Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 7, 2018

A few days after seeing Republican Gov. Rick Scott‘s campaign launch a TV commercial seeking to blame him for Florida’s algae crisis, Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is firing back with an internet ad attempting to portray the environmental disaster as entirely Scott’s fault. The new 30-second video, “Algae,” begins with images of putrid, green […]

Scott PowersAugust 6, 2018

Republican Gov. Rick Scott is telling his oft-told tale of his humble upbringing in public housing and rise to success, in Spanish now, with a new TV commercial. The 30-second spot, “Esperanza,” [“Hope,”] produced for Spanish-language television, tells his story in old photo-album snapshots and narration. And then the narrator, text, and his own comments […]

Jacob OglesAugust 6, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott announced late Sunday that he would travel to Colombia for the inauguration of new President Ivan Duque in Bogota. While in South America, he plans to meet with exiled leaders from Venezuela. Scott, who right now is running against incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, stressed his longtime connections to South American leaders […]

Staff ReportsAugust 5, 2018

The second biggest shopping holiday of the year is here. No, it’s not the U.S. Coast Guard’s birthday, not in Florida at least. It’s the “Back-to-School” sales tax holiday. According to the Florida Retail Federation, the weekend — scheduled yearly by Florida lawmakers — is second only to Black Friday when it comes to getting […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerAugust 5, 2018

Florida “medallion scholars” will be among the biggest beneficiaries this academic year of the state’s efforts to expand financial aid for university and state college students. As students enroll for their fall classes this month, the projected 46,000 medallion scholars will have their Bright Futures scholarships increased to cover 75 percent of tuition and fees, […]

Peter SchorschAugust 4, 2018

Every July Fourth, Florida Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston reads a copy of the Declaration of Independence reprinted in the Tallahassee Democrat. “I always sit in the morning with a cup of coffee and read back through that,” Polston told members of the Economic Club of Florida in Tallahassee this week. “I just enjoy doing […]

Scott PowersAugust 3, 2018

Rick Scott is blaming his Democratic opponent Bill Nelson for the harmful algae blooms devastating Lake Okeechobee and Florida’s coasts, according to a new TV and internet commercial from Scott’s Senate campaign. “Experts agree: Washington controls the dike at Lake O, so they have to fix it. And so we wait for Washington,” the commercial declares, as CBS News footage […]

Drew WilsonAugust 3, 2018

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis brought in more than $1 million apiece between their campaigns and political committees last week, according to newly filed campaign finance reports. Putnam, per usual, brought in the most. His haul included nearly $1 million in campaign funds and another $587,100 in soft money raised via […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 3, 2018

Hours after the 1st District Court of Appeal sided with Gov. Rick Scott in his desire to appoint the successor for Judge Robert Foster, the Governor announced last week that Duval County Judge Lester Bass would be his pick if the Florida Supreme Court doesn’t overrule the appeal. On Friday, Jacksonville lawyer David Trotti, who had appealed the district court’s rulingto […]

Staff ReportsAugust 3, 2018

For political watchers, August offers an embarrassment of riches in this market. A number of competitive and contested primaries, including one open Democratic primary and a citywide race for tax collector. Not to mention the state races, including one competitive primary for governor and one that appears to be all but decided. For those keeping […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Close-up. Arrested man handcuffed hands at the back

Bill Nelson ad: Florida’s algae crisis is made by Rick Scott

Rick Scott tells his rags-to-riches story in new Spanish ad

Rick Scott to attend inauguration of Colombian President Ivan Duque

Retailers expect near record spending during back-to-school tax holiday

Students get boost from Bright Futures changes

Takeaways from Tallahassee — A justice talks civics

Rick Scott ad seeks to blame algae disaster on Bill Nelson

Matching funds fuel $1M-plus hauls for Ron DeSantis, Adam Putnam

Lester Bass appointment to 4th circuit court still in flux after Supreme Court stay

Jacksonville Bold for 8.3.18 — Home stretch