Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeAugust 21, 2018

Jeff Greene announced late Monday that he’s putting $5 million into a committee to help Florida Democrats in other races. The Palm Beach billionaire is following through with an earlier campaign promise. He announced publicly in a July gubernatorial debate that he’d help elect Democrats down the ballot. The money will flow through the Florida […]

Drew WilsonAugust 1, 2018

Democratic state Sen. Gary Farmer’s words are coming back to bite him. As first reported by Florida Politics in March, Farmer and Democratic Sen. Lauren Book were the top two names in contention to succeed current Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson, but things went sideways in the Democratic caucus and Farmer made some sexist remarks […]

Ana CeballosMarch 10, 2018

After state Sen. Gary Farmer came under fire for saying state Sen. Lauren Book’s family responsibilities may be too much to balance if she was chosen as the Senate Democratic Leader-designate, he apologized. “I recognize that I failed to properly express my thoughts about the difficulties that a Caucus leadership role can play for any […]

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 26, 2018

Gun control activists didn’t get everything they wanted in the firearm safety proposals released Friday, but they aren’t giving up without a fight. Calling the Legislature’s safety plan a “band-aid” and saying the proposed measures don’t “go far enough,” Democratic lawmakers announced on Monday that they had filed amendments to the plan — including one that […]

Peter SchorschMay 10, 2016

Is state Sen. Dwight Bullard the first casualty of the redistricting wars? And is Sen. Oscar Braynon turning his back on him? There were rumors that Senate Democrats were ultimately (deliberately or unknowingly — we do not know yet) sacrificing minorities during their battle for redistricting. But did anyone know or predict he would pick […]

Scott PowersApril 20, 2016

Florida’s senior U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and other Senate Democrats on Tuesday urged immediate action by Congress to fund efforts to stop the Zika virus and accused Republicans of playing politics with the looming crisis. Nelson, joined by Sens. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, held a national telephone press conference Tuesday at which […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2016

After passage of a tax package and budget that snubs Gov. Rick Scott, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner said Friday afternoon lawmakers had “declared their independence” from an overbearing executive branch. “The 2016 Legislative Session may well go down in the history books as the year Florida lawmakers formally declared their independence from Governor Scott,” said Joyner, who […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

After a fire alarm delayed the start of Wednesday’s meeting by almost half an hour, the Senate Democratic caucus finally got down to the task at hand: opposing Republican-sponsored legislation, particularly an energy exploration bill that has environmentalists up in arms. The caucus members were united in their resistance to a bill they said would preempt […]

Ryan RayFebruary 23, 2016

The Senate Democratic caucus met Tuesday morning to strategize before a busy legislative day in Tallahassee, where Minority Leader Sen. Arthenia Joyner led her caucus through discussions on a handful of controversial bills set to be taken up later in the day. Of particular interest to Joyner was the Sen. Tom Lee-sponsored alimony bill, SB 250. Joyner advised members to […]

Ryan RayOctober 14, 2015

Sen. Arthenia Joyner didn’t mean it in a good way when she said recent actions taken by Gov. Rick Scott and her GOP colleagues in the statehouse represented “just another day in Tallahassee.” After taking to the rostrum to the tune of Aretha Franklin‘s “Respect,” Joyner heaped criticism on the governor and legislative leaders for “grand abdications of the […]

Tag: Senate Democrats

Jeff Greene pledges $5 million for down-ballot races

New ads slam Gary Farmer as ‘sexist’ and ‘obnoxious’

Gary Farmer apologizes for taking ’emotional’ jab at Lauren Book

Democrats propose assault weapons ban for Legislature’s gun package

Is Dwight Bullard the latest casualty of the redistricting wars?

Bill Nelson and Senate Democrats call for urgent funding of Zika fight

Top Democrat says lawmakers “declared independence” from Rick Scott by rebuffing priorities

Senate Democrats huddle up to oppose fracking bill

Senate Democrats strategize ahead of busy legislative day

Senate Democratic leader rips into Rick Scott, state GOP leadership