Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Susan ClaryNovember 4, 2013

Charlie Crist announced Monday (Nov. 4) that he once again is a candidate for Florida governor. He has been expected to announce his run since last year’s presidential race when he campaigned for President Obama and spoke at the Democratic National Convention. In anticipation, the Republican Party of Florida launched an anti-Crist website – This […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 3, 2013

The sight of Charlie Crist running for governor as a Democrat should not startle anyone old enough to remember that Richard Nixon went to China and began successful strategic arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union. For such an arch Cold Warrior to come to terms with common sense and necessity was in one of […]

Daniel TilsonOctober 30, 2013

Florida Democratic Party leaders, staffers, grassroots activists, old-school community organizers, new-school social media mavens and assorted behind-the-scenes “bigwigs” all converged in Orlando last weekend for their annual statewide conference. With so much yardage still to gain on electoral and policy-making playing fields dominated for so long by the GOP, Democrats arrived fired up and determined […]

Guest AuthorOctober 28, 2013

Florida started to privatize its economic development functions in 1992 with the enactment of Enterprise Florida Inc. and abolished the Florida Department of Commerce in 1996. In 2011, Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature created the Department of Economic Opportunity. One of its responsibilities is to manage the state’s contract with Enterprise Florida. The president […]

Peter SchorschOctober 28, 2013

If you are involved in Florida politics and have a Facebook page, it’s likely your timeline was dominated by pictures of Charlie Crist working the crowd at the Florida Democratic Party’s state conference. There’s Charlie planting a kiss on the head of likely primary rival Nan Rich! There’s Charlie being trailed by his new entourage of Dan Gelber, […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2013

Florida Democrats have not had a winning gubernatorial candidate since the late Lawton Chiles won a second term in 1994. Whether the outcome will be different next year is debatable because it appears the party will choose a candidate who is not a true Democrat but a former Republican-turned- Independent-turned-Democrat. Suffice it to say that […]

Susan ClaryOctober 22, 2013

Walk into a room of progressive activists anywhere in the state and ask them what they think about former Gov. Charlie Crist. Chances are you wouldn’t get agreement. Democrats either have a crush on the former St. Pete High quarterback, swooning at the idea he may be our next governor, or they act like he’s […]

Bob SparksOctober 21, 2013

Odd numbered years are not a political junkie’s delight. Though millions of Americans may wish otherwise, no U.S. House or Senate members are up for re-election. Florida politicos must satisfy their political appetites through local races or ballot issues. One Florida campaign clearly worth watching is for mayor of St. Petersburg. While this is officially […]

Julie DelegalOctober 20, 2013

Last of six parts. A test developed by the Partnership for the Assessment of College and Career Readiness (PARCC) might still win Florida’s contract, even though Gov. Rick Scott withdrew Florida from the multi-state, test-development group on Sept. 23. Scott also dissolved Florida’s obligations as fiscal agent for the group, so bids for PARCC’s testing-related […]

Peter SchorschOctober 3, 2013

Imagine you are an NFL player whose team has made it deep into the playoffs. You have one game left — the conference championship — standing between you and playing in the Super Bowl. Now imagine that your opponent in that conference championship match-up just decided it won’t be playing that game, meaning you’re on […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Hurricane Milton satellite imagery as of 5 a.m. Oct. 7, via NOAA via AP.

Susan Clary: Dems must rally behind winner or risk repeat of 2002

Martin Dyckman: Who is the real Crist — and do voters care?

Daniel Tilson: The progressive push that Charlie Crist needs

Dan Krassner: State lawmakers should give Enterprise Florida an overhaul

Peter Schorsch: By sitting on floor, Crist shows the humility Scott administration lacks

Barney Bishop: Democrats finally have a stronger backbench

Susan Clary: If Crist is willing to run, Democrats need to rally behind him

Bob Sparks: Campaign for St. Pete Mayor is worth watching

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: What’s next?

Peter Schorsch: Winners, losers emerging from Alex Sink’s decision not to run for governor