Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJanuary 7, 2019

How was it possible for Amendment 4, the amendment restoring the voting rights of former felons, to get 64.55 percent of the vote in Florida? All statewide partisan races were close. Clearly, this vote was not partisan. I think the reason is one basic human instinct. Redemption. Americans believe in second chances. They believe in […]

Staff ReportsDecember 28, 2018

Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel will be Secretary of State under Ron DeSantis after the Governor-elect is sworn in next month, according to a Friday transition press release. The person in the appointed position is, among other things, the state’s chief elections officer. News that Ertel was being considered was first reported by Florida […]

Scott PowersDecember 4, 2018

Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel calls his office “America’s Finest Elections Team,” and it has national awards to back him up. Now he may be in the running to become the state’s top elections official. Rumors have been swirling since Election Day that Ertel, a Republican who regularly voices a passion for voters’ […]

Ryan NicolNovember 13, 2018

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A lawsuit filed by Democratic House District 89 candidate Jim Bonfiglio demanding an immediate recount in his race has now been transferred to federal court. Bonfiglio first filed the lawsuit Monday in the state’s 2nd Judicial Circuit, based in Tallahassee. Secretary of State Ken Detzner, the Palm Beach County canvassing board, and Palm Beach Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher were […]

Scott PowersOctober 9, 2018

Potential voters will get an extra day to register to vote in any counties forced to close their Supervisor of Elections offices today due to Hurricane Michael. Late Monday night Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner issued an order extending Tuesday’s deadline for written voter registrations if county supervisor of elections decide to close down […]

Scott PowersSeptember 13, 2017

Democratic nominee Paul Chandler‘s stealth resignation from the special election for Florida House 44, combined with Hurricane Irma, might have already given the election victory to Republican nominee Bobby Olszewski. Chandler filed his resignation Friday, but the Florida Secretary of State’s office was closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday because of Hurricane Irma. So […]

Mitch PerryMarch 29, 2017

A bill to make Secretary of State an elected, Cabinet-level post advanced Wednesday through the Senate Rules Committee. Legislation by Fernandina Beach Republican Aaron Bean (SB 882) rolled through the committee with neither debate nor discussion. Historically, the Secretary of State in Florida was elected by the public, but that changed in 1998 when constitutional changes […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 10, 2017

There may be one more statewide office for Florida voters to select the occupant of soon. Senate Joint Resolution 882, filed by Aaron Bean, proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution for direct election of Florida’s Secretary of State starting in the 2022 election. The Bean bill also would elevate the Secretary of State to a […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2017

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio‘s concerns regarding Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin took center stage in Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday when he grilled Rex Tillerson over whether the secretary of state nominee believes Putin is a war criminal, and whether he believes Putin was directly involved in cyber attacks to affect the 2016 American election. Tillerson […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 9, 2017

We all remember when presidential candidate Donald Trump stuck Republican opponent Marco Rubio with the label of “Little Marco.” It’s hard to say if that insult led directly to Trump’s sizable thumping of Rubio in the Florida primary, but it’s worth mentioning because “Little” Marco holds perhaps the biggest card in Trump’s push to confirm […]

Tag: Secretary of State

Jon Mills: Redemption

Mike Ertel named Secretary of State under Ron DeSantis

Mike Ertel being discussed as Secretary of State under Ron DeSantis

Jim Bonfiglio recount lawsuit ‘removed’ to federal court

Counties closing elections offices for hurricane get voter registration extension

Has Bobby Olszewski already won the HD 44 election?

Senate continues to roll bill making secretary of state an elected position

Aaron Bean revives bill proposing elected Secretary of State

Marco Rubio grills Rex Tillerson on Russia: Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?

‘Little’ Marco Rubio holds big cards in Rex Tillerson confirmation