Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonDecember 19, 2018

The new year is nearly upon us, and that means it’s time to start fundraising for 2020 and the slate of special elections lined up for the Florida Legislature. Top Republican lawmakers plan to do just that. According to an invitation obtained by Florida Politics, Senate President Bill Galvano and House Speaker Jose Oliva will […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 17, 2018

Rep. Jackie Toledo filed legislation Monday that would make “distracted driving” a primary offense. The bill (HB 107) would apply to texting while driving and to talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving. Current law bans using a cell phone while driving as a secondary offense, which means law enforcement officers can […]

Michael MolineDecember 5, 2018

A gag order has been issued in the sexual harassment case brought against the Florida Senate by legislative aide Rachel Perrin Rogers, blocking attorneys and others from discussing the matter with the press. That’s according to Katie Betta, spokeswoman for the Senate, who said she was barred from even providing a copy of the order. “I am sorry, but pursuant […]

Michael MolineNovember 30, 2018

Attorneys for the Florida Senate and federal government agreed Friday to seek an expedited trip to a federal appeals court regarding its sovereign immunity defense against a legislative aide’s sexual harassment claim. That might ameliorate what an attorney for the chamber called the “distinct, irreparable harm” to its dignity as a legislative body forced to […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 27, 2018

Among the crop of early bills filed ahead of the 2019 Legislative Session is a push to prevent Floridians from talking and texting while operating a vehicle. State Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican, earlier this month filed legislation (SB 76) that would ban the use of handheld communications while driving. In the House, Boca […]

Staff ReportsNovember 27, 2018

Ashley Moody, the state’s Republican Attorney General-elect, named Sen. Wilton Simpson, Rep. Chris Sprowls and lobbyist Michael Corcoran to serve as co-chairs of her Inaugural Committee, she announced Tuesday. “The Inaugural Committee will be responsible for planning and executing the events surrounding the inauguration ceremony on Jan. 8,” she said in a press release. Simpson, a Trilby […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 26, 2018

The Tampa Bay region is well-represented in Tallahassee for the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session, at least in the Senate. Not only is Senate President Bill Galvano from the region — his district covers parts of southern Hillsborough County and Manatee County — but several other senators from the region have been posted to leadership positions. […]

Staff ReportsOctober 16, 2018

A federal judge has set a hearing for next Tuesday in the state Senate‘s lawsuit to put an end to an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigation into a top aide’s sexual harassment and retaliation claims. Rachel Perrin Rogers, chief assistant to Senate Republican Leader and future Senate President Wilton Simpson, says former Sen. Jack Latvala repeatedly groped her and made unwelcome comments about […]

Drew WilsonOctober 16, 2018

The Florida Retail Federation on Tuesday endorsed nine incumbent Republican state Senators and one incumbent Democrat for re-election in the fall. Making the trade association’s general election list were Republican Sens. Dennis Baxley, Aaron Bean, George Gainer, Tom Lee, Kathleen Passidomo, Keith Perry, Wilton Simpson, Kelli Stargel, and Dana Young, as well as Democratic Sen. […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 20, 2018

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Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young offloaded more than half of the cash available in her affiliated political committee last week with a single, $800,000 check to the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. Her committee, Friends of Dana Young, had $1.38 million in the bank on Sept. 7 but at the end of the reporting period […]

Tag: Wilton Simpson

Top Florida GOP lawmakers hosting annual Mardi Gras fundraiser Feb. 9

Jackie Toledo bill would make texting while driving a ’primary offense‘

Gag order issued in Rachel Perrin Rogers matter

No ruling in Rachel Perrin Rogers case before Monday

Fight to stop behind-the-wheel cellphone use will look different in 2019

Big names tapped to head Ashley Moody’s inaugural committee

Tampa Bay lawmakers get Senate committee leadership posts

State Senate now suing to stop federal harassment probe

Florida Retailers endorse 10 incumbent senators for re-election

Spending spree: Senators send back up to swelling GOP Senate fund