Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 3, 2017

Less than three years after Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation providing for state revenues to go toward constructing or improving professional sports franchise facilities, state Sen. Tom Lee wants to eliminate the program created to distribute those funds. “The Sports Development Program was ill-conceived and based on the false premise that these capital improvements are a boon for economic development,” the Brandon Republican said […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 3, 2017

Congresswoman Gwen Graham took the last few days of the year to reflect on 2016, looking back on a series of successes during the Tallahassee Democrat’s single term in Congress. Graham, who opted not to run for re-election after redistricting made Florida’s 2nd Congressional District too Republican, is also looking to the future — with the promise to […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 3, 2017

With Republicans in control of all branches of state government for what is approaching nearly two decades, one check on their levers of power has been the Florida Supreme Court, which has at times has served as a safeguard to what some would call the Legislature’s worst excesses, such as redistricting and the death penalty. Until […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2017

Christian Ziegler says the idea of challenging Blaise Ingoglia for leadership of the Republican Party of Florida first came to his mind last May. He was presiding over a gathering of the state’s Republican committeemen and committeewomen at the party’s quarterly meeting in Tampa. That’s when he said a slight case of pandemonium erupted when he began distributing approximately […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 31, 2016

Everyone expected Florida to play an important role in politics this year. And why wouldn’t they? Presidential hopefuls hailed from here; the state’s electoral votes were coveted; and its Senate race could have determined control of the U.S. Senate. But just like many predictions in 2016, some of the prophecies for Florida’s outsized role on […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 28, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott continued to grow his war chest in 2016, raising millions of dollars amid speculation he plans to mount a U.S. Senate bid in two years. State records show Let’s Get to Work — the political committee that fueled Scott’s 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial races — raised more than $2.9 million in 2016. And […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 28, 2016

Nearly a dozen state senators are throwing their support behind Blaise Ingoglia’s bid to keep his job as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. The Spring Hill Republican announced Wednesday the support of 10 state senators, including former Majority Leader Bill Galvano and former House Majority Leader and newly elected Sen. Dana Young. “Over […]

Florence SnyderDecember 26, 2016

Like a teenager who wants Daddy’s money, but not Daddy’s directives, Gov. Rick Scott is not embarrassed to throw tantrums when the feds fail to pony-up fast enough whenever it rains, even as he sticks his fingers in his ears at unwanted advice like “try rolling up your windows.” Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) director Craig […]

Tom JacksonDecember 23, 2016

Like comedy, politics is most often all about timing. No one knows this better than Will Weatherford, who at the age of 26 rocketed from obscure legislative aide to Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives because of unanticipated, but perfectly placed, events (more about which in a moment). Now, arguably, this once-rising star of […]

Staff ReportsDecember 22, 2016

They can’t all be winners, but it’s fair to say several top Florida politicians had one heck of a 2016. In the winter edition of INFLUENCE Magazine, we recognize some of the runners-up for 2016 politician of the year. Sure, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry may have grabbed the top spot, but these Floridians also had […]

Tag: Rick Scott

Tom Lee wants to eliminate program designed to use taxpayers funds on sports facilities

Email insights: Gwen Graham reflects on time in Congress, hints a ‘look to the future’

Mitch Perry Report for 1.3.17 — Remembering Justice Perry’s words

Christian Ziegler contends the race for Florida GOP chair will be a close contest

Infamous dates: The moments that shaped Florida politics in 2016

Rick Scott’s political committee raises more than $2.9M in 2016

Blaise Ingoglia touts support from state senators in Florida GOP chair re-election bid

Craig Fugate fumes while Florida sinks in a sea of bulls**t!

Will Weatherford’s timing off, but only for the moment

Philip Levine among INFLUENCE Magazine’s 2016 Politicians of the Year