Monday, December 15, 2014

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.


All of them?

"Jeb Bush to release 250k emails." See also "Why Jeb Bush Is Releasing a Giant Batch of E-Mails From His Years as Florida Governor." The reporter aptly points out that Jebbie was a "very conservative governor," but Jebbie of course sidesteps the observation.


Money rolling in

"When St. Augustine Republican John Thrasher left the Senate last month to become president of Florida State University, his departure created a domino effect that will lead to three special legislative elections in early 2015."

But it hasn’t taken long for campaign donors in Northeast Florida and Tallahassee to start pouring money into the races, newly filed finance reports show.
"Perhaps the best example is Palm Coast Republican Paul Renner, who moved to Flagler County after barely losing a Republican primary in August for a Jacksonville House seat. Renner is now running in another House district as he seeks to replace Rep. Travis Hutson, an Elkton Republican who is bidding for Thrasher’s Senate seat."
From Nov. 10 to Nov. 30, Renner collected $76,500 in contributions for the special election in House District 24, which includes Flagler and parts of St. Johns and Volusia counties. The new reports show Renner received money from some of the most-prominent donors from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach, including businessman Tom Petway, developer John Rood, lobbyist Marty Fiorentino and companies headed by developer Mori Hosseini.
"Special Election for House: Renner Hauls In $76,500. His Three Opponents Combined: $355".

Putting aside the massive disparity in this race, does money matter? "Who Wants to Buy a Politician?" But see: "The New York Times Downplays The Influence Of Money In Politics."


Will the Seminoles Unionize?

"Will the Seminoles Unionize their Florida Hard Rocks?."


Florida Reps In a Walk in 2016

"Pundits Don't Think Florida Congressional Reps Will Be Sweating in 2016."