Theres a new powerbroker behind Florida Republicans -- former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. Huckabee has moved to Florida and is playing an increasingly prominent role in the Sunshine States politics.
Despite his long friendship and political working relationship with Gov. Charlie Crist, U.S. Sen. George LeMieux has made it clear he is staying within the Republican Party. LeMieux has ripped into President Barack Obamas response to the spill in the Gulf and has backed GOP candidate Marco Rubio for the U.S.
Adding more drama to an already colorful election, Lawton Bud Chiles III, son of a Florida political legend who served three terms in the U.S. Senate and two terms as governor, announced Thursday he was leaving the Democratic Party and launching a gubernatorial campaign with no party affiliation.
With U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam vacating his congressional seat to run for commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, a three-way race is shaping up as a serious challenger to the Democrats and Republicans has emerged on the Tea Party line.
The 12th Congressional District contains most of Polk County but also portions of Osceola County as well as the eastern part of Hillsborough County. Bartow, Brandon, Lakeland, Plant City and Winter Haven all fall in the district.
Bud Chiles, the son of Florida political legend and longtime U.S. Sen. and Gov. Lawton Chiles, is set to make announcement in Tallahassee on Thursday about his political future -- with rumors swirling that he intends to run for governor in the Democratic primary or, possibly, with no party affiliation.
If he does announce, Chiles will join an inordinately long line of politically strong families in recent years who have charmed Sunshine State voters into keeping the dynasty going:
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.
On Tuesday, the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) endorsed Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, for state CFO and Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam to serve as commissioner of agriculture and consumer services--but did not endorse any candidates for governor or attorney general.
Virtually the entire political class of Florida's leadership wishes you and yours a happy Memorial Day and wants you to honor the men and women who lost their lives in the country's defense. Here are some of their voices:
With almost 500 years of recorded history, Florida history buffs have a number of excellent books to read this Memorial Day to honor the soldiers and sailors who fought, and in some cases died, for the country.
There are also some excellent books on the Florida campaigns during the Revolutionary War, when the British and the Americans battled for control of East Florida.
Looking to honor the Memorial Day holiday this weekend while still treating yourself to a good time? Look no further -- we've got your answers.
