Florida Politics

President Donald Trump has publicly attacked Representative María Elvira Salazar, a Miami-area Republican, in posts on his Truth Social platform, deepening an escalating rift within the Florida GOP. The exchange between the president and the second-term congresswoman is drawing attention as a test of Trump's influence over Republican lawmakers in South Florida, where Salazar has built her own political brand.

Forbes reports that Joe Strada, a Florida businessman who built a fortune in the heating and air conditioning industry, is on track to become the wealthiest member of the United States Congress. The ranking highlights how entrepreneurs with large private business holdings continue to enter national politics, drawing attention to the role of personal wealth on Capitol Hill.

Brendan Farrington, who covered Florida politics for the Associated Press for decades, has died at the age of 60. Farrington was a familiar byline on the state's political coverage, reporting on governors, legislatures and elections in one of the country's most closely watched political battlegrounds. Colleagues and Florida political figures are paying tribute to his long career.

Florida news outlets report that readers in Brevard County are most engaged by stories on Donald Trump, Flock safety cameras, and state politics. The topics reflect ongoing local debates over surveillance technology on public roads and Trump's continuing influence in Florida's political landscape. Letters and commentary from residents suggest these issues are top of mind across the region.

A political committee called the Better Jacksonville Committee has been formed, which Florida Politics reports is the latest sign that state Representative Wyman Duggan is preparing to launch a campaign for Jacksonville mayor. The filing adds to indications that the Republican lawmaker is moving toward a bid, giving him a vehicle to raise and spend money ahead of an official announcement.

Ashley Gantt has endorsed Ken Welch's bid for re-election as mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida. The endorsement adds a local political voice to Welch's campaign as the 2027 mayoral race takes shape. Welch, the city's first Black mayor, is seeking a second term, and backers are already lining up support ahead of the contest.

Questions are being raised about whether a Miami restaurant campaigning against the city's Referendum 3 ballot measure benefits from a below-market rent arrangement, an arrangement that could suggest a financial motive behind its opposition. The report, published by Florida Politics, examines the restaurant's lease situation as the city's referendum debate intensifies. Details of the rent terms and the restaurant's role in the campaign remain limited.

Chris Messina has announced he wants to bring a new vision to Orange County, according to Florida Politics. Details of his platform and what office he is seeking were not immediately clear, but the messaging suggests a campaign built around change and fresh leadership for the Florida county. Residents and local observers are watching to see what his proposals will include.