While all eyes were on the presidential primary goings-on, two candidates dropped out of the GOP contest.

Mark Sharpe was prepared for the news Friday afternoon from Tallahassee.

By Adam C. Smith, Times Political Editor
Saturday, February 4, 2012

TAMPA — While most of the political world was still buzzing about Mitt Romney's overwhelming Florida primary win, Ashley Walker rose from her seat to address a room full of Florida field directors for the Barack Obama campaign gathered at the University of Tampa.

“I commit to you, that I will fight hard every day,” Mack told a crowd of more than 50 supporters gathered at Coconut Point mall between Pagelli’s and Hemingway’s Island Grill restaurants. “I’ll fight for th

His popularity among Hispanic Republicans was one of the reasons why the former Massachusetts governor was able to convincingly beat Newt Gingrich

By Ivan Penn, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 3, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Hoping the state would find out how Progress Energy botched an upgrade to a nuclear power plant that may never reopen?

Hoping to stop paying in advance for another nuclear plant that may never get built?

Don't count on it.

By Shelley Rossetter, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 3, 2012

TAMPA — More than a dozen senior White House officials and policy makers met with Hispanic leaders and community members in Tampa Friday to discuss issues affecting the area's Latino population.

Legislation that would clear the path for a pair of state water pollution rules supported by business, agriculture and utility interests won approval Friday from the Florida House. Some environmental groups, though, say the rules are too weak and prefer tougher federal standards.

State Sen. Jim Norman had a legal duty to disclose a $500,000 gift given to his wife by one of Norman's political supporters and did not do so, a prosecutor told members of the Florida Commission on Ethics today.

Florida legislative and congressional redistricting maps have cleared the state House.

By Steve Bousquet, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Friday, February 3, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge ruled Friday that four state legislators and two staff members cannot be compelled to give sworn testimony in a a major federal election law case.

By Kim Wilmath, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Friday, February 3, 2012

TALLLAHASSEE — Sen. Jim Norman's lawyer says he hopes a hearing today before the Florida Ethics Commission will be the "final nail in the coffin" in a controversy that has dogged Norman for more than a year — the gift of a half-million dollar house to Norman's wife by a prominent Hillsborough County businessman.

By Steve Bousquet, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Friday, February 3, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Commission on Ethics on Friday upheld a $5,000 fine and public censure and reprimand against Frank Peterman for travel abuses while he served as secretary of juvenile justice under former Gov. Charlie Crist. The panel's action came on a 4-3 vote after a lengthy discussion, during which a motion to dismiss the entire case against Peterman failed on a 4-3 vote.