Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonOctober 4, 2018

The Florida Conservation Voters Action Fund said Wednesday that it’s putting $250,000 behind a digital ad campaign supporting the Democrats challenging Gainesville Sen. Keith Perry and St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes in the fall. The ad supporting Gainesville Democrat Kayser Enneking’s campaign in Senate District 8 hits Perry for his “disastrous ‘toilet to tap’ bill.” […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 19, 2018

Incumbent Republican Sen. Keith Perry has a big lead over Democratic challenger Kayser Enneking in the race for Gainesville-based Senate District 8. According to a new survey from St. Pete Polls, Perry currently has 49 percent support compared to just 38 percent support for Enneking. Former Gainesville City Commissioner Charles Goston, who lost his re-election […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 18, 2018

Gainesville voters will decide in November whether to change the governance of their municipal utility and Sen. Keith Perry, a Gainesville Republican, has been using advertising – some say deceptively – in a push to get the measure passed. The utility, Gainesville Regional Utilities, is currently under the control of the Gainesville City Commission, but the referendum […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 12, 2018

Incoming Senate President Bill Galvano will host a fundraiser for Gainesville Republican Sen. Keith Perry in Tallahassee next week. The Sept. 20 reception will be held at the Florida Retail Federation office, 226 S. Adams St., from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Making the host committee alongside Senate Appropriations Chair Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 4, 2018

Gainesville Democrats held a press conference at City Hall on Tuesday afternoon where they lambasted Republican gubernatorial nominee Ron DeSantis’ record of voting against health care protections during his three terms in Congress. Alachua County Democratic Party Executive Committee Chair Cynthia Chestnut, Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe, City Commissioner David Arreola, Florida’s 3rd Congressional District nominee Yvonne Hayes Hinson […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 4, 2018

a-Rep.-Ben-Albritton_0-Large-e1554751782360.png

Wauchula Republican state Rep. Ben Albritton is in good position to ascend to the state Senate in the fall and has started putting some of the cash he’s amassed in his affiliated political committee to the most vulnerable incumbent Republicans in the 40-member chamber. Albritton’s committee, Advancing Florida Agriculture, has raised nearly $400,000 since he […]

Drew WilsonAugust 29, 2018

The Democratic primary battle between Kayser Enneking and Olysha Magruder in Alachua County-based Senate District 8 went from a snooze fest to a thriller in the blink of an eye. When all was said and done, Enneking walked away with an 18-point victory. “I am thrilled and humbled by the support I have received from […]

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 […]

Tag: Senate District 8
Secretary of State Marco Rubio/ Image via AP.

Environmental group launches ad buy supporting Kayser Enneking, Lindsay Cross

Keith Perry has double-digit lead over Kayser Enneking in SD 8

Keith Perry under fire for Facebook ads on Gainesville utility

Bill Galvano helping Keith Perry raise re-election cash in Tallahassee

Gainesville Democrats hit Ron DeSantis’ healthcare record

Ben Albritton sends backup to embattled GOP state Senators

Kayser Enneking trounces Olysha Magruder in SD 8 Democratic primary

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