Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Mitch PerryDecember 5, 2016

Rick Scott is declining to comment on a proposal filed for the 2017 Florida Legislative Session that would repeal a major immigration policy change that he signed into law two years ago. Last week, Sarasota state Senator Greg Steube filed a bill (SB 82) that would repeal legislation approved by the GOP-led Legislature in 2014 that offers lower […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 17, 2016

Jacksonville’s Carlucci family is inextricably linked with Jacksonville history. Joe Carlucci was a councilman from the days of consolidation. Matt Carlucci carried on the family’s tradition of public service, serving three terms on the council, including a stint as president. Now Carlucci is the chairman of the Florida Commission on Ethics. Yet his time there is nearing an […]

Mitch PerryOctober 28, 2016

Emphasizing her centrist political persona while addressing a packed restaurant in South Tampa Friday morning, Gwen Graham said her potential candidacy for governor of Florida in 2018 would be a “transcending of the politics” that currently exists today. “I have heard from so many people who say ‘you’re exactly what the state of Florida needs,'” Graham said at […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 30, 2016

Reggie-Fullwood-after-casting-his-vote.-phote-credit-Jeff-Branch-1024x1024.jpg

When State Rep. Reggie Fullwood pleaded guilty to two felony counts in his wire fraud trial Thursday, there were some in Jacksonville who might have been surprised by the Democratic stalwart’s fate. Clearly, those observers didn’t know Jacksonville. Fullwood’s guilty plea was more notable for being in the midst of his re-election campaign than it […]

Tom JacksonSeptember 13, 2016

Whatever else we might be tempted to say in the aftermath of last month’s recent primary election, for those who live and/or work in Pasco County, this, above all, is beyond dispute: Pasco is Mike Fasano’s county. Everyone else is just visiting. Who but Fasano, the nudging, empathetic, perpetually beatifying champion of the “little guy […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 12, 2016

Kathy Mears, who served as chief of staff to two consecutive Florida House speakers, will become the new top in-house lobbyist for Florida State University. Mears, who confirmed her hiring Monday, said she will take the new role of chief legislative affairs officer. She starts Sept. 19. Mears was chief of staff to Republican House […]

Peter SchorschAugust 29, 2016

TALLAHASSEE — Two years after Hillary Clinton became the nation’s first female president, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham has become the second woman to win a major party’s nomination for Florida governor. Graham, an attorney and daughter of former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, held off her two Democratic rivals in a spirited primary election. Graham now faces former state House Speaker Will Weatherford in November. […]

Tag: Will Weatherford
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 6/16/25-Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, talks with the media before session Monday at the Capitol in Tallahassee. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

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

Rick Scott declines to comment on proposal to repeal immigration bill he signed in 2014

Matt Carlucci ‘seriously considering’ another run for Jacksonville City Council

Gwen Graham says she’s poised to run a 67-county strategy for governor

Why Duval Democrats may retain Reggie Fullwood’s seat despite his guilty plea

Tom Jackson: In Pasco, all roads lead to Mike Fasano

Personnel note: Kathy Mears heading to FSU

The story from a primary election day in the not-too-distant future