Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJune 19, 2017

Orlando businessman Bruno Portigliatti qualified for the ballot Monday for the upcoming special election in Florida’s House District 44, giving the Republicans four qualified candidates for the Aug. 15 primary. Portigliatti, of Orlando, is chief executive officer of Excellence Senior Living, a developer of luxury assisted living facilities for seniors, and executive vice president of Florida […]

Scott PowersJune 16, 2017

Businessman and Kissimmee chamber of commerce executive John Newstreet has qualified by petition as a Republican candidate running in the special election to fill the Florida House District 44 opening for west Orange County. And in the same district, a second Democratic candidate now has filed, Nuren Durre Haider of Orlando, who is vice chair […]

Scott PowersJune 14, 2017

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A handful of Republicans and Libertarians gathered in Orlando Wednesday to announce formation of a conservative group to oppose Florida’s death penalty, yet tried hard to distance themselves from controversial and progressive anti-death penalty State Attorney Aramis Ayala, whose office was only 30 feet away. The group Florida Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty is an offshoot […]

Scott PowersJune 13, 2017

In one of the more biting moments in the 1997 film “Good Will Hunting,” mathematician Gerald Lambeau, played by Stellan Skarsgård, apologizes to his old friend, psychologist Sean Maguire, played by Robin Williams, for having missed the funeral of Sean’s wife. “I got your card,” Sean snapped, not at all disguising his anger. Did we […]

Martin DyckmanMay 22, 2017

The Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts wrote a powerful case for Donald Trump‘s impeachment, in the style of an open letter to the “Dear Republicans in Congress,” that I was reading to my wife as she prepared breakfast the other morning. At the part where Pitts asked, “Have you no loyalties deeper than party?” Ivy […]

Scott PowersMay 19, 2017

Republican House District 44 candidate Bobby Olszewski is rolling out his endorsement backers for two major fundraisers late this month as he gears up for what will be a big special election primary battle in Orange County. One fundraiser, set for the Shutts and Bowen law firm in Orlando on May 30, features the trio […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Across the aisles and across the Sunshine State Florida’s members of Congress are universally praising the announcement that former FBI Director Robert Mueller will lead a special investigation into Russian interference in American elections. Some Democrats, while praising the appointment and Mueller’s integrity, still called for more, including the special commission that Democrats have been […]

Scott PowersMay 16, 2017

A lot of Florida’s Democratic members of Congress are responding with stunned disbelief to news reports — and President Donald Trump‘s Tuesday morning tweet — that he shared classified, highly sensitive ISIS information with Russian diplomats last week, calling the prospect inexcusable and demanding details. Republican U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami and Mario Diaz-Balart […]

Scott PowersMay 10, 2017

Florida’s Democratic members of Congress are expressing outrage over Tuesday evening’s firing of FBI Director James Comey and saying it solidifies their demands for an independent investigation into ties between President Donald Trump and Russia. In statements released last night, Democrats were using words like “disgusting,” “disturbing” and “preposterous,” even as many acknowledged that they were […]

Scott PowersMay 2, 2017

Republicans wasted little time, setting their sights quickly on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham Tuesday, accusing her of having no achievements in public service, and hiding some of her congressional records. In separate releases, the Republican Party of Florida said she lacks accomplishments to run on; the Republican Governors Association said the former congresswoman did […]

Tag: Republicans

Fourth Republican, Bruno Portigliatti, qualifies for HD 44 special election

John Newstreet qualifies by petition, second Democrat enters HD 44 race

Conservative group forms to oppose Florida’s death penalty

Did Republican state and national leaders mail in their Pulse appearances?

Martin Dyckman: It’s always about the money

Bobby Olszewski fundraisers set for Orlando, Miami in HD 44 race

Universal support for Robert Mueller so far from Florida’s members of Congress

Partly in disbelief, Florida’s members of Congress denounce Donald Trump’s revelations to Russians

Florida’s Democrats, Carlos Curbelo call for investigation after James Comey firing

Republicans quickly attack Gwen Graham as non-achieving, nontransparent