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The Buzz on Florida Politics

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy speak at the same time during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by Fox News Channel Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee.
3 takeaways from Ron DeSantis’ Republican primary debate performance
He stuck to familiar lines all night, but didn’t always stick to answering moderators’ questions.
With Trump absent, all eyes on DeSantis at GOP primary debate
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at The Gathering, a convention of Republican speakers organized by commentator Erick Erickson, on Friday in Atlanta. DeSantis was among several candidates for the Republican nomination for president who spoke at The Gathering, and who will take the stage for Wednesday's primary debate in Wisconsin.
Here’s how the Florida governor may approach Wednesday’s debate in Milwaukee — and how other candidates might take him on.
Florida’s redistricting case could have broad national implications
An aerial view of the Capitol in Tallahassee.
Arguments from lawyers for Gov. DeSantis are a “preview into how the governor views the Voting Rights Act,” one voting rights attorney said.
Ramaswamy’s loans, DeSantis’ spending: GOP debate candidates by the money
This combination of photos shows Republican presidential candidates, top row from left, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy, bottom row from left, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Governor Asa Hutchinson. (AP Photo)
A quick rundown of the campaign finance landscape for each candidate expected to be at the debate in Milwaukee.

Latest

  1. DeSantis issues state of emergency for Tampa Bay counties ahead of storm
    Yesterday• Hurricane
    Florida Governor Ron DeSantis address the audience on stage during a press conference at Cambridge Christian School, 6101 North Habana Avenue, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in Tampa.
  2. The full story behind the abortion anecdote DeSantis used at debate
    Yesterday• Politics
    “I know a lady in Florida named Penny,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said during Wednesday's Republican presidential primary debate. “She survived multiple abortion attempts. She was left discarded in a pan. Fortunately, her grandmother saved her and brought her to another hospital.”
  3. DeSantis reinstates Florida’s suspended affordable housing director
    Yesterday• Politics
    FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Heritage Foundation 50th Anniversary Celebration leadership summit, Friday, April 21, 2023, in Oxon Hill, Md. DeSantis couldn't enter the 2024 presidential contest now even if he wanted to because the Republican-controlled state legislature has yet to overturn Florida's so-called “resign to run” law, which bars officials from seeking one office while holding another. Republican House Speaker Paul Renner said last week that he’s confident the change would make it through the Legislature in the coming weeks. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
  5. Why are millions of Americans who are not working excluded from the ‘unemployed’ rate?
    Yesterday• Business
    A "now hiring" sign is posted in Garnet Valley, Pa., on May 10, 2021. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has used the same definition for "unemployed" since 1940, regardless of who is president.
  6. Florida Capitol getting bulletproof windows as part of multimillion-dollar renovation
    Yesterday• Politics
    Two construction workers put the finishing touches on the installation of bulletproof windows at the Florida Capitol on Aug. 18 in Tallahassee.
  7. ‘Right to Rock’ bill filed for Florida 2024 session would limit entertainment venues
    Yesterday• Politics
    Thousands of electronic music fans pack the festival grounds during the Sunset Music Festival on Saturday, May 27, 2023 in Tampa.
  8. Judge raises questions as he weighs arguments over DeSantis redistricting map
    Aug. 24• Politics
    This is the congressional districts map submitted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved by the Legislature that may now be revised to recreate a North Florida district that favors the election of a Black candidate.
  9. Woman who threatened to kill Trump stalked his teen son at Florida school, records say
    Aug. 24• Florida
    Donald Trump and his son Barron wave as they board Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, on Aug. 16, 2020.
  10. Tampa politico pleads guilty to sex offender charge, gets probation
    Aug. 24• Tampa
    John Robert Ring Jr.
  11. These books got the most complaints in Florida schools
    Aug. 24• Education
    These books from the St. Petersburg Public Library were among the titles that received the most complaints around Florida over the last year. "Sold," by Patricia McCormick, topped the list with complaints in 11 counties. The others are “Tricks” and "Crank," both by Ellen Hopkins; "Push," by Sapphire; and “Damsel,” by Elana K. Arnold.
  12. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s tax hike hits a hurdle
    Aug. 24• Tampa
    Tampa police Chief Lee Bercaw details the proposed police budget at the Tampa City Council earlier this month.
  13. Florida schools got hundreds of book complaints — mostly from 2 people
    Aug. 24• Education
    In images taken from school district videos, parent Bruce Friedman, left, addresses the Clay County School Board on Aug. 4, 2022, and teacher Vicki Baggett, right, speaks to the Escambia County School Board on May 16, 2023. Together, the two advocates submitted more than 600 book complaints over the last year, accounting for more than half the statewide total.
  14. Trump, skipping debate, attacks DeSantis and other rivals in taped interview
    Aug. 24• Elections
    Former President Donald Trump signs autographs hits his shot from the 16th tee during the LIV Golf Invitational- Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club on Aug. 13, 2023, in Bedminster, New Jersey.
  15. 3 takeaways from Ron DeSantis’ Republican primary debate performance
    Aug. 24• Elections
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy speak at the same time during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by Fox News Channel Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee.
  16. Florida board OKs rules on controversial new laws for schools
    Aug. 23• Education
    "This Book is Gay," "All Boys Aren't Blue" and "Gender Queer" are among the books now banned in some Florida counties as a result of new state laws. The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved rules needed to enforce those laws.
  17. Disney World workers criticize DeSantis appointees’ decision to eliminate free passes
    Aug. 23• Politics
    Park guests stroll past a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, July 14 in Lake Buena Vista. Employees of Disney's governing district confronted new board members appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a district board meeting Wednesday over their decision to eliminate free passes and discounts to the theme park resort for 400 of its district workers. They say they earned the benefit, and eliminating it would make park visits unaffordable.
  18. Florida death penalty changes causing ‘chaos,’ attorneys say
    Aug. 23• Florida
    The execution chamber at Florida State Prison in Starke.
  19. Lawsuit asks court to halt termination of Medicaid benefits in Florida
    Aug. 23• Health
    In a lawsuit filed in federal court in the Middle District of Florida Tuesday, attorneys for the Florida Health Justice Project and the National Health Law Program contend that the notices the state is sending to Medicaid recipients deemed no longer eligible for the program are confusing and do not adequately explain how they can challenge the state’s decision.
  20. Florida report on insurance failure raises more questions than answers
    Aug. 23• Politics
    Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis speaks to a crowd in Tampa on Aug. 24, 2022. State law requires Patronis’ office to produce reports on every insurance company that goes insolvent. These reports must include “a statement of the business practices of such insurer which led to such insolvency.” Until the Times/Herald wrote about the reports last year, top lawmakers and the state’s insurance consumer advocate, who works for Patronis, didn’t know they existed.
  21. Major DeSantis donors later gave big to Chris Christie, records show
    Aug. 23• Politics
    Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks to WSB radio host Erick Erickson at The Gathering conservative political conference in Buckhead on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
  22. Florida seeks stay in fight over putting children in nursing homes
    Aug. 23• Health
    Florida officials have filed a 29-page motion asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put on hold an injunction that requires changes aimed at keeping kids with complex medical conditions out of the state's nursing homes. Attorneys for the state argue that part of the injunction is “nothing less than a court-ordered takeover of Florida’s Medicaid program.”
  23. Florida ethics chairperson resigns after conflict with job with Disney district
    Aug. 22• Politics
    Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board administrator Glen Gilzean, right, speaks with Disney historian Rick Foglesong during the board's meeting in the headquarters of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista.
  24. Ramaswamy’s loans, DeSantis’ spending: GOP debate candidates by the money
    Aug. 22• Politics
    This combination of photos shows Republican presidential candidates, top row from left, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy, bottom row from left, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Governor Asa Hutchinson. (AP Photo)
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