Florida Lawmakers

Along with up-to-date political coverage, The Floridian takes the opportunity to write about the profiles of Florida lawmakers, senators, & other politicians. Read more here!
As a handful of Floridians are about to begin service inside The West Wing for the incoming Trump administration, a familiar last name is heading back to Washington. Caroline Wiles, daughter of President-elect Donald Trump's (R) campaign manager and current White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, has accepted a position with the prominent lobbying […]
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) appeared in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday not to ask or answer questions, but to introduce former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) to those on the dais. Former AG Bondi served in the position during Sen. Scott's tenure as the Governor of Florida (2011-2019) and now awaits […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday ratcheted up the pressure on Florida lawmakers to convene a special session addressing illegal immigration, prompted by criticism from within that his plan was "premature" and lacked specifics. At a press conference in Winter Haven, DeSantis said he was "surprised" top Republican lawmakers had published a letter Monday night condemning […]
A Florida Democrat filed a new bill Monday to ban state agencies from using taxpayer money to fund campaigns influencing proposed amendments, inspired by the DeSantis administration's controversial use of public funds to combat two ballot items. Tina Polsky, a state Senator from Boca Raton, told The Floridian that her bill is a direct response to reports […]
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) has launched a $20 million nationwide campaign calling on the legislative branch to renew President-elect Donald Trump's (R) Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). AFP describes this bill as "a cornerstone of AFP and the Trump Administration’s shared economic agenda this year." The group also describes this campaign as the "largest effort […]
President-elect Donald Trump waded into a power struggle between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican leaders Tuesday, throwing his political weight behind the Florida Governor in his call for a special session. The special session, which DeSantis announced would be held at the end of the month, is supposed to bolster Trump's efforts to squash illegal […]
Florida Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo, seen as a potential gubernatorial candidate in 2026, is unfazed by who Republicans may select as their nominee after Gov. Ron DeSantis' term ends. When asked whether former Rep. Matt Gaetz or current Rep. Byron Donalds—both of whom have toyed with the idea of running for governor—would be the […]
State Senator Randy Fine (R-FL) has announced his intention to reintroduce legislation that would end college tuition subsidies for illegal immigrants attending Florida state colleges and universities. The bill, SB 90, would reverse a 2014 state law that applies to 40 of the Sunshine State's institutions of higher education which currently gives undocumented migrants tuition […]
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has introduced legislation alongside Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) known as the Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act. This bill increases the criminal penalties for swatting by expanding the federal criminal hoax statute to specifically prohibit “swatting” hoaxes. "Swatting," as it is known, is the act of […]
Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) discussed who would replace the outgoing Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) in a recent press conference, and for the first time signaled who his choice could be— Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL). When asked about possibly choosing Rep. Cory Mills, Gov. DeSantis made a strong case for Rep. Cammack, calling her "a fighter" […]
Florida Democrats are furious at "BIG MAD" Governor Ron DeSantis (R), arguing that his call for a special session is as authoritarian as it gets.
Gov. Ron DeSantis' newly announced special session will consider altering Florida's citizen petition process, prompted by the state's slew of battles against now-failed amendments legalizing marijuana and most abortions. DeSantis claimed that many of the petitions to get those amendments on the 2024 ballot were not just fraudulent, as the Department of State alleged, but […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday announced that he will call a special session for the last week of January to bolster President-elect Donald Trump's anti-illegal immigrant agenda. The Florida Governor's comments come one week before Trump—whose top priority is combatting illegal immigration—will be inaugurated. DeSantis, who says he has been in contact with Trump and […]
A bipartisan group of House members have reintroduced a bill raising the U.S. Department of Justice's bounty on Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro to $100 million.
Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have reintroduced legislation upping the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Venezuelan dictator, Nicolas Maduro. The current maximum reward is $15 million, but it would increase to $100 million with the bill's passage. The bill is known as the Securing […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted the media's "cherry-picking" criticisms of right-wing politicians, prompted by backlash over his new university appointee previously advocating against women delaying motherhood for higher education. His comments fall in light of an AP News report, which found that new University of West Florida board appointee Scott Yenor had railed against the "evils" […]
Florida Chief Financial Officer and U.S. Congressional District 1 (Pensacola) hopeful Jimmy Patronis (R) answered questions during a recent public forum. During the event, CFO Patronis was asked about his knowledge of the area compared to his potential predecessor, former Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Patronis responded by saying that he's a "son of Northwest Florida." […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis laughed off a reporter's question Friday asking if he might appoint himself to Sen. Marco Rubio's soon-to-be vacant seat. The answer? "Absolutely not!" The Florida Governor chuckled, speaking at a Jacksonville press conference to discuss school choice. This is a far cry from rumblings that DeSantis could best further his political ambitions […]
