education Committee before it can be heard on the House floor. The bill, […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2016

The year 2015 ended with little competitive balance in campaign money among Central Florida candidates running for Florida House of Representatives seats as incumbents, when they have any competition at all yet. One exception, in Seminole County’s House District 30 has incumbent Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes raising more than $101,000 for his campaign. Yet […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 4, 2016

A new year brings two new laws to Florida’s statute books. Bills passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor often go into effect immediately or on July 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year. Some, however, go into effect the first day of the next calendar year. This year, only two measures meet […]

Mitch PerryNovember 11, 2015

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Like his fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate race, Carlos Lopez-Cantera will be appearing this weekend at the Republican Party of Florida’s Sunshine Summit, but unlike his opponents, he’ll have a a number of Orlando-area lawmakers by his side supporting him. The lieutenant governor announced endorsements from nine Central Florida Republicans on Wednesday. They are: […]

Frank TorresSeptember 24, 2015

Wednesday night, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined local leaders to officially reveal details of the 2015 Calle Orange Festival, an annual celebration of the region’s Hispanic culture. The Festival, now in its 17th year, has become one of the largest events in Orlando. On Sunday, October 25, Calle Orange will fill the streets of downtown with thousands […]

Frank TorresSeptember 16, 2015

College Professor George Collins has filed to run in Florida House District 50, setting up a Republican primary with District 49 State Representative Rene Plasencia, according to the East Orlando Post. This will be the second time Collins will be running for the seat that consists of parts of Orange and Brevard counties. In 2014, […]

Frank TorresAugust 31, 2015

The field of candidates is down to one in House District 49, after one potential challenger said she won’t be running and a filed candidate withdrew over the weekend. Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration regional director Betsy Franceschini confirmed late Friday that she would not be running for the east Orlando seat that includes the University […]

Tag: Rene Plasencia
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Image via Visit Florida.

Businessman Chadwick Hardee jumps into HD 50 GOP primary

Incumbent Mike Miller increases fundraising lead over challengers in HD 47 race

Mandatory recess bill moving through state House

Bill would mandate elementary schools to give recess

Bob Cortes’ impressive campaign cash haul almost matched by Ryan Yadav’s self-loans

Two new laws added to state’s books

Carlos Lopez-Cantera rolls out nods from 9 Central Florida Republicans

Local leaders announce Festival Calle Orange in downtown Orlando

George Collins files to run for HD 50

2 possible contenders pass on HD 49 run