Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bob SparksMarch 11, 2015

Florida Republican legislators are waving the white flag. The fight seems to be over. Peace is at hand. After two insurrections against Republican National Committee (RNC) mandates covering presidential primary dates, the Florida House and Senate are poised to make a wise decision to cease hostilities. House Bill 7035 (and a companion Senate bill) paves […]

Guest AuthorMarch 3, 2015

There was a report recently that the Democratic Party, which is coming off a huge midterm defeat in the recent congressional elections, is doing some soul-searching. The Democratic National Committee released a preliminary report from its “Democratic Victory Task Force” outlining a number of steps to improve the party’s branding, messaging and outreach. It seems […]

Daniel TilsonMarch 1, 2015

As a Florida man “of a certain age” with a wife and two daughters, I’m sick and tired of pandering politicians putting so many of our beloved women at risk every year during the state’s 60-day legislative session. I’m fed up with ambitious elected ideologues and wannabes talking tough about protecting individual liberty and personal […]

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 2, 2015

Former lawmaker Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff is now a registered lobbyist. Bogdanoff registered last week to lobby with EBS Consulting in Fort Lauderdale. Eleven clients have signed with Bogdanoff since January. Lobbyist registration reports show they include Tampa Electric, Broward Principals and Administrative Assistants, Florida Association of Local Housing Finance Authorities, Florida East Coast Industries and […]

Guest AuthorDecember 17, 2014

We have known for the past 10 years that our government tortured prisoners in our war against terrorism. Our leaders told us that these were bad men, unworthy of the rights granted under the Geneva Convention. They claimed to have obtained valuable information that prevented further attacks, saved American lives and led to the killing […]

Martin DyckmanOctober 12, 2014

Whether to legalize marijuana for medical use — and with what conditions — are questions that should have been debated by the Legislature. There have been opportunities. But the profile most legislators display on such topics is not one of courage. Sports anglers encountered the same quicksand when they asked for restrictions on the massive […]

Guest AuthorAugust 12, 2014

It’s political season and candidates are telling us about their valuable education and experience in the military, business and government, all reasons we should make them our leaders. But I want someone who was part of a homeowners association. Not one of those suburban homeowner associations where they gather once a year to sip wine […]

Guest AuthorJuly 22, 2014

I believe in the radical notion that Congress should work. Congress should govern. And Congress should work more, not less. Republicans, Democrats and Independents in Congress should all have a part in the process. Each member, having been elected by their community of approximately 700,000, should have an opportunity to contribute to the legislative process […]

Martin DyckmanJune 23, 2014

Politicians have been known to crack jokes about elections that lacked for any candidates. That’s extremely rare, but it has happened. The likelier event is an election without voters, and there’s nothing funny about it. When qualifying for state offices closed in Florida last week, more than a third of the candidates for the Legislature […]

Guest AuthorJune 11, 2014

Reporters and political operatives breathlessly tell us almost daily what the polling numbers are in the all-important governor’s race. Interestingly, the numbers are always bouncing around — and they should. That’s because essentially what we are seeing in the collective sense are tracking polls that provide us with an almost daily barrage of numbers. Well-funded […]

Tag: senate
The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

Bob Sparks: Florida nears end of renegade primary era

Steve Kurlander: Mission Impossible for Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Daniel Tilson: Florida men can't let Legislature overpower women

Ellyn Bogdanoff joins Tallahassee lobbying corps

Rick Outzen: The lunacy of torture

Martin Dyckman: Vote for Crist if you want much-needed constitutional reform

Mark O’Brien: If you think Congress is tough, try serving on a condo board

David Jolly: Congress should spend more days in session

Martin Dyckman: Gerrymandering, campaign money killing Florida elections

Barney Bishop: If Crist is governor, expect to see D.C. antics in Tallahassee