Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 24, 2018

Central Floridians won’t get to see a gubernatorial debate Tuesday, but they can still hear directly from at least one of the five Democrats vying to succeed term-limited Gov. Rick Scott in the fall. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum said after the cancellation that he’d still be in Orlando to come Tuesday evening, and on Saturday […]

Scott PowersJune 22, 2018

The Orange County Democratic Party has canceled efforts to have a gubernatorial debate in Orlando next Tuesday because Philip Levine and Gwen Graham would not agree to participate. Orange County Democratic Chair Wes Hodge expressed regret over the last-week cancellation he announced Friday and that voters in Orange County “will not have the opportunity to hear from […]

Scott PowersJune 12, 2018

Republican state Rep. Mike Miller of Winter Park will not be attending the big Pulse remembrance ceremony in his Orlando district Tuesday night and instead will be holding a campaign fundraiser in Miami. Orange County Democratic Chair Wes Hodge called Miller’s move “reprehensible” Tuesday morning. The fundraiser is for Miller’s campaign to be elected to […]

Scott PowersOctober 23, 2017

Democrats are looking ahead to the 2018 Orange County elections thinking it might be the year they finally take over county government. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners and the mayor’s office are officially nonpartisan, but the two main parties in Orange County don’t see it that way. So while voters have the chance […]

Scott PowersAugust 25, 2017

A defiant and angry Paul Chandler declared Friday he has not withdrawn from the House District 44 special election and is weighing his options as he and the Democratic Party reach open warfare over the party’s wish to replace him. Chandler had said in a press release and on social media on Tuesday that he […]

Scott PowersAugust 24, 2017

As Orange County Democrats wait for the chance to name a replacement for Paul Chandler to run in the Oct. 10 special election to fill the House District 44 seat they may yet face a challenge on that candidate’s eligibility. On Thursday, at a forum hosted by the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida, the […]

Scott PowersAugust 24, 2017

As Democratic party officials await the chance to name a replacement candidate for the House District 44 special election in October, a candidate has filed to run for that seat when it’s up next year for a full term. Dawn Marie Antonis, 51, of Winter Garden, filed late Wednesday as a Democrat to run in […]

Scott PowersAugust 22, 2017

Ex-Democratic House District 44 candidate Paul Chandler said late Tuesday he had no intention of withdrawing from the race and was confident he could win both a legal challenge and the special election itself — until state party officials whom he said had never supported him threatened to sabotage his campaign if he didn’t quit. […]

Scott PowersJune 20, 2017

With the noon closing bell on ballot qualifying, House District 44 is left with four Republicans and one Democrat qualifying for a special election that could determine far more than who represents western Orange County in the Florida Legislature. The Republican primary election will be Aug. 15. The general election will be Oct. 10. This […]

Scott PowersApril 20, 2017

Republican state Sen. David Simmons sharply condemned racist and vulgar comments made earlier this week by state Sen. Frank Artiles. The behavior is nothing new, Simmons said, but he puts his faith in the Senate’s due process to determine a judgment by the body. Simmons, of Altamonte Springs, then suggested that Artiles’ behavior might be […]

Tag: Wes hodge
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Andrew Gillum announces details for Orlando town hall

Orlando Democratic guberatorial debate canceled

Mike Miller attending Miami fundraiser instead of Pulse ceremony in his district

Democrats eying possible takeover of Orange County in 2018

Paul Chandler not withdrawing from HD 44 special election, weighing options

Eligibility of Democrat for HD 44 special election might yet be challenged

Democrat Dawn Antonis files to run for HD 44 in 2018

Paul Chandler: I didn’t jump off HD 44 race, I was pushed

Four Republicans, one Democrat qualify to run in HD 44 special election

David Simmons condemns Frank Artiles comments; calls for due process, suggests PTSD might be factor