Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Terry RoenNovember 8, 2016

Republicans won handily two Brevard County races for state House seats. House District 51 Republican Tom Goodson won the HD 51 seat in Brevard County. He received 50,163 votes, or 60 percent, over Democrat Mike Blake’s 33,971, or 40 percent of the vote. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, who currently represents District 51, could not seek re-election […]

Peter SchorschNovember 5, 2016

House members hoping to get money in the 2017-18 budget will be asked to file a bill for every appropriations request they make. That change is one of several to be coming down the pike as part of new House rules, according to sources close to incoming Speaker Richard Corcoran, who will announce the new rules to […]

Peter SchorschOctober 31, 2016

In both life and politics, the only thing that’s constant is change. While elections give voters a view of the future, it also provides some retiring politicians a chance to look back. As two influential Florida lawmakers say their goodbyes — former Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli — they reflect on changes, and legislative successes, during […]

Phil AmmannOctober 11, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Mary Kassabaum is no longer legislative assistant for Trilby Republican state Sen. Wilton Simpson. Off: Caroline Crow is no longer district secretary for Rockledge Republican state Sen. Thad Altman. On: Matthew Hunter is returning as legislative assistant for Fort […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 3, 2016

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli suspended Reggie Fullwood Monday in a terse one-paragraph letter, bringing an ignominious end to his political career. “As you are guilty of a felony,” Crisafulli writes, “you are suspended immediately.” Fullwood is not entitled to pay for the rest of his term. He also has to close his intraoffice expense account and return funds […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 30, 2016

In the classic tradition of politics in Florida, some big news developed during Happy Hour on Friday. A day after pleading guilty to federal fraud charges, Reggie Fullwood filed a letter Friday with Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner saying he is no longer a candidate in House District 13. Fullwood’s withdrawal, said the letter, was “effective immediately,” to “permit […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 14, 2016

Outgoing Florida Speaker of the House Steve Crisafulli penned an opinion piece yesterday slamming Hillary Clinton‘s now-infamous “basket of deplorables” phrase to describe half of Donald Trump‘s supporters. “By calling so many of our nation’s citizens ‘deplorable’ haters and racists and the other half too stupid to make their own decisions about who should be our next president, […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 13, 2016

On Tuesday, Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli blasted Hillary Clinton over her untimely reference to half of Donald Trump‘s supporters as a “basket of deplorables.” The long-form Crisafulli response — billed as an op-ed by the Trump campaign — offers one more piece of evidence that Trump and his surrogates will use Clinton’s pejorative as a way to rally the […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 12, 2016

Kathy Mears, who served as chief of staff to two consecutive Florida House speakers, will become the new top in-house lobbyist for Florida State University. Mears, who confirmed her hiring Monday, said she will take the new role of chief legislative affairs officer. She starts Sept. 19. Mears was chief of staff to Republican House […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 30, 2016

Rep. Debbie Mayfield came out on top in Senate District 17. According to unofficial election results, Mayfield received 42 percent of the vote. She defeated Rep. Ritch Workman, who received 35 percent. The race was one of the nastiest in this election cycle. Outside political committees poured thousands upon thousands of dollars into the race, […]

Tag: Steve Crisafulli
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Republicans win two Brevard County races

Incoming Speaker Richard Corcoran to propose dramatic changes to House appropriations process

Don Gaetz, Steve Crisafulli reminisce on politics, legislative successes in heartfelt farewells

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

After being suspended from State House, Reggie Fullwood resigns

Resigning from House, Reggie Fullwood withdraws from HD 13 race

Mitch Perry Report for 9.14.16 — Steve Crisafulli goes there

Steve Crisafulli blasts Hillary Clinton on ‘basket of deplorables’ comment

Personnel note: Kathy Mears heading to FSU

Debbie Mayfield defeats Ritch Workman in SD 17