Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 20, 2016

Republican Senate District 15 candidate Peter Vivaldi has picked up an endorsement from the West Orange Political Alliance, the West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s political arm. “After meeting with the candidates in his race, Peter Vivaldi received a supermajority of our board’s votes, and we are happy to announce our support for his bid for […]

Scott PowersJune 8, 2016

The first three days of pre-qualifying for state Senate races in Central Florida show four of the 10 declared candidates in three races fell short of submitting enough valid signatures for the ballot by petition. So far, only an Aug. 30 Democratic primary in Senate District 11 would be assured, based on those candidates who appear to have enough […]

Scott PowersMay 11, 2016

Democrat Bob Healy, a political newcomer, raised more than $10,000 in campaign funds for his effort in Kissimmee-based Senate District 15 in April, outperforming two better-known political veterans, Democratic state Rep. Victor Torres and Republican Peter Vivaldi. Healy’s $10,114 April haul compared with $8,494 for Torres and $8,011 for Vivaldi, who didn’t enter the race […]

Drew WilsonMay 10, 2016

Republican Peter Vivaldi announced Tuesday that eight Central Florida lawmakers are backing his bid for the District 15 seat in the Florida Senate. “I am very honored and encouraged to have the support of so many members of our area’s delegation,” Vivaldi said. “They are all great conservative leaders, and I look forward to working […]

Scott PowersMay 5, 2016

Democratic state Rep. Victor Torres has qualified by petition to run in the Democratic primary in Senate District 15. Torres, a two-term state representative, is running in the district being vacated by state Sen. Darren Soto, who is running for Congress rather than re-election. Torres reported Thursday that on Wednesday county supervisors of elections had […]

Scott PowersApril 29, 2016

State Sen. Darren Soto missed a critical partisan floor vote in February because he went to Washington D.C. where he attended fundraising activities, but his U.S. Congress election campaign said Soto did so because he had a unique opportunity to discuss Puerto Rico with principal members of Congress. Soto’s Feb. 23 trip to Washington D.C., […]

Scott PowersApril 11, 2016

State Rep. Victor Torres raised $1,400 in March and his new Democratic primary opponent Bob Healy raised $3,160 in the Orlando-based Senate District 15 race. Torres, of Orlando enters April with a sizable campaign coffer advantage because he transferred all of his campaign money from his house re-election campaign, providing him with a total of […]

Scott PowersApril 7, 2016

Republican businessman and youth pastor Peter Vivaldi of Windermere has filed to run for the Florida Senate in the Orlando-based Senate District 15. Vivaldi, 54, said Thursday he decided to run after spending much of this past session of the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee advocating on issues ranging from education choice to religious freedom. Vivaldi […]

Drew WilsonMarch 28, 2016

Orlando Democrat Vic Torres will face a primary challenger in his campaign to move from the House to the newly redrawn Senate District 15 seat. Bob Healy Jr. filed for the seat at the end of February and is so far the only candidate challenging Torres for the Democratic-leaning seat. Healy is a former board […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2016

Democratic State Rep. Victor Torres filed Monday to run for the state Senate in the seat that would be vacated by state Sen. Darren Soto, and Torres’ daughter, Democrat Amy Mercado, filed to run to replace her father in the House of Representatives. Torres, completing his second term, was the first to file to run […]

Tag: Senate District 15

Peter Vivaldi nabs West Orange endorsement for SD 15 race

Six candidates submit petitions appearing to reach qualifying threshold in Central Florida senate races

Bob Healy out-raises Victor Torres, Peter Vivaldi in April in SD 15 race

Central Florida lawmakers back Peter Vivaldi in SD 15 race

Victor Torres qualifies by petition in SD 15 race

Darren Soto defends missed vote as opportunity to explore Puerto Rico crisis

Victor Torres, Bob Healy see slow fundraising March in Senate District 15

Republican Peter Vivaldi enters SD 15 race

Orlando Democrat Vic Torres draws primary challenge in SD 15 contest

Victor Torres files for state Senate; daughter Amy Mercado for his House seat

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.