Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannJanuary 5, 2018

The weather report was unprecedented this week. Cold as ice, as the Foreigner classic goes. But for those needing a warmup, the 2018 political landscape brings the heat. Right now, it’s hotter than July in the orbit of almost-Jacksonville Rep. Ron DeSantis. He’s got the billionaires backing him, and a robopoll saying he’s more popular […]

Scott PowersJanuary 4, 2018

Having largely tackled many of the education and jobs challenges arising from the mass migration of Puerto Ricans seeking a place to live in Florida after Hurricane Maria largely shut down their lives on the island, state and local officials gathered in Orlando told Gov. Rick Scott that housing remains a major problem. Scott met […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 4, 2018

Calling his qualities “all too rare in politics,” former Florida Governor and presidential candidate Jeb Bush on Thursday endorsed Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis for a second term. The former Republican House member has now picked up the endorsements of two Florida governors: Bush and Gov. Rick Scott, a longtime ally of Patronis who appointed […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 4, 2018

Audubon Florida announced its legislative priorities on Thursday, but also was happy to see Gov. Rick Scott oppose the U.S. Department of Interior’s possible drilling explorations in the Sunshine State. “We were glad to see Gov. Scott’s response, coming out strongly in opposition to drilling near Florida’s waters,” said Julie Wraithmell, the interim executive director of […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 4, 2018

Former Margate Sen. Jeremy Ring announced Thursday that 19 Democratic state lawmakers have endorsed him in the chief financial officer race. “From the very beginning I have believed that our campaign is all about people power,” Ring said. “I am proud to have the support of each and every one of these legislators. Over the […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 4, 2018

So much for the “partner in the White House.” Gov. Rick Scott enjoyed lunch with President Donald Trump on New Year’s Eve, but Scott is finding President Trump’s position on offshore oil drilling hard to digest. “Based on media reports, it is likely that the Department of the Interior will consider Florida as a potential state for offshore […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 4, 2018

Sen. Jeff Brandes filed a bill Wednesday that would toss a controversial “certificate of need” hospital regulatory process as the House fast-tracks an identical bill. House Republican leaders and Gov. Rick Scott, a former hospital CEO, have long supported repealing the “certificate of need,” but the effort has stalled in the Senate. This year, though, the […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 4, 2018

A new year brings yet another attack by environmentalists against the South Florida Water Management District’s plan for a reservoir to help clean Lake Okeechobee discharges. This time, the Everglades Foundation is offering its own plan — even though the group is criticizing a proposal it helped create. First, a timeline of events. In January […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 3, 2018

Tuesday saw Florida Gov. Rick Scott in Jacksonville, trumpeting job growth at St. Johns Marine Group, a full-service ship repair and maintenance company in Jacksonville. The company has added 20 jobs recently. Events like this are familiar scenes for media in Northeast Florida and urban areas of the Sunshine State. Scott touts job creation, but there […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 2, 2018

New Year’s Eve found Gov. Rick Scott lunching with President Donald Trump. Trump has all but anointed Scott to be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate this year, and Republicans have obliged that path by clearing the field for the Governor. In Jacksonville Tuesday, Scott faced now-familiar questions on this race … as well as his feelings […]

Tag: Rick Scott

Jacksonville Bold for 1.5.18 — Cold outside, 2018 is hot

Rick Scott’s Puerto Rico roundtable reaches same concern as others: housing

Jeb Bush endorses CFO Jimmy Patronis for another term

Audubon happy Rick Scott opposes drilling, releases Session priorities

Jeremy Ring snags a pile of endorsements from state lawmakers

Florida pols oppose proposed offshore oil drilling; Donald Trump isn’t worried

Senator files ‘certificate of need’ repeal bill, identical to House priority

A new year brings more overreach by environmentalists on Lake O reservoir

In Rick Scott’s Florida, job growth is a matter of perspective

Rick Scott remains coy about 2018 U.S. Senate, governor races