Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jacob OglesJanuary 6, 2019

Former Agriculture Commissioner candidate Baxter Troutman faces new accusations by wife Rebecca of aggravated assault and domestic battery. Arrest records with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office detail a tumultuous and sometimes violent home life for the Troutmans over ten years of marriage, despite the couple during the course of his campaign insisting their home life […]

Bill RuftyMay 15, 2018

Former Circuit Judge Robert Doyel, a Winter Haven Democrat and candidate for Senate District 22, is receiving what no other Polk County Democrat has received in more than two decades: support from his state party. No Democrat from Polk County — the historic home of three Democratic governors and four U.S. Senators along with one […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2018

Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a complaint against the non-profit charged “with renovating and operating The Ritz Theatre in downtown Winter Haven,” her office said in a press release Tuesday. The Ritz Theatre 100, Inc. was named as defendant, as was Stella C. Heath, its executive director. “The complaint alleges that misconduct and mismanagement by the […]

Scott PowersMay 31, 2017

Two Polk County airports, in Lake Wales and Winter Haven, have won federal grants for improvements, the office U.S. Sen. Darren Soto announced Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Authority awarded grants of of $82,851 apiece to the Lake Wales Municipal Airport and the Winter Haven’s Gilbert Airport. The Lake Wales Municipal Airport grant will pay for rehabilitation of […]

Scott PowersApril 24, 2017

A second Republican candidate, political newcomer, banker and veteran Sean A. Buchan of Winter Haven, has entered the race for Florida’s 9th Congressional District. Buchan, 31, a banker with Wells Fargo Bank in Winter Haven, filed to run late last week, joining last year’s GOP nominee Wayne Liebnitzky of St. Cloud in hoping to take down […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 7, 2017

The Democratic Women’s Club of East Polk County will sponsor a walk and rally at Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland 5-6:30 p.m., Sunday, which it says is to emphasize women’s and social rights. Karen Welzel, president of the club, said the rally followed by the march around the lake is “to give a voice to […]

Bill RuftyFebruary 13, 2016

Hopes that the Florida Legislature would give the city of Winter Haven enough money to buy the unused Nora Mayo Hall from the state are gone for this year. The reason is a lack of support from Gov. Rick Scott, members of the Polk County Legislative Delegation said. Although the purchase won’t happen this year […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 20, 2016

Ed Smith has gathered enough petition signatures to qualify for the House District 41 race, the Bartow Republican announced Wednesday. “The campaign has got momentum,” Smith said. “I thank everyone who signed a card for me and I have enjoyed meeting new friends along the way.” The former Winter Haven police officer is the first […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 12, 2016

The state of Florida is sitting on a building it cannot sell, but won’t give it to a local municipality which says it needs it. In his final year in the Florida House due to term limits, Winter Haven Republican Rep. John Wood said he and members of the Polk County delegation will be fighting […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 6, 2016

Polk County business leaders and legislators are readying for a possible end run around the Florida Department of Transportation’s decision to postpone and perhaps even stop support for the Central Polk Parkway toll road … maybe a half-end run. Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican who has chaired the Central Polk Parkway Working Group […]

Tag: Winter Haven
Image via AP.

Baxter Troutman arrested for domestic battery, wife details years of abuse

Polk Democrat Robert Doyel gets the unthinkable: party support

Pam Bondi to fight for Winter Haven’s Ritz Theatre

Lake Wales, Winter Haven airports win federal grants

Sean Buchan of Winter Haven enters CD 9 Republican field

Polk County Democratic Women’s Club to host Lakeland walk, rally

State: No to Nora Mayo Hall … for now

Ed Smith submits enough signatures to qualify for HD 41 race

John Wood says state needs to let go of Nora Mayo Hall

Maybe Polk County will build a toll road, anyway