All posts tagged "florida"

Fuming Dem armed with bullhorn derails red state legislative proceedings

A Florida Democratic lawmaker interrupted state House proceedings in protest to the approval of a redistricting map that could give the GOP four congressional seats.

"You're destroying our democracy," state Rep. Angie Nixon, who's also running for Senate, could be heard in videos yelling into a bullhorn on the Florida House floor. "This is a violation of the Constitution! It is!"

The GOP-controlled Florida Legislature approved Gov. Ron DeSantis' map to redistrict the Sunshine State. The move is the latest counterattack in the redistricting wars, after the Democrats won a battle in Virginia to persuade voters to approve a gerrymandered map that waters down Republican power there.

Although the Florida House speaker tried to talk over Nixon's shouting and move forward, Nixon continued. "This is out of order," she kept repeating.

Nixon defended her actions in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

"I'm so upset because I had to disrupt the House proceedings," Nixon said. "They were trying to push through illegally drawn maps that diminish representation in the Black community."

She added that it threatens the representation of Florida's Latino and Jewish communities as well.

“This is a slap in the face of voters everywhere in our state," Nixon said. "Republicans are only doing this so that they can look out for Donald Trump and allow him to have unfettered power."

Rogue MAGA influencer accuses married congresswoman of affair with her ex-boyfriend

A rogue conservative influencer is accusing a married, sitting member of Congress from Florida of sleeping with her ex-boyfriend, whom she only identified as a well-known conservative personality from Tampa Bay.

"To this day, they both insist that nothing happened," influencer Ashley St. Clair said in an X post on Wednesday. The unnamed Congresswoman "got very upset for telling this story because it insinuates that she cheated on her husband."

St. Clair said that her relationship with her then-boyfriend was strained at the time because he moved her to Tampa Bay, smoked kratom and marijuana, had soft hands, and put mud on his truck to uphold a conservative facade, among other reasons detailed in a nearly 10-minute video.

She only refers to her ex-boyfriend as "Tampa" in the video, "because I have enough lawsuits," she said, but she described him as a "California attorney and full-time MAGA influencer."

After coming back from a short trip, St. Clair found a face mask in their shared master bedroom, she said.

"I had already moved into the guest bedroom because I was over this man. When I pressed him about this, he said, 'I thought it was yours,' to which I responded, 'I would never use something that disgusting,'" St. Clair recounted. "It turns out this face mask belonged to a current, sitting member of Congress."

The ex-boyfriend explained that the unnamed congresswoman "just spent the night because she needed somewhere to stay because she was moving to the district to carpetbag for her seat that she currently holds."

After St. Clair and "Tampa" broke up, another ex-girlfriend of his called St. Clair, "with an almost identical story, including his inappropriate relationship with a sitting member of Congress, who still to this day, despite him being in relationships, calls him in the middle of the night to look at the sky and other weird [expletive] like that."

St. Clair stood by her claims at the end of her video, concluding that "all I have done is tell the accurate recollection of facts."

ASHLEY posted a video about the time she dated @DC_Draino without saying his name.

Even I found myself watching the whole ten minutes since there was so much tea

👁️👁️ pic.twitter.com/IUrxBjP2Md
— Pom (@ThePoliticalPom) April 29, 2026

DeSantis suffers major public rebuke by top Florida Republican once thought 'unthinkable'

Florida Republicans showed Gov. Ron DeSantis that they're not all the way on board with his top policy priorities.

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez killed bills proposed by DeSantis to add regulations on AI and to grant religious exemptions from vaccines. Perez declared them dead on arrival "mere minutes" into a special session called by DeSantis to tackle those issues and a possible redistricting, Politico reported on Tuesday.

“I think both of these issues, we were very clear on our position during session,” Perez said to reporters. “And neither of these bills moved through the House and the committee process during the session.”

Politico described Perez's move as a "major reproach from a member of DeSantis’ own party," adding that it "would have been almost unthinkable several years ago, when the GOP governor was at the apex of his popularity."

DeSantis called the rebuke "typical political shenanigans.”

'What are we even doing here?' Internet erupts as Florida GOP pursues new election map

The internet erupted on Monday after news spread that Gov. Ron DeSantis was employing a three-pronged legal strategy to evade Florida's constitutional ban on partisan gerrymandering and redrawing the Sunshine State's election map.

DeSantis quietly orchestrated a special legislative session to approve new congressional maps designed to create more GOP-friendly districts ahead of the November midterm elections.

People on social media sounded the alarm and raised several questions over the maneuver.

"I realize that laws don't matter anymore, but for me, if you are going to cover Florida redistricting, you must lead with the fact that whatever is being proposed here is explicitly prohibited by the state constitution. What are we even doing here?" political commentator Jamesetta Williams wrote on X.

"Quick refresher for people when we get the underlying data. A map is a 'dummymander' if the ultimate outcome is worse than **the status quo** for the party that drew it, not worse than it was intended to be. A map is not a dummymander if it aims to pick up 4 and only picks up 2," Jacob Rubashkin, deputy editor of Inside Elections, wrote on X.

"This is a gerrymander done with the intent of helping Republicans and hurting Democrats, which is explicitly prohibited by Florida's constitution. The only way this map could stand (assuming it's passed into law) is if FL's Supreme Court willfully ignores the state constitution," James Surowiecki, author and contributor for The Atlantic and Fast Company, wrote on X.

"The map Florida just released is missing District 25. I’m told members of the state legislature are currently discussing whether this is a mistake or not," Symone D. Sanders Townsend, Democratic strategist and MS NOW host, wrote on X.

"Where are all the Republicans who whined about the Virginia map? They’re unusually quiet this morning," "Jeopardy!" winner, author and atheist activist Hemant Mehta wrote on X.

Red state gov's bid to get in Trump's good graces doomed to backfire on GOP: strategist

Recruiting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to gerrymander his state as a counterattack to the Democratic redistricting victory in Virginia could backfire, a political consultant warned Thursday, as the GOP looks to punch back.

“We have already compacted Democrats into such tight districts, the only thing you can do when you are redrawing is cut them out of there,” said Florida political strategist Alex Alvarado told Politico in a Thursday article.

“You have to place those Democratic voters somewhere.”

The redistricting map that Virginia voters passed on Tuesday opens up four House seats for Democrats to win in November. Florida-based GOP strategist Ford O’Connell told Politico that “this is honestly an all-hands-on-deck moment, because if you lose the House, you’re going to bring, essentially, the agenda to a grinding halt."

O'Connell said that "all eyes are on Ron DeSantis and Florida now" as he expects the GOP governor to "take the gloves off like Democrats did in Virginia and California and draw as many districts as you can, legally, for Republicans.” The report said DeSantis may try the gambit to score a spot in President Donald Trump's administration.

Alvarado warned that "you have to place those Democratic voters somewhere."

Adam Kincaid, executive director of the National Republican Redistricting Trust, is similarly doubtful about the plan, saying “I don’t think you’re gonna create deep-blood-red seats all over the state,” he said. “I think we just have to wait and see what the Legislature produces.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Wednesday that Democrats will “finish” the redistricting war in Florida.

“Our message to Florida Republicans is ‘F’ around and find out,” Jeffries said. DeSantis responded during a bill signing in Florida that welcomed the challenge and a Democrat-led redistricting campaign, “I will pay for you to come down to Florida and campaign.”

Dems have a chance to flip red state after GOP's 'worst nightmare' came true: analysis

The Democratic Party may feel bolstered by a special election result where they gained ground from the GOP in Donald Trump's backyard.

Such a result at Mar-a-Lago, which tipped to Democratic candidate Emily Gregory over Republican Jon Maples, could give the party some hope of success in Florida ahead of the midterms. The Hill columnist Liz Peek suggested a draft of voters aligned with Democratic Party values now living in Florida could tip the balance in the election later this year.

"For long-time residents of Florida, who enjoy the state’s low taxes, safe streets and sensible pro-business policies, the recent special election was their worst nightmare come true," Peek wrote.

"Millions of people have moved to the Sunshine State in recent years, particularly during the pandemic, attracted to a pleasant quality of life, an unobtrusive government and, for sure, wonderful weather.

"Among that throng have been many Democrats fleeing New York, New Jersey, Illinois, California and other blue states, driven out mainly by those states’ burdensome taxes and high crime rates.

"What are voters thinking? Do they really want to kill the golden goose that has made Florida so livable? Were they lashing out against Donald Trump, willing to sacrifice the benefits of GOP administration just to show their fury?"

Peek has since suggested a "winning message" of "affordability" could be a game-changer in Florida this year, though it would not be enough to kill off the GOP's super majority in Florida.

"The Palm Beach seat-flip was not the only upset recently scored by Democrats in Florida," Peek wrote. "In another special election, Democrat Brian Nathan appears poised to win a state Senate seat in West Tampa and parts of Hillsborough County formerly held by a Republican.

"Most startling was the election last December of the first Democrat to become mayor of Miami in almost 30 years.

"Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by roughly 1.5 million. They have a supermajority in the state House, which won’t be threatened even if Nathan wins. But Democrats are targeting Florida, and across the nation they are, ironically, winning on the “affordability” issue — even though the most expensive places to live in the U.S. right now are all in blue states.

"Between now and the midterm elections, Republicans need to deliver programs that will lower the cost of living."

'Your district is in danger': Florida Republicans get brutal midterm message

Democrats had a tough response for Republicans in Florida after flipping two GOP districts blue — a potential sign of what could be expected come midterms this fall.

The major wins follow several other Democratic victories in the 2025 elections that revealed the party has gained ground in historically Republican districts or have won those races altogether, according to a Politico report published Wednesday.

"This comes after elections that saw President Donald Trump easily win the state in 2024 and Gov. Ron DeSantis romp to a 19-point victory in 2022, but also as Democrats across the country have flipped more than two dozen state seats during the president’s second term," Politico reported.

“My message to Republicans is this: Your district is in danger,” said Nikki Fried, Florida Democratic Party Chair.

Voters, reacting to the Trump administration's policies and overall dissatisfaction, elected Democrats Emily Gregory in the state House and Brian Nathan in the state Senate. It might signal a national trend to come.

"I think we’re in the middle of a big, big wave," said Howard Richman, the chair of the Palm Beach County Democrats.

Apparent explosive device found near Air Force base: report

A suspicious package was reportedly found on Monday outside Florida's MacDill Air Force Base visitor center that contained an apparent improvised explosive device, ABC News reported.

Sources told the outlet that it was unclear if the device would have detonated.

The incident prompted a shelter-in-place order, which was later lifted, according to Reuters.

The FBI reported it was still investigating and analyzing the suspicious package.

‘Flip the president’s home district’: Dems want to send Trump a personal message

President Donald Trump could take a political hit if Democrats flip a Republican House seat in his own backyard next week.

The special election in Florida District 87, which is home to Mar-a-Lago, could prove that Democrats can end the Florida GOP supermajority in the midterms this fall — returning the Sunshine State's "swing status," Politico reported. The potential victory for Democrats on March 24 would also follow a series of recent nationwide wins.

The long-anticipated race has Democrat Emily Gregory, a first-time candidate and small business owner who has focused on public health and mental health, facing off against Republican Jon Maples, a financial planner and former member of the Town Council in Lake Clarke Shores. The district includes the coastline along northern Palm Beach County.

The message for Trump is meant to be personal.

"Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said the state party was backing Gregory 'with everything we’ve got' and made the race a top priority by sending staff and volunteers to knock on doors, make calls and send texts to ensure voters 'flip the president’s home district,'" according to Politico.

Trump has endorsed Maples, but Democrats have zeroed in on support for Gregory, who sued to force Gov. Ron DeSantis to call the special election after delays.

The special election win could signal a significant moment for Democrats heading into November.

"In the district hosting Trump’s home and private club, the symbolism of a Democratic win could be overshadowed by a broader signal that Democrats have a chance to expand their midterm opportunities — across Florida’s gubernatorial and Senate races as well as nationwide," Politico reported.

This red state created a chilling blueprint for killing democracy

In February, the Florida Department of State determined that no citizen-initiated measures qualified for the Florida 2026 general election ballot. This was not an accident. This outcome is the culmination of a multi-year, multi-pronged attack on the ballot measure process in Florida, with the most draconian blow coming last May.

On May 2, 2025, the Florida legislature passed House Bill 1205, a law that restricts, criminalizes, and penalizes ballot initiative efforts in Florida. HB 1205 is a direct assault on Florida’s citizen-led constitutional amendment process — imposing vague, burdensome, and punitive restrictions that threaten to chill core political speech and discourage civic participation. Although there are several insidious provisions in this law — severe petition-related fines and penalties, restrictive circulation periods, and burdensome petition circulation training obligations, including for volunteers — one of the most damaging provisions only revealed its true nature weeks after the law went into effect.

Unique to the Florida ballot measure process, statewide initiative proponents are obligated to pay a verification fee for each petition they submit. Prior to HB 1205, the cost averaged about 87 cents per petition. On its face, this obligation was already unconstitutional. However, HB 1205 went even further, redefining the “actual cost” of signature verification and authorizing county supervisors to calculate the new per-petition cost, and begin collecting it from statewide ballot initiatives.

Starting on June 30, 2025, the county supervisors began posting their increased signature verification rates. Many newly posted fees are dramatically higher. For example, Lee County raised fees from $0.95 to $4.40 per petition, a 363 percent increase, while Gilchrist County raised fees from $0.10 to $2.77 per petition, a 2,670 percent increase.

On average, Florida’s three largest counties increased fees to more than $3.77 per signature. As a result, it will now cost sponsors millions of dollars to verify enough petitions to qualify for the ballot. By comparison, no other state even comes close — the largest filing fee we are aware of is Montana’s fee of $3,700, which a court promptly struck down as unconstitutional under state law.

There is no question that Florida has been a breeding ground for bad legislation in recent years. Just to name a few:

In 2005, Florida passed the first “stand your ground” law.
Florida was one of the first states to ban “critical race theory” from its classrooms and was the first state to ban the AP African American studies course.
Attacks on the ballot measure process have escalated in recent years, and there is no question that state legislatures look to one another for novel ideas to make the ballot measure process more restrictive.

Once a restrictive policy is seen as permissible in one state, other states move quickly to adopt it for themselves. For instance, several states have tried to increase their ballot measure passage thresholds after Florida increased its threshold to 60 percent. Likewise, geographic circulation requirements, circulator registration and reporting obligations, and circulator payment restrictions have spread like wildfire across Republican-controlled states. Without a doubt, if the regressive policies of HB 1205 are left unchecked, other states will immediately adopt the same types of policies.

And yet, there is still hope. After HB 1205 passed last year, Florida Decides Healthcare, the Medicaid expansion initiative campaign, immediately filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that HB 1205 is a direct assault on Florida’s citizen-led ballot measure process. That case went to trial on February 9, where the state attempted to defend its restrictions.

If HB 1205 is allowed to stand, it will be prohibitively expensive for any initiative to get on the ballot in Florida. If and when other states replicate Florida’s hardball tactics against ballot measures, it would represent the greatest threat to direct democracy in years. Democracy advocates around the country should watch this trial closely, and we should all applaud Florida Decides Healthcare for standing up for their direct democracy rights.

Emma Olson Sharkey is a partner at Elias Law Group. She focuses her practice on nonprofit tax and campaign finance law, and legal issues related to ballot measures.