Social Media Saturday Round-Up from Florida Politics 5/18/13

Here is the best Social Media from your Central Florida Lawmakers.

Florida Governor Rick Scott: The Governor took this video to Both Twitter and Facebook yesterday to celebrate the state’s dropping unemployment numbers.

Senator Bill Nelson: Pushed this video. It’s good information but pretty dull.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio: was cheering on his hometown Miami Heat. As a Chicago Bulls fan, I respectfully disagree with every tweet posted below.

Rubio Miami Heat Tweets

Congressman John Mica: Posted this photo with a World War II Veteran visiting him.

John Mica Vets

Congressman Alan Grayson: Doing what he does.

Alan Grayson FB Treachery

Congressman Daniel Webster: Voted once again against The President’s Healthcare plan or “Obamacare”

Daniel Webster Obamacare

Congressman Ron Desantis: Also posted his thoughts on the Health Care Vote

Desantis ObamacareDesantis Obamacare

Mayor Jacobs Kicks Off Re-Election Campaign with Impressive Fundraiser

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs will officially kick-off her Re-election Campaign at the end of this month.

Her Re-election slogan “Smart. Tough. Making a Difference”

Her early support? A Bi-Partisan “Who’s Who” of Orange County, not only flexing the power of incumbency but mainstream support she’s maintained through out the course of her first term.

Elected Officials, Philanthropists, and Executives sit on one of the three committees the flyer advertises and the venue booked anticipates a huge turnout of previous supporters and potential donors.

In 2010, Jacobs was the last candidate to enter the race and immediately took control of the contest with a successful combination of financial support and Grassroots GOTV efforts.

This time she’ll be the incumbent and potential opponents include former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings (who lost a Congressional bid last year), Termed out State Representative Stephen Precourt (who could pull big business support if he runs) and most recently termed out Commissioner Tiffany Moore-Russell who’s experience could help but who’s popularity outside of district is untested.

Below is the Campaign Flyer

Mayor Jacobs Re-Election Kickoff

The Orange County Mayor Race is expected to be one of the biggest races of 2014 with no U.S Senate Race on the ballot and no early intriguing match-ups for Congress.

Get Your Message Out Banner! Blue

Friday Morning Political Headlines: Unemploment Drops to 7.2 %

TGIF!

Here is your late edition of the morning political headlines. I wanted to see the Unemployment numbers and it’s dropped.

Florida Governor Rick Scott immediately took to Social Media to tout the new numbers. Here is a tweet from the Governor’s Campaign Twitter Account.

This story leads your Friday Morning Political Headlines. Have a great weekend!

WESH 2: Fla. jobless rate drops to 7.2 percent in April

WKMG Local 6: Florida jobless rate drops to 7.2 percent in April

CF News 13: Florida unemployment down to 7.2 in April

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: Group to urge Scott to veto items from Fla. budget

WOFL FOX 35: (VIDEO) Trader Joe’s at forefront of Central Florida retail development

Orlando Sentinel: Florida unemployment rate falls to 7.2 percent in April

Rubio goes on Media Offensive during IRS Scandal

Earlier this week, new broke that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been targeting Conservative groups over the last few months, sending out bizarre questionnaires and requiring extra measures from the organizations.

President Barack Obama has since announced that such behavior cannot be tolerated and a full investigation launched by the Department of Justice to shed more light on the scandal that has dominated the dialog in the nation’s capitol.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio was one of the many lawmakers from both parties calling for this investigation and has since been on a media offensive trying to find answers.

This problem has found it’s way to Central Florida. Local Tea Party groups have reported that they’ve been targeted by the IRS and have needed to take extra steps to remain in compliance, including some members being audited. Winter Garden Congressman Daniel Webster has also called for this investigation on behalf of his constituents.

Here is Rubio on the Senate Floor.

And Rubio on Both FOX News and MSNBC

Orange Democrats to hold Post Legislative Session Update

State Senators Darren Soto and Geraldine Thompson, as well as State Representative Karen Castor-Dentel will be hosted by the Orange County Democrats to hold a Post Legislative Session Update, next week.

Democrats came away with a mixed bag last session. They defeated Parent Trigger and got more money for education, but failed to expand medicaid.

Here is the info. Registered Democrats only guys.

Orange Democrats Post Session

Republicans, you can catch up with State Representative Bryan Nelson next week as he holds post session updates in Apopka and Eustis. Here is more info on that.

I’ll continue to update you on post-session updates and townhalls as they occur.

Bryan Nelson to hold Two Town Halls in District 31 next Week

State Representative Bryan Nelson announced today on his Facebook page that he will be holding a pair of townhall meetings next week in District 31. Both will be joint meetings with two of his fellow Tallahassee lawmakers.

The first townhall will be with Democrat Randolph Bracy at the Apopka City Hall on Monday at 630pm. Bracy was easily elected last November and is coming off of his first legislative session.

The second gathering will be with at Eustis City Hall with Republican State Senator Alan Hays. The Senate was accomplished a lot last session and even rushed to the House during the final days to promote legislation.

Nelson himself will be termed out next year. The Republican lawmaker has already announced he will be seeking the Orange County District 2 seat being vacated by fellow termed out Apopka lawmaker Fred Brummer. He is coming off of a solid session where there were tax cuts for manufacturing businesses, no tax increases, and money added to the education budget

Here is Nelson’s announcement on Facebook.

Bryan Nelson Townhall Facebook

Orange County Commissioners Brummer, Moore-Russell announce possible plans for 2014

Yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel reported what two of our current Orange County Commissioners will possibly doing during elections next year.

Orange County District 6 Commissioner Tiffany Moore-Russell announced that she is seeking appointment to the vacant position of County Clerk in Orange County. This vacancy was created when Lydia Gardner passed away last week. Regulations say that Governor Rick Scott must appoint a replacement.

The article says she’s also “entertaining” a run for Mayor next year. The lone Democrat on the board would inherit a portion of that partisan base in the non-partisan election, but would still be the underdog against current Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. Still, she could be the local party’s only choice, if no other viable candidates express interests.

Other names rumored to be entertaining a run are former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings (who lost a congressional race last year to Daniel Webster), Termed out State Representative Stephen Precourt (who said there was a leadership crisis in the county and says he’s been asked about running) and fellow Orange Commissioner Ted Edwards.

Staying in Orange County, the Orlando Sentinel also reported, Commissioner Fred Brummer has announced he won’t seek the Florida State House District 31 seat, to replace his fellow Apopka Resident Bryan Nelson.

The unapologetic Conservative on the Commission, would have been favored in the area he’s represented in Tallahassee before. The Republican Primary currently features Terri Seefeldt and Randy Glisson.

Brummer will not seek the Florida House 31 seat. Moore-Russell has applied for the Orange Clerk of Courts appointment

Brummer will not seek the Florida House 31 seat. Moore-Russell has applied for the Orange Clerk of Courts appointment

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2013 Florida Legislative Session Report Card: State Rep. Mike Clelland

State Representative Mike Clelland pulled off the biggest political upset in Central Florida, when he defeated would-be Florida House Speaker Chris Dorworth in their District 29 showdown. A Democrat in the mostly Republican district in the region, had the painful task of balancing the needs of his constituents without “erking” his party’s leadership in Tallahassee. As a Freshman lawmaker, you don’t have “the pull” to accomplish that feat. Still, Clelland was able to take advantage of Governor Rick Scott’s change of philosophy to get a couple of things done.

Here is your 2013 Legislative Session Report Card on State Representative Mike Clelland

For an explanation on how lawmakers are graded click HERE

Campaign Promises: (Source Campaign Website) More money for Public Schools? Check. Preserving the foundation of Public Schools? Check. Both of those were accomplished by the Governor’s desire to put money back into education and award teacher raises. Medicaid Expansion didn’t happen. House Democrats tried a strategical stunt the last week of session and it didn’t work. He wanted to work on Home Foreclosures, but the Senate passed legislation that would speed up the process (It could be vetoed by Scott) but this area will actually be worse off than when Clelland arrived in Tally.

GRADE: C-

Social Media and Communications: Clelland has a Facebook page, and Youtube channel with plugins on his site, but it hasn’t been touched since election night or even his re-count. He’s got the infrastructure and he needs to use it.

GRADE: D+

Campaign, Innovation, and Strategy: Clelland used his background to defeat a bill that would have place B.M.I (body mass index) fitness restrictions on Firefighters. The House Dems tried the last week stunt of running out the clock by forcing every bill to be read, in an attempt to expand medicaid but that failed. Working in a minority, there wasn’t very much he could do.

GRADE: C

Bi-Partisanship: He’s Representing a Republican district. He’s positioned himself to break ranks with Democrats a couple of times but nothing particularly groundbreaking. He’s listening. It will be campaign season next year, and he’ll have an even tougher climb to re-election if doesn’t work with the other side.

GRADE: B

Media Relations and “Mic Skills”: There was a feature on the Florida Channel but a constituent doing research won’t be able to find that. While arguing for the Firefighter Fitness bill, he did a clumsy job of comparing Male to Female BMI. Not very skillful.

GRADE: D

Extra Credit: NO

Conclusion: He took losses with Medicaid and Foreclosure promises he couldn’t keep. He’s replacing a designated House Speaker, and he needs to find a way to fill the Representation deficit left behind. He’s also got a tough choice to make next year. Is he going to fight for his Republican Majority district? Or is he going to let the Democratic leadership determine his agenda. An unusual situation for Clelland and he needs to act. Scott Plakon will probably be waiting for him next November.

OVERALL GRADE: C

Mike Clelland 2013 Session Report Card

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Wednesday Morning Political Headlines: Florida’s Role in IRS, Benghazi Controversy

Rubio's time is coming and until then he's only going to get better

It’s Wednesday and the big political stories feature Florida’s role on the national scene.

Controversies like the Government’s handling of the Benghazi terrorist attacks have several Florida lawmakers like Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Ron Desantis asking questions from their Committee assignments over the events and flow information following the tragedy.

The IRS targeting of Conservative groups have everyone from President Obama to Republican Winter Garden Congressman Daniel Webster concerned. Many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have called for an investigation.

We’ve also got features on the Florida Legislature’s voting practices and and GOP operative switching parties.

These are your Wednesday morning Political Headlines

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: (VIDEO) 9 Investigates lawmaker accountability

WOFL FOX 35: (AP) GOP governors want special prosecutor in IRS case

WESH 2: Former Fla. lawmaker wins $50,000-a-year-for-life prize

Orlando Sentinel: Former Hispanic Outreach Director Jumps to Democrats.

CF News 13: Florida House members keep their health insurance cheap

WKMG Local 6: (AP) Deputy AG defends AP subpoenas

Cortes, Sturgill trade Endorsements in House District 30 Contest

The Republican contenders in the Florida House District 30 race, are wasting no time announcing endorsements and ramping up fundraising efforts.

Longwood City Commissioner and Business owner Bob Cortes is already in full campaign mode. He’s been making public appearances all over the region, throwing fundraisers, and most recently making big endorsement announcements.

Yesterday, Cortes announced official endorsements from House Majority Leader Stephen Precourt, Jason Brodeur, David Santiago, John Tobia, and Ritch Workman.

It’s a big announcement. A Basketball team of Republican lawmakers that are supporting his candidacy and want him to join them in Tallahassee for Session in 2015. Cortes also has more elected officials and power players on his fundraising hosting committee. A very impressive roll-out and power move, to try take control and end this primary before it begins.

Soil-Water Committeeman and Businessman Scott Sturgill entered the contest a couple of weeks, back but responded with a pair of his own endorsements last night.

The email subject line was a jab at Cortes. “CORTES’ FELLOW COMMISSIONERS ENDORSE…. SCOTT STURGILL”

He went on to announce the endorsements of Cortes’ fellow Longwood Commissioners H.G. “Butch” Bundy and Joe Durso. Both Commissioners questioned Cortes’ authenticity and praised Sturgill’s background.

It’s the first attack of this campaign, and at the same time you could argue that it was a necessity.

Sturgill was in danger of having his campaign fall into obscurity. He’s well liked by Politicos in the community and it’s still very early but the timetable on this primary has been drastically shifted to this year. If Sturgill doesn’t act, the money, big name endorsements, and eventually the “boots on the ground” for grassroots efforts will all be gone.

The winner will face Democrat Karen Castor-Dentel in the general election next November.

However, neither of these two are wasting anytime.

Bob Cortes and Scott Sturgill are rolling out early endorsements in their Florida House 30 primary

Bob Cortes and Scott Sturgill are rolling out early endorsements in their Florida House 30 primary