Elections

Orlando Area News

Orlando attorney John Morgan wants NBA stars Grant Hill and Dwyane Wade to run for Senate in Florida

It’s unlikely either athlete would win the race, but this might be Wade’s moment

By Chloe Greenberg

May 9, 2023

Florida Democrats and political donors are anticipating the 2024 race for Florida state senator — and they're going down an unconventional path to do so. Orlando attorney and longtime Democratic donor John Morgan wants NBA stars Grant Hill and Dwyane Wade to run against U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in 2024's race...

Former Orlando Magic player Grant Hill

Controversial elections bill ensures Gov. DeSantis won’t have to ‘resign to run’ for president

'I see different characters but the same objective, and that’s to make sure that only certain people vote.'

By Dara Kam, News Service of Florida
Apr 27, 2023
Orlando’s former Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith announces bid for Florida Senate in 2024

He’s running for the seat currently held by Sen. Linda Stewart, who’s term-limited from seeking re-election to office.

By McKenna Schueler
Apr 10, 2023
Amendment to make school board races partisan could go to Florida voters in 2024

If the amendment passes, partisan school-board races would begin in 2026

By News Service of Florida
Mar 15, 2023
Ron DeSantis’ friends gave him $10 million in February, for no particular reason

One guy from Pennsylvania gave $2.5 million to the governor's political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis

By News Service of Florida
Mar 13, 2023
DeSantis, in Iowa, says Republicans’ focus on woke will help win elections

He was there on his book tour — not campaigning, honest

By Robin Opsahl and Florida Phoenix
Mar 13, 2023
‘The divisiveness is over’: Nikki Fried wants to end years of losses as new Florida Democratic Party chair

Fried will oversee a party that has struggled with finances, voter-registration efforts and lost traction among Hispanic voters.

By Jim Turner, NSF
Feb 27, 2023
Florida Republicans consider changes to ‘Save Our Home’ tax cap, leading to concerns counties may cut services

The proposal will be considered during the legislative season that begins March 7

By Jim Turner, the News Service of Florida
Feb 16, 2023
Civil rights leader Al Sharpton and others led march to the Capitol after Florida rejected African American studies course

Sharpton also called for a voter drive to oppose Gov. DeSantis

By Ryan Dailey, NSF
Feb 15, 2023
Florida takes a first step toward introducing partisan school-board elections, limit on member terms

Florida's Constitution currently requires school-board races to be nonpartisan

By Ryan Dailey, NSF
Feb 15, 2023
DOJ will not charge Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz after years-long sex-trafficking investigation

By Chloe Greenberg
Feb 15, 2023
Gov. DeSantis hints at cutting ties with College Board, getting rid of AP classes in Florida

Tensions went public when Florida objected AP African American studies topics

By Ryan Dailey, NSF
Feb 14, 2023
Despite pleas, Florida boards of medicine vote to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth

'You don’t protect the children by removing health care from those same children.'

By Dara Kam, News Service of Florida
Feb 13, 2023
Florida legislature gives DeSantis permission and a budget to transport migrants out of state to so-called ‘sanctuary’ areas

House Democrats called the measure a ‘political ploy’ to help DeSantis

By Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida
Feb 10, 2023
Florida High School Athletic Association removes questions about menstruation from physical evaluations

'There is absolutely no reason for the FHSAA to collect such private information.'

By Ryan Dailey, NSF
Feb 9, 2023
Florida Senate passes Gov. DeSantis’ bills for migrant flight program and election fraud prosecution

‘Fiscal conservative, small government, this is not.’

By Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida
Feb 9, 2023
Orange County’s longest serving Election Supervisor, Bill Cowles, will not seek re-election

‘It has been the role of a lifetime to be trusted by the citizens of Orange County,’ Cowles said.

By Chloe Greenberg
Feb 8, 2023
Florida Sen. Kathleen Passidomo’s ‘Live Local Act’ focuses on increased development, bars local rent control

The Senate Community Affairs Committee unanimously backed the wide-ranging bill

By Jim Turner, NSF
Feb 8, 2023
Beyoncé's BeyGOOD Foundation awards grant to Orlando voting-rights group Equal Ground

By Matthew Moyer
Feb 7, 2023
Florida lawmakers back bill to fund DeSantis’ migrant flight program

The committee also approved $1.565 million already spent on relocation flights

By Jim Saunders, NSF
Feb 7, 2023
Federal judge rules against DeSantis’ request for minors to undergo mental examinations in transgender coverage lawsuit

The state failed to show the need to subject children to the two-hour evaluations

By Dara Kam, News Service of Florida
Feb 7, 2023
Under new proposal, Disney’s Reedy Creek would be renamed, and DeSantis would handpick its board

The bill is expected to be heard Wednesday by the House State Affairs Committee

By Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida
Feb 6, 2023
Pups Pub Orlando challenges state decision to ban dogs from bars

An attempt to keep dog-friendly bars dog-friendly

By News Service of Florida
Feb 6, 2023
Special session called over Reedy Creek Improvement District

The session will address recent hurricane assistance, immigration relocation and more

By Ryan Dailey and Jim Turner, News Service of Florida
Feb 4, 2023
Florida Gov. DeSantis plans to defund diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at state universities

“Diversity, equity and inclusivity programs will also include disability and accessibility services — I guess DeSantis wants to abolish those too,” Eskamani said in a Twitter post.

By Ryan Dailey, NSF
Feb 1, 2023
New College board fires president, installs former GOP House Speaker Richard Corcoran

The moves came after Gov. Ron DeSantis this month appointed six conservative board members

By Ryan Dailey, NSF
Feb 1, 2023