Monthly Archives: August 2016
Grayson defeats Grayson
Primary night confirmed what the Florida Democratic establishment most wanted this election cycle: a massive Patrick Murphy victory for US Senate and a resounding electoral repudiation of Congressman Alan Grayson. The establishment will crow about the Grayson defeat and call it a referendum supporting its ongoing mission to push, shove, and kick progressives out the […]
Conservative groups playing hard in Democratic primaries
The push by conservative groups to continue dominating the legislative process in the state of Florida has this year intensified with unprecedented spending and interest in Democratic primaries. Since most seats in the legislature and Florida’s congressional delegation are essentially decided in partisan primaries, groups aligned with Republican interests have wisely chosen to engage heavily […]
How movement progressivism will go forward after Tuesday
The outcome of what happens on Tuesday’s Primaries will not determine the success or failure of movement progressivism, but we’d be wise to take some time to reflect on what went well and where we can go from here. The robust progressive wave of the primary cycle has brought people out who normally sit on […]
National Women’s Political Caucus August 30 Endorsements
Our friends at the National Political Women’s Caucus of Florida have made recommendations for the August 30th primary. August 30, 2016 Endorsements and Recommendations US Senate Pam Keith US Congress District 9: Susannah Randolph District 26: Annette Taddeo State Senator District 13: Linda Stewart District 15: Vic Torres, Jr. 2 District 19: Betty Reed District […]
Insurance industry and corporate interestes looking to influence Democratic primaries
Nothing scares corporate Florida and the insurance industry more than the sight of a trial lawyer in office. That’s what Gary Farmer is facing in Senate District 34 where a barrage of mailers backed by GOP interests have hit the Parkland attorney seeking to throw the seat to former State Representative Jim Waldman. As a […]
School “choice” supporters playing hard in Democratic Primaries
Former State Representative Jim Waldman and current Rep. Gwen Clarke-Reed have gotten a power assists in State Senate District 34 race from a group associated with John Kirtley, the Tampa-area venture capitalist that is the chief funder of school “choice” efforts in the state of Florida. The Florida Federation for Children a group headed by Kirtley has […]
The Republican Zika narrative
A loyal TFS reader who is a constituent of Congressman Gus Bilirakis sent us the response he got when inquiring about Zika funding. This is the standard Republican line for not dealing with the issue head-on as a crisis begins to develop here in the state of Florida. Dear XXX: Thank you for contacting me […]
Progressive choices for primary day
The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida announced their endorsed candidates for 2016. In an email releasing the names of their choices the caucus said, “The way we move the Democratic Party in a more progressive direction is to get the more progressive candidates into the November General Election.” The DPCF also recommends a “yes” vote on Amendment 4. […]
The Florida Squeeze 