Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 21, 2016

Naples Republican Francis Rooney isn’t ruling out a congressional bid. The former ambassador to the Holy See said Saturday “it would be premature” to say he was considering a run. However, he said he is researching his options and intends to make a decision about whether to mount a bid for Congressional District 19 in […]

Peter SchorschMay 21, 2016

Judging by the expression on her face, Lizbeth Benacquisto appeared genuinely surprised — and touched — by the standing ovation given to her by her colleagues in the Senate upon her return to the Florida Legislature. The date was April 23, 2014, and it was the day after Benacquisto finished second in the four-way Republican primary to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 27, 2016

Two years after resigning from office amid scandal, Trey Radel is penning a book. BuzzFeed reporter Andrew Kaczynski on Wednesday reported the former Fort Myers congressman is writing a book about his time in Congress. The book — which BuzzFeed reported is expected to be announced Wednesday by Blue Rider Press, the imprint of Penguin […]

Ryan RayAugust 25, 2015

Former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel had one hell of a 2013: He was sworn in as a member of the 133rd Congress in January, only to be arrested by federal authorities for attempting to buy cocaine from an undercover officer in October. But life goes on, right? Since then, writes Benny Johnson in the IJR Review, […]

Phil AmmannMay 12, 2015

U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson has endorsed Republican Byron Donalds for House District 80, the seat held by term-limited state Rep. Matt Hudson. Donalds is now running unopposed for the district that contains parts of Collier and Hendry counties. Hudson, a Naples Republican now speaker pro tempore, will be running for the state Senate. “Byron’s innovative […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 9, 2015

Unfinished business surrounds former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel’s exit from Congress this past year, namely $166,000 in cash left in campaign accounts. The Fort Myers Republican, who had one of the shortest stints ever for a congressional representative from Florida after his cocaine possession arrest in Washington D.C., released his most recent campaign report Jan […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 9, 2015

Unfinished business surrounds former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel’s exit from Congress this past year, namely $166,000 in cash left in campaign accounts. The Fort Myers Republican, who had one of the shortest stints ever for a congressional representative from Florida after his cocaine possession arrest in Washington D.C., released his most recent campaign report Jan […]

Guest AuthorDecember 3, 2013

Normally, if a person is convicted of a crime and goes into a drug rehabilitation program, he or she often must cope with harsh consequences. But not if you’re a congressman, or for that matter any elected official. Last month, Florida Congressman Trey Radel was arrested in a Washington D.C. sting operation and charged with […]

Peter SchorschNovember 25, 2013

From the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee to Charlie Crist’s waterfront condominium in St. Petersburg and from a cafeteria in a drug rehab facility to a Cracker Barrel in Wesley Chapel, politicians across Florida will gather around Thanksgiving dinner tables to celebrate the most American of holidays. Before they dig into dishes of Parmesan roasted Florida […]

Guest AuthorNovember 24, 2013

On the morning of Oct. 30, the Florida Department of Corrections told a legislative appropriations committee that it would need $58 million in the 2014-15 budget to meet the needs of a burgeoning prison population. Less than 12 hours earlier, Congressman Trey Radel, R-Ft. Myers, was caught purchasing cocaine from an undercover police officer in […]

Tag: Trey Radel

Naples Republican Francis Rooney not ruling out CD 19 bid

Curt Clawson is why we can’t have nice things

Report: Trey Radel to write book about time in Congress

How Trey Radel came back from being “The Cocaine Congressman”

Curt Clawson endorses GOP Byron Donalds in HD 80 race

Trey Radel’s unfinished business: $166K

Trey Radel's unfinished business: $166K

Steve Kurlander: Rep. Radel episode shows need for a political bullpen

Peter Schorsch: Florida politicians should be thankful for their good luck

Jeff Clemens: Radel was wise to buy his cocaine in D.C., not Florida