Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonApril 3, 2017

If you don’t know Mike Moore yet, chances are you will soon enough. For now, he is content to be chairman of the Pasco County Commission, but former House Speaker Will Weatherford believes his friend and neighbor is destined for bigger things. “When you’ve been around politics and people as long as I have, you […]

Mitch PerryMarch 8, 2017

Not surprisingly, Donald Trump hasn’t been too keen on hiring those associated with the “Never Trump” movement of conservative policy who surfaced in last year’s presidential campaign. The most glaring example of this is the case of former State Department official Elliott Abrams. A meeting between the two last month reportedly went well, according to CNN. Ultimately, though, Trump opted not […]

Scott PowersFebruary 10, 2017

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Never mind who’s running for Governor in 2018, Floridians want to know which Republicans are in the running for Florida Chief Financial Officer now that CFO Jeff Atwater announced he is leaving this year, with speculation starting with Tom Grady, Tom Lee, Will Weatherford and Teresa Jacobs and including seven or eight others. Grady, a securities lawyer who is a former state representative who also has held several […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 31, 2016

Everyone expected Florida to play an important role in politics this year. And why wouldn’t they? Presidential hopefuls hailed from here; the state’s electoral votes were coveted; and its Senate race could have determined control of the U.S. Senate. But just like many predictions in 2016, some of the prophecies for Florida’s outsized role on […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 28, 2016

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam raised more than $2 million in 2016, boosting his war chest ahead of a likely 2018 gubernatorial bid. State records show Florida Grown, Putnam’s political committee, raised more than $2.3 million through Nov. 30. The committee has raised more than $6.3 million since February 2015, according to state campaign finance records. […]

Tom JacksonDecember 23, 2016

Like comedy, politics is most often all about timing. No one knows this better than Will Weatherford, who at the age of 26 rocketed from obscure legislative aide to Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives because of unanticipated, but perfectly placed, events (more about which in a moment). Now, arguably, this once-rising star of […]

Jim RosicaDecember 22, 2016

Former Senate President Don Gaetz said he respects Will Weatherford’s decision not to run for governor in 2018, but is “disappointed for Florida.” “I spoke with Will about his decision,” said Gaetz, who presided over the Senate in 2012-14 when Weatherford, a Wesley Chapel Republican, was House Speaker. “One of the attributes of Will Weatherford […]

Joe HendersonDecember 22, 2016

I think Will Weatherford’s just-announced decision not to run for governor in 2018 merely delays the inevitable. I believe he will be Florida’s governor eventually, and that will be a good thing. Weatherford, the Land O’Lakes Republican, is a smart, articulate, center-right conservative in the Jeb Bush tradition. He has a strong legislative resume, including […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 22, 2016

Will Weatherford is taking a pass on 2018. The former House Speaker said Thursday he won’t run for governor in two years, saying his role in the 2018 gubernatorial election “should be as a private citizen and not as a candidate.” “My focus right now is on raising my family, living out my faith, and […]

Scott PowersDecember 6, 2016

John Morgan has powerful split emotions about the prospect of running for governor in 2018 as a Democrat, and figures he has at least a year to decide. Morgan, the 60-year-old Orlando trial attorney who championed Florida’s Amendment 2 medical marijuana initiative this year, said others – not he – are pushing for him to run for […]

Tag: Will Weatherford
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Joe Henderson: Keep an eye on Mike Moore, a man on the move in Pasco

Could anti-Donald Trump quotes hurt Pat Neal’s chances of becoming CFO?

Jeff Atwater’s surprise departure makes CFO job the hottest in state

Infamous dates: The moments that shaped Florida politics in 2016

Adam Putnam political committee brings in more than $2.3 million in 2016

Will Weatherford’s timing off, but only for the moment

Don Gaetz is ‘saving his Rolodex’ for Will Weatherford

Will Weatherford’s decision enhances, not removes, future options

Will Weatherford opts out of 2018 gubernatorial bid

John Morgan torn on possible governor run, and in no hurry