Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 24, 2018

A slew of campaign mailers and TV ads pushing for Gainesville Democrat Olysha Magruder in Senate District 8 were outed as being tied to GOP operatives Thursday night, prompting TV stations in the Gainesville media market pull the pro-Magruder ads from the airwaves. Gainesville physician Kayser Enneking, who is running against Magruder in Tuesday’s Democratic […]

Drew WilsonAugust 23, 2018

Gainesville Democrat Olysha Magruder opened a new political committee Thursday in the twilight hours ahead of her Senate District 8 primary battle with fellow Democrat Kayser Enneking. The new committee, known as Protect Prepare Provide, is chaired by Magruder, with one of her SD 8 campaign staffers – Kara Jess – serving as treasurer. Though the committee was acknowledged by […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

An Ocala non-profit organization has made up to $100,000 in illegal expenditures advocating for Olysha Magruder in the Democratic primary for Senate District 8, but the candidate has brushed off concerns about the spending by saying it’s “traditional campaign activity” and accusing supporters of her opponent of “slandering” her character. The Liberation Ocala African American […]

Drew WilsonAugust 18, 2018

A Florida non-profit known as Liberation Ocala African American Council Inc. has been making a late push for Democratic Senate District 8 candidate Olysha Magruder, but its methods may be running afoul of state campaign finance laws. The company, run by former Marion County NAACP president Whitfield Jenkins, has footed the bill for a number […]

Drew WilsonAugust 10, 2018

Gainesville physician Kayser Enneking, a Democrat, started hitting TV Friday with a new ad backing up her campaign to oust incumbent Republican Sen. Keith Perry in Senate District 8. The 30-second spot, titled “Caring For North Central Florida,” features footage of the anesthesiologist in operating rooms, waiting rooms and living rooms while pitching her as […]

Peter SchorschAugust 8, 2018

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Progressive advocacy group For Our Future Florida announced Wednesday that it will pitch in on the effort to flip the state Senate, starting with the seats held by Republican Sens. Keith Perry and Dana Young. Senate District 8, the Gainesville-based seat held by Perry, and Senate District 18, the Tampa-based seat held by Young, sit […]

Peter SchorschJuly 26, 2018

With a number of competitive races slated for the 2018 ballot, Florida Senate Republicans are planning a grand slam of a fundraiser at the U.S. Open in New York City next month. According to an invitation sent out by the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, the main committee supporting GOP state Senate campaigns, donors who […]

Drew WilsonJuly 3, 2018

Gainesville Republican Sen. Keith Perry outraised his opponents during the first three weeks of June, his second reporting period in a row atop the standings. From June 1 through June 22, Perry raised $45,750 for his campaign account and tacked on another $28,000 for his political committee, Building a Prosperous Florida. The campaign haul included […]

Peter SchorschJune 24, 2018

A record number Democratic candidates qualified for state races this week, and the Florida Democratic Party said now it’s time to prepare for the “Blue Wave.” “From the Gubernatorial race, to State House and Senate, to county commissioners and mayors, we have the most qualified, committed, and exciting group of candidates we have ever seen,” […]

Drew WilsonJune 20, 2018

Democrat Kayser Enneking rolled out a one-two punch on the endorsement front this week for her bid to unseat Republican Sen. Keith Perry in Senate District 8. On Monday evening, the Gainesville physician landed a nod from the political committee tied to LGBTQ rights organization Equality Florida. “Equality Florida Action PAC endorses Kayser Enneking in […]

Tag: SD 8

With GOP ties revealed, TV stations pull Olysha Magruder ads

Olysha Magruder launches political committee as questions swirl over outside ads

Olysha Magruder A-OK with ‘dark money’ support in SD 8 Democratic primary

Elections complaint filed against non-profit backing Olysha Magruder in SD 8

Kayser Enneking pitches health care experience in first TV ad

Progressive group sending backup to state Senate battlegrounds

Florida Senate Republicans to raise cash at the U.S. Open

Keith Perry scores another fundraising win in SD 8

Florida Democrats say ‘no GOP seat is safe’ in 2018

Kayser Enneking endorsed by Equality Florida, AFL-CIO