Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersSeptember 6, 2017

Newly-filed Florida House District 29 Democratic candidate Patrick Brandt said he’s running because he believes Republicans in Tallahassee oppose “nearly everything I stand for.” Brandt, 47, a lawyer from Longwood, filed earlier this week to oppose Republican state Rep. Scott Plakon. Brandt said he is engaging with Gainesville Democratic political consultant Bryan Eastman and bringing […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 5, 2017

Republican Rep. Scott Plakon has drawn his first Democratic opponent in House District 29, which covers part of Seminole County including Lake Mary and Longwood. Patrick Brandt entered the race on Sept. 1 and is so far the only candidate running against Plakon, who is going for a third term in his second stint in […]

Scott PowersAugust 21, 2017

Democratic state Sen. Perry Thurston has filed legislation to make historic educator Mary McLeod Bethune the replacement for Confederate Army Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith as one of Florida’s two statutes in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall in Washington D.C.. The statute of Smith is definitely its way out, thanks to Senate Bill 310, which was passed by […]

Scott PowersAugust 8, 2017

State Rep. Bob Cortes is speaking out about a rate hike approved by the Public Service Commission last week. The Altamont Springs Republican believes the hike will double water and sewer rates for western Seminole County residents. “This decision, which doubles rates for western Seminole residents, demonstrates that the Public Service Commission is not standing […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 23, 2017

Several state lawmakers — including Reps. Scott Plakon, Neil Combee, and Randy Fine — have received messages from their constituents asking them to block Grant from running for re-election and running for Speaker during the 2022-24 term, saying the Tampa Republican has already served eight years in office and any more would be in violation of the […]

Scott PowersJune 21, 2017

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Interparty, cross-house fighting over the controversial education omnibus bill House Bill 7069 is not yet over, nor are efforts to stop provisions that could spell death sentences to underperforming public schools, Republican state Sen. Dave Simmons vowed Wednesday. And the bill might face a legal challenge led by state Sen. Gary Farmer, a Parkland Republican […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2017

(Originally published Tuesday, June 6, 2017) At least eight House members and one senator won’t be attending some or all of this week’s Special Session, set for Wednesday-Friday. The June meeting is conflicting with some lawmakers’ plans, including one whose brother is getting married out of state. Below is a list, as of Tuesday afternoon, […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Susie Plakon, wife of state Rep. Scott Plakon, was honored Thursday for inspiring HB 883 for the creation of a memory disorder clinic at Florida Hospital – a victory for a woman who is herself battling Alzheimer’s Disease. The Florida-based hospital unveiled a plaque Thursday declaring, “Florida Hospital proudly honors Susie Plakon for her courage […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

The headline may have been funny, even in a bipartisan way: “Breaking: FBI Uncovers Evidence that 62 Million Trump Voters are All Russian Agents.” But the source and the link embedded in a Facebook post Rep. Scott Plakon shared Wednesday night was neo-Nazi and white supremacist. When alerted by FloridaPolitics.com Thursday morning that he shared […]

Jim RosicaApril 26, 2017

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The Florida Legislature has voted to tear down the booze ‘wall.’ The House, on a by-a-nose vote of 58-57, Wednesday passed the Senate’s bill (SB 106) to allow retailers, at least those who choose to do so, to remove the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. The legislation now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. […]

Tag: Scott Plakon

HD 29 Democrat Patrick Brandt to campaign on springs, schools, health care

Scott Plakon gets first challenger in HD 29

Perry Thurston files bill to put Mary McLeod Bethune’s statue in Capitol

Bob Cortes blasts Public Service Commission for Seminole water rate hike

Is U.S. Term Limits coordinating a grassroots campaign against Jamie Grant?

David Simmons: We’re not done yet with HB 7069

Some lawmakers bowing out of Special Session

Susie Plakon honored for role in passing HB 883 for memory disorder clinic

Scott Plakon shares Facebook post from neo-Nazi site, insists he had no idea what it was

Legislature votes to tear down the ‘liquor wall’