Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bill RuftySeptember 21, 2016

Republicans and Democrats agreeing on a major issue – It seldom (if ever) happens lately in national politics. But on a state level, Republican Sam Killebrew and Democrat Bob Doyel, competing for Florida House District 41, agreed on the critical issue of education in the state of Florida. There are too many tests and perhaps […]

Bill RuftySeptember 4, 2016

Polk County will likely never return to the Democratic bastion that was home to four U.S. senators, three governors, and four presidents of the Florida Senate. But from Tuesday’s primaries and the fielding of candidates for the Nov. 8 general elections, Polk Democrats are slowly learning to make the now-GOP bastion a two-party county again. There […]

Staff ReportsAugust 25, 2016

There are just a few weeks until the election, and organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. Several organizations — the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Retail Federation, and the Service Employees International Union Florida — issued endorsements. — Rebecca Negron has received the backing of James Dobson, the […]

Peter SchorschJuly 25, 2016

On Friday, the Florida Realtors PAC made its endorsements for the 2016 election cycle. There are more than 400 candidates who have qualified to run for the 160 seats in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. According to a release from the organization, candidates were evaluated on numerous factors, including their voting record on issues […]

Bill RuftyMay 24, 2016

A fundraiser for Sam Killebrew, Republican primary candidate for Florida House District 41, is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday at the home of Harriet and Dean Boring, 2112 Hawthorne Trail, in Lakeland. Killebrew, retired contractor and a GOP fundraiser and activist, is competing with retired appellate Judge Charles Davis for the party’s nomination. The winner […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 20, 2016

Ed Smith has gathered enough petition signatures to qualify for the House District 41 race, the Bartow Republican announced Wednesday. “The campaign has got momentum,” Smith said. “I thank everyone who signed a card for me and I have enjoyed meeting new friends along the way.” The former Winter Haven police officer is the first […]

Bill RuftySeptember 22, 2015

Former 10th Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Doyel officially filed late last week to run as a Democrat for the Florida House. House District 41 is within eastern Polk County. Doyel is the fourth candidate to open a campaign account for the seat being vacated by Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican, who will reach his […]

Bill RuftySeptember 1, 2015

A third Republican and likely to be the fourth candidate overall seeking the vacant Florida House District 41 next year filed his qualification papers Tuesday. Retired 2nd District Court of Appeal Judge Charlie Davis filed to run as a Republican for the east Polk County House seat that will be left vacant by Rep. John […]

Bill RuftyAugust 27, 2015

Former Circuit Court Judge Robert Doyel announced Thursday that he is running in 2016 for Florida House District 41, which encompasses most of the eastern portion of Polk County. County Democratic Party officials confirmed last week that they were trying to recruit Doyel to run against Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel. “I was approached about running […]

Ryan RayMay 11, 2015

A battle between two Republicans is shaping up in Polk County-based House District 41, where Winter Haven Rep. John Wood won’t stand for re-election in 2016 because of term limits. To date, the open seat has attracted Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith as well as Sam Killebrew, a retired contractor who joined the race — a la Dick Cheney — after recruiting and […]

Tag: Sam Killebrew
Image via LinkedIn.

Bill Rufty: A political rarity in HD 41 – Republican, Democrat agree

Bill Rufty: Polk becoming a two-Party county?

Endorsement Watch: Florida Medical Association, Florida Retail Federation, SEIU Florida and others issue endorsements

15 picks that stand out among the Florida Realtors’ 2016 legislative endorsements

HD 41 candidate Sam Killebrew to hold Lakeland fundraiser Thursday

Ed Smith submits enough signatures to qualify for HD 41 race

Robert Doyel makes it a race in HD 41

Bill Rufty: A 4th candidate for HD 41

Robert Doyel announces HD 41 bid

Race to succeed John Wood heats up in Polk County House district