Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 21, 2015

Although east Hillsborough County has been the graveyard for Democrats in legislative races for awhile, the party came awfully close in 2012 to winning the House District 59 seat. That’s when Gail Gottlieb fell just short of beating Republican Ross Spano for the open seat, ultimately losing 51-49 percent. The district covers Brandon, Riverview and Valrico. […]

Gary FineoutJuly 20, 2015

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature, dealing with the fallout of a sharply critical decision by the state’s highest court, will hold a nearly two-week Special Session in August to draw up new congressional districts. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner announced Monday that they’re summoning legislators back to Tallahassee to respond to the court. […]

Mitch PerryJuly 14, 2015

Tuesday’s nuclear announcement between the U.S. and Iran will be the big story of the day and throughout the rest of the summer in Washington. Once the proposal is sent to Congress, the clock begins, with the House and Senate having 60 days to tear the thing apart, which they’re already doing. Once they reject […]

Mitch PerryJuly 13, 2015

There has been nary a word said by any of Florida’s legislative leaders since the Florida Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Legislature’s redrawing of eight congressional districts in 2012 was unconstitutional, and ordered them to be redrawn within the next 100 days. While the GOP leadership contemplates their next move, Tampa Democratic House member […]

Ryan RayJuly 10, 2015

Speaker of the House Steve Crisafulli has endorsed Rep. Tom Goodson in central Brevard County-based HD 51, the term-limited Crisafulli’s home district, according to a Friday news release. Goodson now represents a sliver of Brevard in his HD 50 seat, but had to establish residence in Titusville after 2011 House redistricting removed his home base in Rockledge […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

Orange County classroom teacher Sean Ashby announced his intention to seek the House District 50 seat in east central Florida to be vacated by Rep. Tom Goodson, who is switching districts. Ashby will face current HD 49 Rep. Rene Plasencia, who has filed for the Republican-leaning seat to avoid being bounced after one term, like his […]

Ryan RayJune 30, 2015

For the second time this month, Rep. Kathleen Passidomo received plaudits from the Florida Bar. The Trial Lawyers Section gave the Naples Republican its “Legislator of the Year” award on Tuesday, honoring the third-term representative for her work in revising the state’s guardianship laws to protect Florida’s elders from financial exploitation. “I am humbled by this honor […]

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2015

When House Speaker Steve Crisafulli abruptly called on the Florida House of Representatives to depart Tallahassee three days before the regularly scheduled legislative session was scheduled to conclude in late April, he angered many Floridians, including Senate President Andy Gardiner. The division between the Florida House and Senate this spring prevented the Legislature from producing […]

Associated PressJune 27, 2015

Florida is getting its first female state auditor general. Sherrill Norman will be sworn in Wednesday as the state’s sixth Auditor General, a constitutional officer who serves as the state’s independent auditor. She will replace David Martin, who is retiring after nearly eight years. Norman will oversee 350 employees and a budget of more than $35 […]

Bob SparksJune 25, 2015

The Florida Senate and several communities hoping to receive state money for local projects or programs are unhappy. The public food fight between legislative chambers and the governor was an embarrassment that could have serious ramifications. A governor’s use of line-item veto authority is often likened to a surgeon conducting delicate surgery with a scalpel. […]

Tag: Steve Crisafulli

Hillsborough Democrat Naze Sahebzamani to take on Ross Spano in HD 59 race

Florida Legislature sets August dates to redraw congressional lines

Mitch Perry Report for 7.14.15 — Can Obama get 34 Senators to stay with him on Iran deal?

Janet Cruz blasts Steve Crisafulli, demands new redistricting be “totally open”

Speaker Steve Crisafulli endorses Tom Goodson in HD 51

Democrat Sean Ashby launches 2016 bid in HD 50 amid House seat-swapping

Trial Lawyers Bar honors Kathleen Passidomo as top legislator

Justice-2-Jesus’ Brian Pitts’ lawsuit calls for repealing every law passed this year because of Legislature’s premature exit

Florida to swear in first female state auditor general

Bob Sparks: 2015 leaves Florida Republicans in a dangerous place for 2016