Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersFebruary 3, 2017

The social fallout from Puerto Rico’s multi-fasceted financial crisis must be dealt with in more immediate ways in Central Florida where so much of the diaspora is fleeing, a panel of scholars urged key Puerto Rican political leaders in Orlando Friday. Their call for concern for recognizing, assisting, and empowering Puerto Ricans settling by the […]

Scott PowersJanuary 26, 2017

Concerned that there are under-the-radar problems with teen children abusing parents, state Rep. Amy Mercado is seeking to create a parent abuse reporting system that could give the parents some of the same protections the state extends to children being abused by parents. Mercado, an Orlando Democrat, filed House Bill 431 this week, aiming to […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 25, 2017

Carlos Guillermo Smith, a UCF graduate himself, wants you to have more access to higher education – that’s why his new bill, HB 489, introduces sweeping expansions to the Bright Futures scholarship. The bill, called the “Restore Our Bright Futures” act, will return the scholarship to the levels of the 2010-11 school year and make […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 17, 2017

In front of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio‘s office Tuesday morning, Sen. Victor Torres and Reps. Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith called on Rubio to protect the state’s immigrant population – especially those not here legally. Their message was that time is of the essence – now that the Donald Trump administration is just days away […]

Scott PowersNovember 30, 2016

Billionaire New York Democratic campaign financier George Soros‘s interest topped $1.7 million in Central Florida politics and $1.8 million statewide this year as he financed independent campaigns that helped three Democrats win local or state legislative races while three others he backed lost. Soros’ biggest investment came early, backing Aramis Ayala to the tune of $1.38 […]

Scott PowersNovember 21, 2016

As they prepare for the 2017 Legislative Session, Central Florida lawmakers are looking out for help for the emerging Advanced Manufacturing Research Center in Osceola County, the demise of the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in Lake Nona, and I-4 throughout the region. Those are things almost everyone in Central Florida’s delegation is examining. […]

Larry GriffinNovember 8, 2016

The race for Senate District 15 pitted Victor Torres against Peter Vivaldi, and Torres, a Democrat, came out on top. Torres won with 56 percent of the vote to Vivaldi’s 44 percent. Torres was at odds with Vivaldi’s conservatism, with Vivaldi, a youth minister, being strongly opposed to abortion and picking up a slew of endorsements […]

Scott PowersOctober 10, 2016

Democratic state Rep. Victor Torres‘s bid for a promotion to Florida Senate District 15 is getting the financial blessing of several big Orlando business interests, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Torres, who is facing Republican Peter Vivaldi, received thousands of dollars in the last two weeks of September from interests representing the Walt […]

Scott PowersSeptember 6, 2016

If campaign money is any measure, eight of the 17 contested Florida Senate seats appear competitive this fall, according to data gathered, compiled and provided by On 3 Public Relations of Tallahassee on Tuesday. That’s after 13 senators were elected either in the Aug. 30 primary or before because of lack of competition, and that’s not counting 10 other […]

Scott PowersAugust 30, 2016

State Rep. Victor Torres has held off a challenge from a Kissimmee businessman to win the Democratic primary for Florida’s Senate District 15. “The people did it,” Torres said Tuesday night. “They came out to vote. Big numbers. I am most heartily grateful to them [especially] with this weather.” A retired police detective and bus […]

Tag: Victor Torres

Puerto Rico crisis panel brings it home to Florida

Amy Mercado, Victor Torres seek ‘parent abuse’ reporting system

Carlos Guillermo Smith’s ‘Restore Our Bright Futures’ act aims to help more students go to college

Central Florida House members call on Marco Rubio to protect illegal immigrants

George Soros spends $1.8 million in Florida local races; backs four winners, two losers

Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, I-4, Sanford Burnham, water quality, Pulse, on Central Florida lawmakers’ minds

Victor Torres defeats Peter Vivaldi to win Senate District 15 seat

Labor, tourism, citrus money coming in for Victor Torres in SD 15 race

Few state Senate races are financially competitive

Victor Torres cruises to victory in SD 15 Democratic primary