Tampa’s Pam Bondi Goes to Bat for Adam Putnam

With less than six weeks to go until the primary, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi went to bat for state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Bondi appeared at an event in Winter Park with Putnam on Thursday and talked about her experience working with him in the state Cabinet.

Donald Trump Jr. praises Ron DeSantis in Orlando for backing his dad

Donald Trump Jr. campaigned for U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis in Orlando on Wednesday, reminding a group of supporters that DeSantis was one of his father's earliest backers. "Ron DeSantis here, from day one, he got it," said Trump Jr., head of the trust that controls the Trump Organization, speaking to a crowd of about 300 at B.B. King's on International Drive.

Florida attorney general race pits establishment candidates against newcomers

In the race to replace Attorney General Pam Bondi , both the Republican and Democratic primaries feature an establishment-backed candidate facing a challenge from a rival seeking to ride a groundswell of support to victory. On the GOP side, Tampa-area judge Ashley Moody has received Bondi's endorsement, along with the backing of other top Florida Republican leaders, including most of the GOP sheriffs in the state.

Sen. Marco Rubio Endorses Matt Caldwell

Representative Matt Caldwell today received the endorsement of Senator Marco Rubio in his bid for Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Marco Rubio said, "As the most conservative candidate in the race for Commissioner of Agriculture, Matt Caldwell has been an unwavering supporter of the Second Amendment, consistently voted to cut taxes and reduce the size of government, and is a staunch supporter of the right-to-life.

International scam bilks Florida mayor’s political committee for $120,000

One of Mayor Lenny Curry's political committees squandered about $120,000 last year by falling victim to an elaborate phone scam that police detectives traced back to Nigeria, according to reports from a Sarasota County Sheriff's Office investigation that included help from the U.S. Secret Service. In May 2017, Eric Robinson - a Sarasota County School Board member and an accountant well known for representing Florida Republican political committees, including Curry's - wired $119,797 from one of Curry's main political committees, Build Something that Lasts, to four different addresses ranging from Wyoming and Ohio to Missouri.

Florida Democrats Ban Private-Prison Donations, but Emails Show Internal Pushback

At a gala fundraiser for the Florida Democratic Party in Hollywood on Sunday, party leaders including Chair Terrie Rizzo stood onstage and repeatedly condemned the Trump Administration for imprisoning immigrant children at detention facilities across the country. But when a group of activists proposed a ban on all political donations from the private-prison companies who profit off Trump's policies, a small but influential minority of old-guard party officials fought back and nearly succeeded in killing the measure.

Florida’s Brightline trains could run from Miami to Tampa

Florida's Brightline trains could run from Miami to Tampa Brightline on Friday announced it is getting serious about a long-discussed Orlando-to-Tampa extension. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2tmUiO9 Brightline president Mike Reininger introduces the first of five Brightline trains that will offer high-speed service between Miami and Orlando at the company's operations facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Jan. 11, 2017.

Gov. Scott: Privately built Orlando to Tampa high speed rail in works

Gov. Rick Scott , who rejected $2.4 billion in federal funding for a high-speed train from Orlando to Tampa as one of his first acts in office, revealed Friday that a similar but privately funded project is on the table. The Florida Department of Transportation received an unsolicited proposal in March from Brightline to lease right of way and build a high-speed rail line connecting Orlando and Tampa along Interstate 4. Brightline already is building a rail line from Miami to Orlando, with a terminus at Orlando International Airport.

Democratic Black Caucus of Florida endorses Mayor Gillum

He also mentioned his status as the 'only non-millionaire Democrat' in the primary and how it makes him more relatable to those casting ballots. "One of my opponents is 11,000 times wealthier than I am, but I think I am in good company," said Gillum.

Why Florida Democrats can’t count on the so-called ‘black vote’

Florida's midterm Senate election is a race to watch this November - and not just because it will be a tight match pitting a sitting governor, Republican Rick Scott, against a sitting senator, Democrat Bill Nelson. But my research on minority politics in the South shows that it is time to re-examine old assumptions about Florida's so-called "black vote."

Florida is ‘ground zero’ to win House, Democratic chair Tom Perez says

Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez, second from right, holds a roundtable with Democratic officials including U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, right, and Florida Democratic Chair Terrie Rizzo, third from right, at the Carpenters' union building in Orlando, May 30, 2018 Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez, second from right, holds a roundtable with Democratic officials including U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, right, and Florida Democratic Chair Terrie Rizzo, third from right, at the Carpenters' union building in Orlando, May 30, 2018 Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez heard impassioned pleas from party officials about issues ranging from housing to health care at a roundtable in Orlando on Wednesday.

Florida Democrats Holding “I Will Vote” Weekend of Action

With less than 100 days until the August 28th primary, Florida Democrats are coming together this Memorial Day weekend for an "I Will Vote" weekend of action, with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and FDP hosting joint "Nelson's Neighbors" events across the state. The weekend of action marks a kick-off to a summer of activism, where Democrats are committed to registering thousands of Floridians to vote-by-mail, knocking on doors in all 67 counties, registering thousands of new voters and communicating in new ways about our candidates.

Controversial conservative from Ocala wants South Florida voters to dump Ted Deutch

Javier Manjarres is seeking the Republican nomination to run for Congress in Florida's 22nd District. Five Republicans - including a far-right, polarizing state lawmaker - from conservative parts of the state have a message for South Florida voters: get rid of U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch , the Democrat who represents most of Broward and southeastern Palm Beach counties.