Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 1, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday set the dates for elections to fill House District 58, recently vacated by GOP state Rep. Dan Raulerson, who stepped down for health reasons. Scott signed an executive order setting Oct. 10 for the primary election and Dec. 19 for the general election. Raulerson’s resignation is effective Aug. 15, meaning the […]

Scott PowersAugust 1, 2017

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More than 2,000 absentee ballots already have been returned in the upcoming special Republican primary election for House District 44 in west Orange County. The office of Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles reported Tuesday afternoon that 7,175 absentee ballots have been requested and mailed out for the contest, and 2,063 already have been […]

Scott PowersJuly 31, 2017

The House District 44 Republican primary is boiling, as John Newstreet responded to a shadow group’s attack ads with a Facebook Live video decrying them as “not true” and his campaign blamed rival Bobby Olszewski, who denied involvement and disavowed such politics. The ruckus is over mailers and an internet site sponsored by a new […]

Drew WilsonJuly 31, 2017

An Orlando-based political committee hammered Republican House candidate John Newstreet with a mailer that headed to HD 44 mailboxes this week. The direct mail campaign attempts to brand the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce CEO as an “Osceola Liberal” who supports amnesty for illegal immigrants and backs the DREAM Act. The mailers, sent out by […]

Scott PowersJuly 31, 2017

Two well-connected west Orange County suburban mayors have withdrawn their support for Bobby Olszewski in the upcoming Republican special election primary for House District 44, over his support for term limits for local elections. Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn and Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson announced in an open letter this morning that they are withdrawing their […]

Staff ReportsJuly 25, 2017

Dan Raulerson is resigning from the Florida House. The Tampa Bay Times reported Tuesday that the Plant City Republican has announced he will resign his seat effective Aug. 15. The announcement, according to the report, comes about a month after he made public comments critical of House leadership. Raulerson had back surgery, which kept him […]

Scott PowersJuly 17, 2017

Republican Bruno Portigliatti has launched his first TV commercial of the House District 44 campaign, an introductory spot declaring, “Now, you know Bruno.” The spot is airing on the Fox News channel on the Spectrum cable network in Orlando. “Do you know Bruno?” the playful spot begins, followed by Portigliatti himself smiling, almost laughing, responding, […]

Scott PowersJuly 14, 2017

Republican House District 44 candidate John Newstreet dismissed questions Friday about whether he actually lives in the district, and for how long, seeking to end a whisper campaign that publicly surfaced during a debate Thursday. At the West Orange County Republican Women’s Club debate Thursday Newstreet fielded a question about whether he truly was an […]

Scott PowersJuly 13, 2017

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Updated: Late Thursday John Newstreet issued a statement saying he misspoke about his views on Obamacare, saying he inadvertently reversed the numbers 80 percent and 20 percent when referring to the good and bad. The four Republicans seeking to win the Aug. 15 primary for the open Florida House District 44 seat in Orange County […]

Scott PowersJuly 12, 2017

The four Republicans fighting to win the Aug. 15 primary for the empty seat in Florida’s House District 44 began defining their differences in their second major debate, Wednesday night. In a forum cosponsored by the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida and Business Force, Bruno Portigliatti, Bobby Olszewski, John Newstreet, and Dr. Usha Jain […]

Tag: special election
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Image via Visit Florida.

Election dates set for Dan Raulerson’s House seat

HD 44 Republican primary votes coming in

John Newstreet’s campaign blames Bobby Olszewski for ‘liberal Newstreet’ attack ads; Olszewski denies involvement

Direct mail round-up: John Newstreet branded as ‘Osceola Liberal’

Two west Orange County mayors yank support for Bobby Olszewski in HD 44 race

Report: Dan Raulerson resigning from Florida House in August

Bruno Portigliatti out with first TV spot of HD 44 special election

John Newstreet defends residency in, commitment to House District 44

HD 44 Republicans offer differing views on Obamacare

HD 44 special election Republicans distinguish themselves on self-portrayals