Topic: House Races

Political consultant Marc Reichelderfer denies ever colluding with Republican legislative leaders to draw new districts but admits that he had access to proposed maps before they were released to the public. He says he did not warn the House and Senate leadership of trouble spots or areas of opportunity, if they moved lines one way or another.

Former Orlando-area Rep. Eric Eisnaugle won a special election this week and on Wednesday, accompanied by his wife and children, staged a triumphant return to the Florida House of Representatives. Read more ...

A trend in recent years is for the Legislature to preempt local government; that is take authority out of the hands of city and county governments to make policy decisions and give it to Tallahassee. Perry said the Sun is misrepresenting his intent and when people talk about home rule they need to put the term in context.

AHCA's chief regulator of assisted living facilities leaves the agency for a lobbying group which has opposed new ALF regulations, DEP hires a communication director and Gov. Scott beefs up his campaign staff.

Gov. Rick Scott opened the 2014 legislative session by telling lawmakers that the state has recovered from the recession but that "we have more work left to do." While he spoke more than a hundred protesters filled the rotunda separating the House and Senate chambers.

During the January 2014 campaign finance reporting period, Gov. Rick Scott led the pack in contributions with $734,000 to his campaign and $3.4 million to his PAC. Incumbent Cabinet members also had impressive hauls. Read more ...

The NAACP and the incoming leader of House Democrats call the attempt to purge non-citizens from voter registration rolls either a "fool's errand" or a malicious attempt to suppress minority turnout.

House Speaker Will Weatherford made three new appointments to committees to replace Rep. Steve Precourt, who resigned his seat Thursday. Gov. Rick Scott also announced dates for a special election to fill his seat. ... Related Research: Jan. 9, 2014 "Precourt officially resigns House seat"

Latvala-Rodrigues bill means members must really live in their districts. It proposes criteria for legally proving whether an elected officer is dodging residency requirements.

The Orlando Republican will leave his seat to take the executive director position at the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority. ... Related Research: Jan. 9, 2014 Statement by House Speaker Will Weatherford, and Jan. 7, 2014 Statement by Rep. Steve Precourt.

Political junkies who focus on Florida anticipate this type of year. As the governor, Cabinet, all eligible state House members and half the Senate make their cases to stay in office, their opposition will pitch how they'd do a better job. It will be a year of promises and debate, mudslinging and outrage, and likely stratospheric sums spent on campaigns. So here's a look at the Sunshine State's political calendar for the coming year.

League of Women Voters, which is involved in a lawsuit against the Legislature on the issue, expresses skepticism about legislative leaders' explanations. House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, denies that legislative leaders "thwarted the law and destroyed documents." ... Related Research: Dec. 18, 2013 Statement by House Speaker Will Weatherford, and Dec. 18, 2013 Statement by League of Women Voters of Florida.

Eleven months out from the November 2014 elections, incumbents are padding their campaign accounts, but Republicans looking to retake seats lost in the 2012 election cycle posted impressive cash hauls last month.

A memo from House Rules and Calendar Committee Chairman Rob Schenck suggests a sparse schedule for House committee meetings next month, but the Senate expects a full slate of meetings. ... Related Research: Memo from Rules Chair Rob Schenck re: December Committee Meetings, and Committee Assignments for Rep. Amanda Murphy during the 2013-14 Legislative Session.