Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschAugust 1, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce last week rolled out a second round of endorsements in legislative races across the state. There are more than 400 candidates who have qualified to run for the 160 seats in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. With this latest round of endorsements, the Chamber is now backing 110 candidates […]

Drew WilsonJuly 14, 2016

The Rod Smith campaign released its third ad in the Senate District 8 campaign Thursday, and this one takes direct aim at his opponent, Republican Rep. Keith Perry. “In North Central Florida, our economy and way of life depend on safe water,” Smith says in the ad. “My opponent Keith Perry voted to ignore local […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 10, 2016

Rod Smith posted another strong fundraising month, his campaign announced Friday. The Alacuha Democrat raised $168,695 in May. Smith raised $52,695 for his campaign fund, and an another $116,000 was raised by “Independent Leadership for Florida,” the political committee backing Smith’s Senate District 8 bid. “I appreciate the continued support from people across North Central […]

Peter SchorschMay 11, 2016

In spirit of Nyquist’s solid Derby win this weekend, let’s take a quick look at the field of Senate Democratic “horses” — those candidates vying for pole position in the top swing seats. For purposes of this analysis, we are looking at what we consider the Top 5 swing seats and the leading Democrat in each. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 9, 2016

Rod Smith raised more than $170,000 in April, his campaign announced on Monday. The campaign announced Smith raised $171,625 in the one-month fundraising period. Of that sum, $87,375 went into his personal campaign account. The remaining $84,250 was given to Independent Leadership for Florida, the political committee supporting Smith’s election. The April numbers boost the […]

Drew WilsonApril 12, 2016

March clocked in as one of the best fundraising months in Gainesville Republican Rep. Keith Perry’s political career. However, it paled in comparison to his opponent’s first-month haul in the race for the new Senate District 8. The March report shows just over $53,000 in contributions, nearly all of it from within the borders of […]

Staff ReportsApril 7, 2016

Former State Attorney and State Senator Rod Smith raised $282,985 in his first month of his Senate District 8 campaign. In a statement Thursday, Smith’s campaign called the response a “massive outpouring” of bipartisan support. The figures include $150,485 contributed to his personal campaign account, and another $132,500 to Independent Leadership for Florida, the political […]

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2016

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; the band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, and somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; but there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out. Mudville, in this case, is Tallahassee. And Casey is a stand-in for […]

Drew WilsonMarch 1, 2016

Democrat Rod Smith announced Tuesday morning he’s again running for state Senate in the new Senate District 8. He spoke of his plans to a crowd of about 50 people in front of the Alachua County Civil Courthouse in Gainesville. Flanked by his family, the former State Attorney and state Senator stressed the importance of […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 29, 2016

Standing in front of the Alachua County Court House Monday former state Sen. Rod Smith teased a “major announcement” for Tuesday morning, almost certainly his entry into the race for the newly redrawn Senate District 8. The Gainesville lawyer and former Florida Democratic Party chairman would be the second candidate in the contest, joining Gainesville Republican […]

Tag: Rod Smith

10 picks that stand out among the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 legislative endorsements

Rod Smith drops 3rd ad in SD 8, taking direct aim at Keith Perry

Rod Smith raises $168K in May for SD 8 bid

Handicapping the Florida Senate Democrats’ fundraising efforts

Democrat Rod Smith raises more than $171K in April

Keith Perry’s solid March fundraising in SD 8 pales compared to Democrat Rod Smith

Rod Smith raises nearly $283K in first month of SD 8 campaign

Peter Schorsch: No joy in Mudville, the Legislature struck out

Rod Smith makes state Senate run official with courthouse announcement in Gainesville

Rod Smith teases “major announcement”; likely entering SD 8 race