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!
The Florida Legislature largely passed Gov. Ron DeSantis's proposal to phase out homestead property taxes during the state's special legislative session this week. The vote on HJR 1F was 75-26 in the House and 30-9 in the Senate. Rep. Tobin "Toby" Overdorf (R-Palm City) led the resolution in the House while Sen. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah […]
The Everglades Trust, a non-profit dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Florida Everglades, thanked the State Legislature for including $638 million in restoration to the wetland as part of its 2026-27 fiscal year (FY) budget it passed in Tallahassee on Friday. The funding includes completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), widely known […]
Rep. Ashley Gantt (D-Miami) announced she will run to replace Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) in Senate District 34 after Jones declared he will not be seeking another term earlier this week. The announcement comes amid speculation Sen. Jones will run for U.S. Rep. Fredrica Wilson's (D-FL) District 24 seat after Wilson announced this week […]
As Florida lawmakers debate tens of millions of dollars in new wildfire funding, one aviation company already operating in the state could help the state respond faster and with fewer environmental trade-offs. Bridger Aerospace, a Montana-based aerial firefighting company that has expanded operations into the Southeast, deploys aircraft equipped to fight fires using a natural, water-based suppression solution rather than traditional […]
Sen. Shevrin "Shev" Jones (D-Miami Gardens) announced will not be seeking re-election in Senate District 34 in an emotional message shared on social media this week. "Everything I've done over these last 13 years has been rooted in one simple belief, and that that people deserve leadership that fights for them, listens to them, and […]
Former Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book announced her candidacy for Senate District 30 through a social media post this week. Book, who served as Leader from 2021 to 2024, and as a Senator from 2016 to 2024, is looking to replace Sen. Tina Scott Polsky (R-Boca Raton), who announced she would not seek another term […]
During an interview with NewsNation’s The Hill, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) told Blake Burman that he doesn’t believe the U.S. will have to enact military action on Cuba because the Cuban people will rise against the Communist regime instead. “I don’t think we’re going to have to do it. I think what’s going to happen […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-Fort Myers) as Lee County Supervisor of Elections this week. Persons-Mulicka takes over for Supervisor Tommy Doyle, who announced his retirement after serving nine years in the position. Rep. Persons-Mulicka is a founding partner and attorney at Strayhorn Persons-Mulicka in Fort Myers. The law firm has […]
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the U.S. of creating a “fraudulent case” to back its economic sanctions and potential military intervention on the island. Rodriguez’s allegations come after an Axios report, citing classified intelligence, alleged that the communist-led nation acquired over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran. "Cuba neither threatens nor desires war," […]
Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) and Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) announced a co-sponsored measure to suspend U.S. senators' pay during a government shutdown. Sen. Moody’s recent resolution is part of an overall effort to "bring back sanity in Washington, D.C.," cracking down on government shutdowns and the lack of repercussions placed on federal lawmakers. “It’s astounding […]
U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) called out the federal government’s “failed energy policies, poor monetary decisions”, and over expenditure, as contributors to the rise in inflation and consumer goods amongst American families during a House Financial Services Committee markup. During the meeting, the Florida Congressman called for stronger congressional oversight and economic policies to bolster […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills aimed at strengthening animal welfare protections and consumer safeguards for pet adoptions during a press conference at the Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee this week. “Florida has become a leader in protecting animals and holding accountable those who harm them. Today, we built on that record with new […]
In a social media post, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier urged the House Legislature to impeach Tallahassee Judge Tiffany Baker after revoking bond for the alleged killer of 5-year-old Melissa "Missy" Mogle in May 2025. Daniel Spencer, Mogle's stepfather, was let out on bond by Baker despite a conviction and awaited sentencing for trying to […]
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) responded to President Trump’s announcement of talks between the U.S. and Cuba, as the island nation asks for global assistance amid a five-month oil embargo. “Mr. President, Republicans know you are the only person who will be able to free Cuba after 67 years of oppression, and we Republicans in […]
The state of Florida is reportedly in conversation with the Trump administration to close down U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center “Alligator Alcatraz,” according to a report from The New York Times (The Times). Talks between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the state began after the agency deemed the migrant detention […]
President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Rep. Meg ''MAGA Meg' Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) in her House District 94 re-election bid, referring to Weinberger as a "America First" patriot on Truth Social this week. "Meg is MAGA all the way, and has been with us from the very beginning, helping advance our AMERICA FIRST […]
Congressional Candidate for Florida’s 6th District and former Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins (D-Fla.) has announced her pivot towards Florida’s 8th district, pitting herself against U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) instead of incumbent Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.). Jenkins announced her transition following Gov. Ron DeSantis’s passage of a new congressional map. The map, re-designed […]
Senator Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) announced a bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act aimed at cracking down on equipment used to manufacture illicit drugs. During a press conference in Miami, Fla., Sen. Moody joined alongside law enforcement and local officials to announce the Preventing Rogue Equipment for Synthetic Substances (PRESS) Act. “To stop the manufacturing […]
