Topic: Cabinet Races

AHCA's chief regulator of assisted living facilities leaves the agency for a lobbying group which has opposed new ALF regulations, DEP hires a communication director and Gov. Scott beefs up his campaign staff.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has come under fire since Florida joined 20 other states on Feb. 3 in filing a legal brief supporting an appeal by the American Farm Bureau and other groups. "Come on, no one wants dirty water," she told an audience at the University of Florida. "What this is about is the EPA overreach."

During the January 2014 campaign finance reporting period, Gov. Rick Scott led the pack in contributions with $734,000 to his campaign and $3.4 million to his PAC. Incumbent Cabinet members also had impressive hauls. Read more ...

AP editors and Capitol reporters get a presession preview with a side of politics from the incumbents' opponents Charlie Crist and Nan Rich, and George Sheldon and Perry Thurston.

The Miami Republican is named to the post 10 months after former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resigned after being questioned in a charity gambling scandal.

Governor Rick Scott touts his economic record at the annual state Republican conference in Orlando on Saturday.

If he gets it, Gov. Rick Scott could fill the Cabinet vacancy. The university's selection committee is expected to narrow its list of at least 48 candidates to eight applicants next week. The Florida Atlantic University board of trustees plans to select a president Jan. 17.

Political junkies who focus on Florida anticipate this type of year. As the governor, Cabinet, all eligible state House members and half the Senate make their cases to stay in office, their opposition will pitch how they'd do a better job. It will be a year of promises and debate, mudslinging and outrage, and likely stratospheric sums spent on campaigns. So here's a look at the Sunshine State's political calendar for the coming year.

Eleven months out from the November 2014 elections, incumbents are padding their campaign accounts, but Republicans looking to retake seats lost in the 2012 election cycle posted impressive cash hauls last month.

Adrian Wyllie, libertarian candidate for Florida governor in 2014, could be a crucial factor in the outcome of the race, even if he doesn't win. But he could be shut out of televised debates, just as the libertarian candidate for governor in Virginia has been. ... Related Research: Criteria for Participation in the Decision 2012 Debates, and August 2013 Florida Statewide General Survey from St. Pete Polls.

A reader poll indicates that how Gov. Rick Scott and the state Republican leadership have handled Obamacare influenced how readers will vote in next year's elections.

Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association plan to sponsor forum so the final candidates for governor will meet during campaign's final month. ... Related Research: Press release, "'Decision 2014: Before You Vote' Debate to Give Florida Voters Front-Row View of Gubernatorial Candidates."

Central Florida Urban League leader Allie Braswell is leaving the race after just four days after the Florida Times-Union reported he has filed for bankruptcy three times. ... Related Research: Statement from CFO Candidate Allie Braswell.

Central Florida Urban League president and CEO Allie Braswell jumps into the race for the Cabinet seat.