Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 9, 2016

A North Florida state Senate race is pulling in big money. Keith Perry and Rod Smith have raised a combined $712,000 in Senate District 8. The race pits two well-known commodities against one another in the November general election. State records show Perry, a state representative since 2010, raised $16,760 between July 23 and July […]

Drew WilsonJuly 14, 2016

The Rod Smith campaign released its third ad in the Senate District 8 campaign Thursday, and this one takes direct aim at his opponent, Republican Rep. Keith Perry. “In North Central Florida, our economy and way of life depend on safe water,” Smith says in the ad. “My opponent Keith Perry voted to ignore local […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 10, 2016

Rod Smith posted another strong fundraising month, his campaign announced Friday. The Alacuha Democrat raised $168,695 in May. Smith raised $52,695 for his campaign fund, and an another $116,000 was raised by “Independent Leadership for Florida,” the political committee backing Smith’s Senate District 8 bid. “I appreciate the continued support from people across North Central […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 9, 2016

Rod Smith raised more than $170,000 in April, his campaign announced on Monday. The campaign announced Smith raised $171,625 in the one-month fundraising period. Of that sum, $87,375 went into his personal campaign account. The remaining $84,250 was given to Independent Leadership for Florida, the political committee supporting Smith’s election. The April numbers boost the […]

Staff ReportsApril 7, 2016

Former State Attorney and State Senator Rod Smith raised $282,985 in his first month of his Senate District 8 campaign. In a statement Thursday, Smith’s campaign called the response a “massive outpouring” of bipartisan support. The figures include $150,485 contributed to his personal campaign account, and another $132,500 to Independent Leadership for Florida, the political […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 29, 2016

Standing in front of the Alachua County Court House Monday former state Sen. Rod Smith teased a “major announcement” for Tuesday morning, almost certainly his entry into the race for the newly redrawn Senate District 8. The Gainesville lawyer and former Florida Democratic Party chairman would be the second candidate in the contest, joining Gainesville Republican […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 25, 2016

Republican Rep. Keith Perry announced Thursday he would forego his final term in the House and run for the newly redrawn Senate District 8 seat. “It really has been an honor to work for you in the Florida House. I’m proud to have helped cut taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars, and because of […]

Tag: Senate District 8
Buccaneers QB Teddy Bridgewater. Image via AP.

Keith Perry, Rod Smith bring in big money in SD 8 race

Rod Smith drops 3rd ad in SD 8, taking direct aim at Keith Perry

Rod Smith raises $168K in May for SD 8 bid

Democrat Rod Smith raises more than $171K in April

Rod Smith raises nearly $283K in first month of SD 8 campaign

Rod Smith teases “major announcement”; likely entering SD 8 race

Keith Perry announces SD 8 run