Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 20, 2016

Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan has endorsed Rep. Mike Hill in his bid for Senate District 1. “I’m proud to endorse Mike Hill as our next State Senator. Mike has demonstrated his commitment to our shared conservative values and his principle as a conservative reformer,” said Morgan in a statement Wednesday. “As the only candidate […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 20, 2016

Jayer Williamson is jumping into the state House District 3 race. Williamson, a Santa Rosa County commissioner, announced on Facebook that he plans to run in 2016. Williamson had previously expected to run for the seat in 2018. Williamson said Rep. Jeff Miller’s decision to retire from Congress “created a domino effect in Northwest Florida.” That […]

Drew WilsonDecember 10, 2015

Republican Bay County Commissioner George Gainer passed Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz in fundraising in October, and the gap between the two Senate District 1 candidates got a bit wider last month, according to recently filed campaign finance reports. Gainer posted $42,285 in November contributions and spent $57,313, leaving him with $557,747 on-hand heading into December. […]

Drew WilsonNovember 9, 2015

After a six-figure haul in October Republican George Gainer has passed Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz in on-hand money in the race for Senate District 1. The Gainer campaign brought in $118,590 last month and spent $46,887, leaving the Bay County Commissioner with just under $573,000 cash on-hand heading into November. Gaetz’s report wasn’t as […]

Phil AmmannNovember 6, 2015

George Gainer doesn’t talk about Northwest Florida values. He lives them. That’s the gist of the latest mailing from the North Florida businessman, who faces state Rep. Matt Gaetz in the Republican Senate District 1 primary. The ad, set to hit area mailboxes next week, strives to heat up the battle for conservatives by hitting […]

Drew WilsonNovember 3, 2015

Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz released a new ad Tuesday that trumpets his role in passing tougher penalties on sex offenders in 2014. “I’m Matt Gaetz, and I’ll always fight to protect our kids,” the Senate District 1 candidate said in the video. “The system was broken, so I led the fight to fix it,” […]

Phil AmmannOctober 28, 2015

Bay County Commissioner George Gainer pushed back hard on accusations he is “standing alone in the mirror” for his Florida Senate District 1 campaign. As proof, the Northwest Florida Republican hosted a major fundraiser, attended by what supporters call a “who’s who” of Bay County business, civic and political leaders. Gainer faces state Rep. Matt Gaetz […]

Drew WilsonOctober 2, 2015

Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz built a sizable war chest for his Senate District 1 campaign over the last two years, but that advantage evaporated after challenger George Gainer cut a $500,000 check to his own campaign. The Bay County commissioner filed for the seat on Sept. 8 after months of rumors he would enter the […]

Matthew IsbellJune 29, 2015

Florida’s western Panhandle has not been exactly known as a hotbed of electoral campaigns during recent election cycles. The region stretching from Pensacola to Panama City is steadfastly Republican in registration and in electoral dominance. GOP primaries decide most fights in the region, and incumbency has ensured few contentious primaries outside of local offices. The region is […]

Tag: Senate District 1
Donald Trump. Image via AP.

Escambia Sheriff David Morgan endorses Mike Hill in SD 1 race

Jayer Williamson to run for House District 3 in 2016

Matt Gaetz falls behind as George Gainer widens fundraising gap in SD 1 race

After October haul, George Gainer passes Matt Gaetz in on-hand cash for SD 1 race

Direct mail roundup: George Gainer doesn’t talk NW Florida values, he lives them

Matt Gaetz ad boasts role in “fixing” penalties for sex offenders

Matt Gaetz opponent George Gainer holds major SD 1 funder, proves he isn’t “standing alone in the mirror”

Matt Gaetz SD 1 money lead evaporates after opponent cuts $500K check

Family matters: excitement builds for western Panhandle primary