Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannDecember 5, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round in the Florida Senate. Off and on: Andrew Liebert and Jae Williams became legislative assistants, and Karen Whaley became district secretary for Republican Sen. Ben Albritton of Bartow. Williams previously worked for former Sen. Denise Grimsley. Whaley worked with […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 7, 2018

Floridians failed to support Amendment 1, which would have increased the state’s homestead exemption by $25,000. Thus far, the proposal is poised to receive less than 60 percent support, meaning it will not meet the threshold needed to pass. It was the only one out of 12 amendments on the ballot to not break the three-fifths threshold. […]

Drew WilsonOctober 16, 2018

The Florida Retail Federation on Tuesday endorsed nine incumbent Republican state Senators and one incumbent Democrat for re-election in the fall. Making the trade association’s general election list were Republican Sens. Dennis Baxley, Aaron Bean, George Gainer, Tom Lee, Kathleen Passidomo, Keith Perry, Wilton Simpson, Kelli Stargel, and Dana Young, as well as Democratic Sen. […]

Jacob OglesOctober 4, 2018

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Democratic state Senate candidate Kathy Lewis says it stunned her to see Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller on a host committee for her opponent, incumbent Tom Lee. “It’s one thing to not be for me,” Lewis said, “but he’s actively working against another person in his own party.” For his part, Miller says his relationship […]

Jacob OglesSeptember 24, 2018

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Faith Olivia Babis and Kathy Lewis attended the same conferences for advocates for the disabled before either became a political candidate. Now the two hope to join forces in the state Senate. They face long odds — both Democrats running in heavily Republican districts — but a challenge never stopped these women before. “People tell me […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 16, 2018

State Senate President Bill Galvano, Majority Leader Wilton Simpson and Fort Myers Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto will be in Tampa next Friday to help four area Senate candidates boost their campaign accounts ahead of the November general election. The Sept. 17 event will be held in the Snowy Egret Room on the second floor of the […]

Michael MolineAugust 6, 2018

Tom Lee is psyching himself up for another term in the Florida Senate. “I was pretty much resolved to step away for a little while, and get on with some business and try to help my son get through high school,” the Thonotosassa Republican (and Senate President in 2004-06) said last week. After considering runs for […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

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The state has filed a notice of appeal to a circuit judge’s decision that a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing is “defective” and can’t go on the ballot. Edward M. Wenger, the state’s chief deputy solicitor general, filed notice (posted at bottom) Thursday afternoon — one day after Circuit Judge Karen Gievers ruled […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

‘Don’t give up,’ supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing are telling volunteers. A Tallahassee judge on Wednesday ruled that Amendment 13 shouldn’t go on the November ballot, calling it “outright ‘trickeration‘ ” — which opponents have since turned into a social media hashtag and rallying cry. Among other things, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ 27-page order said the amendment’s […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

Saying it “hide(s) the ball” and calling it “outright ‘trickeration,’ ” a Tallahassee judge has ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing shouldn’t go on the November ballot. But in a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi – who supports a dog-racing ban – said her office “will appeal this decision immediately and seek […]

Tag: Tom Lee

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round (Senate version)

Voters reject homestead exemption-raising Amendment 1

Florida Retailers endorse 10 incumbent senators for re-election

Kathy Lewis irked at Les Miller for promoting Tom Lee’s campaign

Enabled, not disabled: Candidates run to raise disability rights awareness

Top Senate Republicans raising cash for Tampa Bay candidates on Monday

Tom Lee says he’s looking forward to leadership change in Senate

State appeals decision to keep dog-racing ban off ballot

Dog-racing ban supporters say they’re still ‘full steam ahead’

Judge strikes down dog-racing ban, calling it ‘outright trickeration’