Looks like Republican leaders are backing Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Ft. Lauderdale, over Rep. Carl Domino, R-Jupiter, in their battle for the GOP nomination to replace Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, in the state senate. Incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, have all come out behind Bogdanoff Score one more for the Victory Group. Matt Gaetz brought in the Victory Group to manage his bid to replace disgraced former House Speaker Ray Sansom. The Victory Group helped pull Gaetz over the top to win a closer than expected GOP primary for the open House seat. Gaetz faces the Democratic candidate, Jan Fernald who is an Air Force vet and a political newcomer, in the general election in April.
The Republican primary field to take U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balarts place in Congress is filling up quickly. While Diaz-Balart is moving over to run for the seat currently held by his brother Lincoln, Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, and University of Miami instructor Paul Crespo are already in the race. Sen. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, Senate Majority Leader Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, and congressional aide Carlos Curbelo are all considering jumping into the race Whats up will all these politicos from New England running for office in Florida? Former U.S. Sen. Bob Smith, who represented New Hampshire in Washington for 18 years, is running for the Republican U.S. Senate nod. Dennis Bradley, who ran for attorney general of Vermont back in 1978, is the Veterans Party candidate for the U.S. Senate. Luis Rivera, whose past includes stints as an aide to the governor of Puerto Rico and service as the public advocate of New Haven, CT, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House seat Diaz-Balart is leaving.
A rally opposing cuts to the NASA budget is scheduled April 11 at the Cocoa Expo in Viera. U.S. Rep. Bill Posey and Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp will be speaking. Organizers say they hope 5,000 Floridians attend. Later that week, President Barack Obama will be heading down to Florida to discuss the future of manned space flight Former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre had a busy weekend as he hit the campaign trail for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination. Ferre was honored at a Florida Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce event in Broward County on Saturday and served as the grand marshal of the Puerto Rican parade in OrlandoThe FAMU student summit being held on Sunday is bringing some big-name national figures. Cornell West and Ralph Nader will be speaking at the event ... Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri announced that she isseeking reelection. She will be facing a serious challenge in the Republican primary from former Rep. Ken Littlefield.
