Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonApril 22, 2016

Republican House District 52 candidate Brian Hodgers picked up the support Friday from construction industry trade group Associated Builders and Contractors. “I am honored to have the endorsement of ABC Florida,” said Hodgers. “The building industry is so important to our state and ABC’s commitment to free enterprise lines up perfectly with my values. I […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 12, 2016

The end of the 2016 legislative session last month can only mean one thing — election season is coming. Campaign finance reports were due to the state on Monday. The March fundraising reports show that more than two dozen candidates for the Florida House have more than $100,000 in cash on hand, and several candidates raised […]

Phil AmmannApril 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: Amanda Cogan has stepped down as district secretary for Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. On: Lisa Goodson is Gaetz’s new district secretary. Off and on: Kevin Reilly has left the job of deputy staff director […]

Peter SchorschMarch 30, 2016

Three months after new congressional and Florida Senate maps shook up the landscape, some of Central Florida’s House races are starting to crystalize, though there’s still plenty of drama left for the fall. House Districts 25, 27 and 48 are all open due to Senate and congressional aspirations, and clear frontrunners have emerged in at least two of those […]

Jim RosicaMarch 24, 2016

Because of differences between federal and state campaign finance laws, Mike Haridopolos can use money left over from his failed U.S. Senate bid to run for state Senate, but Matt Gaetz, who switched from a state Senate seat to a congressional bid, is out of luck. Haridopolos, a Merritt Island Republican and former Senate President, is […]

Drew WilsonMarch 14, 2016

Brian Hodgers increased his lead over the other three Republicans running for House District 52 with $6,750 in contributions last month. “Our conservative message is hitting a nerve in our community, and I’m very grateful for the folks who want to be part of our campaign,” Hodgers said in a news release. “I look forward […]

Staff ReportsMarch 6, 2016

Politicians throughout Florida responded to Sunday’s report of the death of Nancy Reagan at the age of 95. Reactions come from federal, state, and local Republican elected officials. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who has described himself as among the “children of the (Ronald) Reagan Revolution,” tweeted his condolences, writing that “today our nation mourns the loss […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 24, 2016

A Senate committee passed a bill Wednesday to create a list of first-time misdemeanors that would lead to civil citations instead of arrests for youths under 16 years of age. The legislation, sponsored by Rockledge Republican Thad Altman (SB 408), would in most cases lead to civil citations instead of arrests. Juveniles would be diverted to perform community […]

Ryan RayFebruary 22, 2016

Florida lawmakers continued to dabble in foreign policy on Monday, when a Senate panel unanimously passed a bill calling for an authorization of force against Al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups in Iraq and the Levant. The Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security approved SB 1710 by Sen. Greg Evers, which calls on Congress for […]

William MarchFebruary 15, 2016

Environmental groups contend that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature is again snubbing voters who want the state to purchase conservation land. They contend the budget proposals the Legislature is now developing violate Amendment 1, passed overwhelmingly in 2014, directing that a third of the revenue from documentary stamp taxes on real estate transactions go to buy […]

Tag: Thad Altman

Brian Hodgers gets nod from Associated Builders and Contractors in HD 52 race

Dozens of candidates have raised $100,000 or more for their House races

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Here’s where sh*t stands in Central Florida’s state House races

Campaign finance laws can help or hinder candidates, like Matt Gaetz or Mike Haridopolos, switching races

Brian Hodgers widens fundraising lead in HD 52 race

Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, other Florida politicians react to Nancy Reagan’s death

Juvenile citation bill advances in Senate

Senate panel OKs call for “use of military force” against ISIL

Groups upset with legislators over land conservation