Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJuly 22, 2016

From the start, Wayne Harris, a Republican running for Matt Gaetz’s House District 4 seat, has strutted his conservative credentials. A recent mailer to voters in HD 4 even boasts Harris as an “Emerald Coast tax cutter.” But after a closer look, it becomes increasingly difficult to describe Harris in those terms, especially compared to the […]

Peter SchorschJuly 19, 2016

An invitation to a fundraiser for several legislative candidates has some wondering if it’s part of a larger drama surrounding three Republicans’ ambitions to serve as Florida House Speaker. Billed as an “Evening with Florida Republican House Candidates,” the event is slated for Aug. 11 in Orlando. The invitation to the event is emblazoned with the logos of nine GOP […]

Drew WilsonMarch 14, 2016

Republican House District 4 candidate Wayne Harris said Monday that his campaign passed the six-figure mark with more than $15,000 in February contributions. “Our campaign’s momentum continues to grow, and we are so grateful for the folks who want to be a part of taking our conservative values to Tallahassee,” Harris said. “I look forward […]

Drew WilsonDecember 18, 2015

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder says he will give up his local office to become a full-time candidate for the Florida House District 4 seat. Ponder originally planned to step down in June, which would have put the election for his successor on the August ballot. However, he will leave his job Jan. 15 instead. The […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2015

Three of five Republicans running for House District 4 posted strong September fundraising numbers, with Wayne Harris still hanging on to a five-figure lead he built when he was the only candidate in the race. Harris has collected a little over $40,000 in contributions since he filed for the seat held by exiting Rep. Matt Gaetz in […]

Phil AmmannAugust 27, 2015

Local entrepreneur Jay Woodbury is endorsing Republican candidate Wayne Harris in his bid for House District 4, citing a strong support of Second Amendment rights for his decision. An Okaloosa County Commissioner, Harris is running for the seat being vacated in 2016 by state Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is seeking to replace his father, state […]

Ryan RayAugust 18, 2015

Niceville businessman Jonathan Tallman announced on Monday he will seek the open seat in HD 4, currently held by Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is leaving to run for the state Senate. Tallman, 27, is a financial advisor and owner of the The Tallman Group. He sits on the Okaloosa Restore Act Advisory Committee and the board of […]

Phil AmmannAugust 12, 2015

Citing leadership skills and conservative credentials, former State Rep. Don Brown announced his endorsement of Wayne Harris for House District 4. Brown, a DeFuniak Springs property insurance expert, is well-known in Panhandle Republican politics. He has held a variety GOP leadership roles, including state representative and Walton County commissioner. Harris is the Okaloosa County commissioner running […]

Drew WilsonAugust 3, 2015

A third Republican has filed to run for the District 4 House seat being vacated by Fort Walton Beach Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is eyeing his father’s Senate seat in the 2016 cycle. Destin Mayor Mel Ponder said Monday he’s running for the seat, hitting small government and conservative values that play well in the Panhandle districts. “It […]

Ryan RayJune 22, 2015

As ever in the term limits era, the makeup of the Republican House majority is set to shift in terms of personnel, if not necessarily in degree of dominance. As the very House-inflected Rep. Matt Gaetz seeks to take over his father Sen. Don Gaetz‘s spot in the Legislature’s upper chamber, a Walton County commissioner has […]

Tag: Wayne Harris

HD 4 hopeful Wayne Harris might call himself ‘tax cutter,’ but he is anything but

No, these are not House candidates pledged to Randy Fine’s (unofficial) bid for Speaker

Wayne Harris adds $15K to pass 6-figure mark in HD 4 race

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder to give up seat for HD 4 run

Wayne Harris hangs on to fundraising lead in five-way HD 4 race

Panhandle businessman endorses Wayne Harris for HD 4, citing 2nd Amendment support

Niceville businessman Jonathan Tallman announces bid for HD 4

Former state Rep. Don Brown endorses Wayne Harris in House District 4 race

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder files to succeed Matt Gaetz in HD 4

Amid legislative turnover, new House candidates reach for safe GOP seats