Lawyers opposing the measure known as Marsy’s Law say it restricts the constitutional rights of those accused of crimes while misleading voters about its intent.
Elections 2024
Party Split or Not, Republicans Using George Soros to Smear Other Republicans Is Offensive
The GOP primary that has degraded into absurd name-calling pits tea-party-backed Scott Sturgill against conservative Mike Miller in the Edgewood, Orlando, and Winter Park area.
Bank Closes Campaign Account of Florida Candidate Who Advocates for Medical Marijuana
Nikki Fried, a lawyer running for Commissioner of Agriculture, once lobbied for medical-marijuana operators and helped shape the state’s laws and regulations regarding pot.
Four Republicans Vying to Replace Putnam as Agriculture Commissioner Battle Lack of Recognition
The Aug. 28 Republican primary for agriculture commissioner has featured some sniping over issues such as campaign money and Second Amendment support, with the sparring mostly occurring between state Rep. Matt Caldwell of North Fort Myers and Sen. Denise Grimsley of Sebring.
Abby Romaine-Greg Hansen Debate Collapses Amid Muddy Accusations and Unanswered Questions
Incumbent Greg Hansen had agreed to County Commission candidate Abby Romaine’s debate proposal only to pull out, making accusations she says are baseless as a race turns an ugly form of silly.
Gwen Graham’s Bid for Governor Tries to Make History But a Legacy Can Be Double-Edged
Gwen Graham, a former one-term member of Congress, could make history this fall by being elected Florida’s first female governor and the first child of a governor to serve in the state’s top job.
Flagler’s Elections Supervisor Urges Confidence in Voting System: Your Ballot Won’t Be Hacked
Flagler County Elections Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart outlines the latest measures to make the county’s election system hack-proof and challenges voters to turn out and cast a ballot.
Supreme Court Asked To Block 6 Constitutional Amendments That Combine Multiple Issues
The plaintiffs include a former Supreme Court Justice and take aim at proposed amendments that the Florida Constitution Revision Commission placed on the November ballot.
In Governor’s Race, Democrats Push For Expanded Health Coverage For Floridians
Democratic candidates s are accentuating a split with Republicans in a campaign where health care has become one of the touchstone issues.
From Slinging Possums To Age Discrimination, Florida’s Silly Season Turns Toxic
The weeks leading up to elections are sometimes known as the “silly season,” but on numerous fronts in the Sunshine State, “the nasty season” seems a more fitting label.
Flagler Group Launches Tiger Bay Club in Hopes of Fostering Non-Partisan Diversity
Flagler County now has a Tiger Bay Club of its own, joining nearly two dozen other cities or counties in Florida with an organization devoted to non-partisan, political discussions and civic debate.
Judge Throws Dog Racing Ban Off November Ballot, Calling It “Outright Trickeration”
“Contrary to the words presented for consideration by the voters, the amendment would not end dog racing, nor would it eliminate wagering on dog racing,” the judge wrote.
Dog Racing Ban, On November Ballot, Gets a Boost From Doris Day
The Doris Day Animal League made a $1.5 million contribution to the Committee to Protect Dogs, backing Amendment 13, which appears on Florida ballots this fall.
In Restoration of Florida Felons’ Voting Rights, Lawyers Make Novel 1st Amendment Argument
Lawyers for the plaintiffs maintain that Florida’s discretionary process violates the First Amendment, despite a dearth of cases anywhere in the country supporting that argument.
Judge Declares Unconstitutional Attempt By Scott To Forbid Early Voting On College Campuses
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker found that the Florida Department of State’s prohibition against campus early-voting sites “is facially discriminatory on account of age.”
In Straw Poll at Chamber’s Candidate Hobnob, a Mix of Incumbent and Insurgent Successes
Incumbents have clear leads in County Commission races, newcomers John Tipton and Jack Howell posted strong showings in Palm Coast races, and school board races have mixed messages.
Truth Derangement Syndrome
Donald Trump once said he could shoot someone and not lose any votes. He’s right in the sense that he changed the rules of right and wrong, truth and lies, morality and immorality.
No “Overconfidence” In 2018 Election as Florida Takes $19 Million in Security Upgrades
Florida’s top elections official told lawmakers that “time is of the essence” in using the federal money, with the Aug. 28 primary elections just over a month away.
Flagler Government Will Crack Down On Mobile Campaign Billboards And Other Signs
Flagler County commissioners will approve new rules next Monday regulating or banning campaign-sign-blaring vehicles and campaign signs from county properties.
Days After Criticism From Sen. Nelson, Governor Declares Emergency Over Algae Outbreak
On Friday and over the weekend Democrats and Bill Nelson accused Scott of “going through the motions” in dealing with the algae blooms.
DeSantis and Putnam Battle To Out-Trump Each Other In Televised Debate
Adam Putnam and Ron DeSantis focused more on national topics than challenges facing the next Florida governor in their debate broadcast on Fox.
Balking at Proposed Tax Increase, County Commissioners Offer Alternatives Outside of Public Meeting
Flagler County commissioners want to cut a proposed budget increase but didn’t do so at a workshop, and plan to offer their suggestions outside of budget workshops.
Andy Dance Re-Elected To Flagler School Board Without Opposition; Others Must Slog It Out
Andy Dance was re-elected to a fourth term. A school board and a Palm Coast council race will be decided in August, others won’t be decided until November.
First McDonald, Now Abby Romaine Will Challenge Hansen For County Commission
Abby Romaine, who ran for the seat in 2012 as an independent, is challenging County Commissioner Greg Hansen in the August Republican primary.
Dennis McDonald Files to Run Against Greg Hansen as Sheriff’s Building Fuses Explosive Campaign Issue
Dennis McDonald will challenge County Commissioner Greg Hansen as an independent, with the mess surrounding the Sheriff’s Operations Center leading his decision to run.
We Get It. Trump Is Awful. But Standard-Issue Democrats Are Not an Alternative.
The neoliberal establishment that runs the Democratic Party party holds fast to the very policies that are making it shrink into oblivion, argues John Atcheson.
291 Gun Permits Wrongly Issued, But Adam Putnam Says “Public Safety Was Not At Risk”
An employee stopped running background checks on hundreds of applicants. The problem led to heavy criticism of Putnam amid his campaign for governor.
Campaign Cash Fuels TV Ads for Adam Putnam and Philip Levine in Governor’s Race
As the leading fundraisers in their party primaries for governor, Adam Putnam and Philip Levine have an advantage over their rivals when it comes to reaching voters.
Trouble For 9 Ballot Proposals, But Homestead Expansion and School Board Term Limits Would Pass
Bans on offshore oil drilling and vaping in workplaces and restaurants, new ethics standard for public officials and voting rights to ex-felons would all fail.
Palm Coast Council Appoints Lawyer Vincent Lyon To Complete Steven Nobile’s Term
Vincent Lyon, 46, has been practicing law in Palm Coast since 2013 and works at the Chiumento law firm a few steps from City Hall. He will serve just six months.
Billionaire Investor Jeff Greene Becomes 5th Florida Democrat In Race For Governor
Greene, 63, who lives in Palm Beach two doors down from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2010.
Legalizing Recreational Pot Key Issue For Florida Democrats’ Gubernatorial Candidates
John Morgan calls recreational weed a make-or-break issue for Democratic candidates seeking to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
John Ward’s Insult To Puerto Ricans
John Ward is a GOP candidate for the congressional that includes Flagler. He doesn’t think Puerto Rican storm refugees–American citizens, all–should register to vote in Florida. He’s wrong.
With Pastor Silano In Charge, Opioid ‘Task Force’ Attempts to Take Shape Free Of Candidate’s Hazier Motives
An “opioid task force” created in the shadow of County Commission candidate Joe Mullins’s campaign held its first meeting, with glimmers of potential substance on its future agenda.
It’ll be a Race After All: Jack Howell Will Challenge Jon Netts For Palm Coast Council
Howell, 75, a centrist Republican, has an opinionated, sharp-tongued independent streak and an outsize personality tempered by self-deprecating wit and moderate politics.
Adding To Troubled Run, Flagler Commission Candidate Joe Mullins Blurs Business And Electioneering
Joe Mullins, a candidate for the County Commission seat held by Nate McLaughlin, is blurring the line between campaigning and private business in a series of local involvements, a FlaglerLive investigation found.
Rejecting Manager-Favored Secrecy, Mayor Calls For Open Interviews of Palm Coast Council Candidates For Nobile Replacement
Twice in recent years the Palm Coast Council held closed-door interviews for seat replacements, an approach favored by Manager Jim Landon and rejected by Mayor Milissa Holland.
Heidi Shipley Will Not Run Again For Palm Coast Council After All, Citing Futility
Feeling sidelined at the losing end of 3-2 votes, Heidi Shipley said she won;t run again, but her decision is drawing interest for other candidates in addition to former Mayor Jon Netts.
Jane Gentile-Youd for Flagler County Commission, District 4
Jane Gentile-Youd is running for Flagler County Commission District 4, 2018 election.
Don’t Ask Democrats To Fall On a Sword In Race Aiming To Flip Flagler Seat Blue
Despite Nancy Soderberg’s advantage, fellow-Democrats John Upchurch and Stephen Sevigny say they’ll let voters, not the Democratic Party, decide who should be the nominee in the congressional race.
With Sharpton Headlining, Rally Calls For Restoring Felon Rights After Stinging Court Defeat
The long-planned march followed a late-night ruling from a federal appeals court that gave Gov. Scott a victory in a bitterly fought challenge to the state’s voter-restoration system.
At Flagler Beach Rally, Democrats Charge Blue Wave With Eyes on Flipping Congressional Seat
Congressional Democratic candidates Nancy Soderberg, Stephen Sevigny and John Upchurch all showed at Sunday’s Rally By the Sea by Flagler County Democrats.
Steve Nobile Resigns From Palm Coast Council, Triggering Repeat of 2016 Appointment Dilemma
Citing family health issues, Palm Coast Council member Steve Nobile is resigning his seat in May, repeating the dilemma the council faced when Bill McGuire resigned in 2016.
Voters Will Decide School Board Term Limits and Ending Local Control Over Charter Schools
Under current law, school boards operate and control public schools within their counties. That would end if voters approve a constitutional amendment.
Ballot Proposal Would Ensure Crime Victims Have Their Say in Plea Agreements and Sentencing
The proposal, which will need support from 60 percent of voters in November, would seek to ensure the rights of victims to receive information and provide input during criminal cases.
Flagler Judge Scott DuPont Called “Unfit,” “Outrageous,” “Disturbing,” “Beyond Reckless” and Contemptuous of Law
A devastating 21-page opinion by a disciplinary judicial commission repeats in harsher language a call for Judge Scott DuPont’s removal, a recommendation going before the Supreme Court.
Sheriff Staly’s Heimlich Saves Elected Party Official’s Life at Candidate Forum
Sharon Demers, an elected Republican state committeewoman and a former candidate for school board, was choking when Staly successfully executed a Heimlich maneuver on her.
Trump Expected to Loom Over Nelson-Scott Senate Battle as Governor Announces Run
The Senate contest between Bill nelson and Rick Scott is termed a “proxy battle” about Donald Trump and a referendum by Floridians on Trump’s presidency.
Florida GOP Says It Can Fend Off Blue Wake and Keep “Trump Agenda Alive”
But Florida Republicans, gathering for a convention in Tampa, say they’ll need to increase turnout to retain congressional and legislative majorities and to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
12 Amendments Nearing Ballot, Including Bans on Offshore Drilling and Workplace Vaping, and Home Rule Overrides
The list includes 12 ballot proposals that incorporate 24 potential changes to the Florida Constitution. All of the proposals were initially endorsed by the commission.