Florida Watchdog
Establishment faces off in FL’s 22nd District
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog MIAMI — More than four months remain until the primaries for the Republican and Democratic parties in Florida, but the parties have decided on their candidates for the 22nd Congressional District. In the race to replace GOP U.S. Rep. Allen West, who is seeking election in the newly drawn 18th District, the…
Voter fraud in FL? Lawmakers feel vindicated
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog MIAMI — After a litany of civil lawsuits and scrutiny from the federal government, it seems Florida’s Legislature may be vindicated in its efforts to combat voter fraud. At least three Florida counties are investigating cases of registered voters who do not have legal citizenship status, adding support to…
Ron Paul delegation vows to be a force in Tampa
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — For Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus and much of the news media, the presidential nomination process is wrapped up. The much-televised reality show and political horse race has crowned former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the party’s “presumptive nominee,” amounting to a “complete merger wherein the RNC (which) is…
Scott on CNBC: Florida really is the place to do business
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TALLAHASSEE– Florida Gov. Rick Scott took to CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Friday morning, seizing the opportunity to tout the latest job numbers in the state. He received praise from interviewer Joe Kernen on taxes and regulations, and even criticized President Barack Obama’s narrow focus on student loan interest rates. “People want a job, and that’s…
FL Supreme Court grants new district boundaires
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — After striking down a previous plan drawn up by state Senate lawmakers in February, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously approved a new map Friday morning, defining the political districts for legislators ahead of state elections this fall. The issue stems from the first lawsuit filed by groups such as…
Court strikes down drug testing for FL state workers
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — Florida Gov. Rick Scott was dealt a blow Thursday morning when a federal judge declared unconstitutional mandatory drug screening for state employees. The ruling, handed down by U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro in the Southern District of Florida, issues a permanent injunction on the drug tests, which were required by an executive order in March 2011. “The executive order does…
Connie Mack IV, FL’s not-so-inevitable Senate candidate
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog MIAMI — The past few months haven’t been kind to the fourth-generation Cornelius Harvey McGillicuddy. The four-term Fort Myers Republican congressman, better known as Connie Mack IV, was once considered the conservative favorite in the race for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson. But fresh questions about the congressman’s…
Rubio wraps up week-long audition in national spotlight
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — Dogged by rumors of a potential vice presidential nomination, the junior U.S. senator from Florida spent the week giving speeches on the campaign trail and in national interviews, boosting his public profile and giving credence to those who view him as the rising star of the Republican Party. As…
Analysis: Do changes in early voting laws affect minorities?
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — The number 537 forever will be burned in the minds of Florida legislators. After 35 days of fumbled recounts, disappearing ballots and deliberations by the U.S. Supreme Court, the weight of the 2000 presidential election came down to that tiny fraction of ballots — 537. With that legacy in mind, Florida lawmakers…
Polls show Florida as key battleground state in 2012
By Yaël Ossowski | Florida Watchdog TAMPA — Following tradition, the Sunshine State is setting the stage for another unforgettable year of election politics. That’s according to the latest Fox News poll conducted April 15-17, sampling 757 Florida registered voters in a telephone survey. In the expected matchup between Democratic President Barack Obama and likely Republican nomineeMitt Romney, Obama leads by less than two points,…