When U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that he was meeting with attorneys general from states impacted by the Gulf oil spill, one name was conspicuously absent: Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, the favorite for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. McCollum has taken on the Obama administration, suing the federal government over the health care laws that the president backed earlier in the yea r... Facing heavy criticism from McCollum about his past business dealings, health care executive Rick Scott, who is challenging the attorney general for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, has set up a website in response … Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack is praising Israel for its recent actions in stopping boats shipping supplies to Gaza. Mack said Israel should be commended for standing up for its security…
Former House Speaker Marco Rubio, the leading Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, is focusing on Broward County this week, with appearances in Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday … Broward County is also getting attention from Democratic candidates. CFO Alex Sink, the favorite for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, was there on Tuesday. So were two of the three leading Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate seat -- U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre … It’s been a busy week in the Republican battle for attorney general. Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp addressed the Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers while Holly Benson and Pam Bondi received attention from papers across the state …
Rep. Gwyn Clarke-Reed, D-Deerfield Beach, may have dodged a Republican challenger so far for the 2010 election cycle but she is facing a serious threat in the Democratic primary. In the three weeks he was in the race in the first quarter of 2010, Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Justin Flippen raised more funds than Clarke-Reed had in any quarter. Flippen has been raking in endorsements from local officials including heavyweights like Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parish, political organizations and former Rep. Tracy Stafford … SB 6 is clearly going to be an issue in the legislative races on the First Coast come November. Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, the chief sponsor of the measure to reform teacher performance pay, faces a primary challenge from dermatologist Charles Perniciaro, an opponent of the measure who changed his affiliation from the Democrats to the Republicans back in April. Democratic candidate Doug Courtney is also going to make SB 6 an issue in his challenge to Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine…
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown was touring the Gulf coast on Tuesday, inspecting the area damaged by the oil spill and seeing the after-effects from Hurricane Katrina … Based outside of Orlando, Full Sail University will be opening a new building this coming weekend and there will be politicians as well as celebrities there to celebrate. Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach and incoming Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, and Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty will be on hand…Former Sen. Steve Geller is apparently serious in his bid to knock off Broward County Commissioner Sue Gunzburger. While he owns a house in Cooper City, Geller is now renting a condo in Hollywood so he could be in Gunzburger’s district.
