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 1, 2016

New campaign finance reports are in and Democrats are still holding strong in two of Orlando’s three Senate seats, though Republican Realtor Dean Asher is still in a strong position in the Senate District 13 race. Asher added another $25,000 to his campaign account and spent just $5,500, leaving him with a little over $92,000 […]

Staff ReportsOctober 25, 2016

There’s a strong possibility Democrats could sweep all three Orlando Senate seats, though Republican Dean Asher is still far ahead in the Senate District 13 money race. The Orlando Realtor brought in another $11,250 between Oct. 8 and Oct. 14 and spent about $69,000, leaving his campaign with about $73,000 on hand. His committee, “Allegiant […]

Peter SchorschAugust 28, 2016

The final campaign finance reports before Florida’s Aug. 30 Primary Election are in and Victor Torres, Randolph Bracy, and Mike Clelland have held on to their leads in Central Florida’s Senate seats. Clelland is facing fellow former Rep. Linda Stewart and Rick Roach in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 13, and he was able to raise another $83,775 across his campaign and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 3, 2016

The endorsements keep coming. The Florida Retail Federation announced it was backing state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto in her re-election bid. The endorsement was one of several the state’s retail trade association announced Wednesday. The association also endorsed Reps. Brad Drake, Tom Goodson and Rene Plasencia. “Retail is such an important industry in the success of […]

Scott PowersJuly 11, 2016

State Rep. Rene Plasencia got a warning sign Saturday night that his bid to return for another term in the Florida House from District 50 may be in jeopardy when he lost decidedly to challenger George Collins in a straw poll at the Brevard County Republican Executive Committee. “I’ve been working Brevard very hard. Most […]

Scott PowersJuly 7, 2016

The National Federation of Independent Business announced its endorsements in Central Florida’s Florida House and Senate races Thursday, backing all Republicans, and all incumbents. However, the group, which is Florida’s largest small-business association, did not offer endorsements in all races. The NFIB endorsed Dean Asher in Senate District 13. Asher has won the nomination and […]

Peter SchorschJune 17, 2016

The frontrunners in many Central Florida legislative races piled on more money last month, with several candidates holding six-figure leads five months out from Election Day. In Senate District 13, the most competitive race among Orange County’s Senate seats, former Democratic Rep. Mike Clelland is trouncing the other two Democrats in the race with more […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2016

The 2018 Legislative Session could be starting early under a new proposal OK’d by lawmakers and heading to Gov. Rick Scott. The bill (SB 7076) passed the House Tuesday on a 89-28 vote. It moves the start of the 2018 session up to January. In odd-number years, the state constitution requires the Legislature to begin on the first […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 15, 2016

With the entry of businessman and veteran Chadwick Hardee last week, Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia is now facing a three-way primary race as he looks to shift over to House District 50, covering parts of Brevard and Orange counties. Hardee had been thinking about a run in HD 50 last year, but opted to drop out after Plasencia […]

Tag: Tom Goodson

Republicans win two Brevard County races

Here’s where the money chase stands in Orlando’s legislative races

Here’s where sh*t stands in Orlando’s legislative races

Central Florida legislative fundraising leaders stay ahead in days before primary

Florida Retail Federation endorses Lizbeth Benacquisto

George Collins tops Rene Plasencia in Brevard straw poll

Small business group makes endorsements in CF House, Senate races

Where s**t stands in Central Florida legislative races

Legislature could start early again in 2018

Businessman Chadwick Hardee jumps into HD 50 GOP primary