Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Frank TorresAugust 28, 2015

Much like preparing for a hurricane, Orange County Republicans are looking for some shelter from an upcoming storm. And it’s not Tropical Storm Erika that has the GOP worried. In a unanimous vote Thursday evening, the Orange County Republican Executive Committee approved a group of three stand-alone campaign finance accounts, which would protect them from […]

Frank TorresAugust 25, 2015

State Rep. Tom Goodson wants to remind voters he’ll be running in House District 51 next year. Goodson. a Titusville Republican who represents District 50, sent out a news release Tuesday afternoon: Despite what the pundits are saying, I want to make it clear that I am running for the Florida House of Representatives in District 51, and […]

Frank TorresAugust 24, 2015

The Orange County legislative delegation met in downtown Orlando on Monday afternoon to listen to concerns from constituents and their fellow elected officials regarding this year’s Legislative Session and next year’s early Session with committee weeks beginning in September. Lawmakers on hand included Senate President Andy Gardiner, State Sens. Kelli Stargel, Alan Hays, Geraldine Thompson, […]

Frank TorresAugust 24, 2015

Carlos Guillermo Smith announced endorsements from 13 sitting Democratic members of the Florida House on Monday morning, in his bid to be the next representative from House District 49. The list includes State Reps. Lori Berman, Randolph Bracy, Dwight Dudley, Joseph Gellar, Evan Jenne, Shevrin Jones, Dave Kerner, Amanda Murphy, Bobby Powell, Kevin Rader, Richard […]

Frank TorresAugust 10, 2015

Orange County Democratic Executive Chairman and House District 49 candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith raised about $12,500 in July to bring his campaign haul to $34,000 for his first two months on the trail. Smith has over $31,000 of it on hand. Smith’s lone opponent Gus Martinez has not had any significant fundraising activity, nor does he […]

Frank TorresJuly 31, 2015

Equality Florida, a civil rights organization dedicated to securing equality for Florida’s LGBT community, has endorsed Carlos Guillermo Smith in the race for Florida House District 49. Smith worked for Equality Florida’s public policy team during this year’s Regular Session. In a message to supporters Equality Florida said, “In 2016, we’ll have a chance to […]

Ryan RayJuly 24, 2015

House District 49 Democratic candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith announced to a rally of fast food workers he will stand with them in gesture of solidarity by agreeing to temporarily live on Florida’s minimum wage $8.05 an hour. The move, which liberal legislators such as Sen. Dwight Bullard and Rep. Cynthia Stafford have mirrored in the past, comes amid […]

Ryan RayJune 3, 2015

Recent developments in two House seats are helping to start defining the field in 2016’s slate of competitive legislative races. In the race to succeed term-limited Republican Speaker pro tempore Matt Hudson, a new candidate — the third to file so far — has emerged: Republican attorney Joseph Asher Davidrow opened a campaign account in the […]

Phil AmmannJune 1, 2015

Carlos Guillermo Smith, the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee chairman, is running for Florida House District 49. Frank Torres of The Orlando Political Observer reported that the University of Central Florida graduate made his announcement Monday morning. Smith had previously suggested he might run in April. Smith previously was a legislative aide to Democratic state […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 1, 2015

Eight House Republicans have been targeted by FloridaStrong, a group that calls itself “non-partisan” even thought it has ties to Democrats. The mailer targets Republicans in swing districts, accusing them of “fail(ing) leadership, violating the state Constitution, and endangering the health and well-being of Floridians.” The mailer doesn’t mention Medicaid or FHIX which caused the rift […]

Tag: Rene Plasencia

Orange County GOP approves finance accounts to shelter from House Speaker storm

Tom Goodson wants to be clear that he’s running in House District 51 in 2016

Orange County legislative delegation talks utilities, budgets, education

Carlos Smith rolls out endorsements from 13 House Democrats in House 49 race

Carlos Smith raises $12.5K during July for HD 49 race

Equality Florida endorses Carlos Smith in HD 49

House candidate Carlos Smith accepts minimum wage challenge

House races in HD 49, 80 beginning to take shape

Democrat Carlos Guillermo Smith enters House District 49 race

“Non partisan” group targets 8 House Rs in negative mailer