Rick Scott

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, here in June, said this week that the state's troubled unemployment portal was designed to discourage people applying for benefits. The portal launched in 2013 under then-Gov. Rick Scott, now a U.S. senator.

Gov. Says Florida's Unemployment System Was Designed To Create 'Pointless Roadblocks'

7:30pm August 06, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

Gov. Ron DeSantis says the portal was designed to frustrate users, "so people just say, oh, the hell with it, I'm not going to do that." Florida has been among the slowest states to process claims.

Then-Georgia Secretary of State, and Republican nominee for governor, Brian Kemp attends an election night event in Athens, Georgia. As secretary of state, Kemp was charged with overseeing the election logistics for the election he was running in.

Politics & Government

Partisan Election Officials Are 'Inherently Unfair' But Probably Here To Stay

5:00am November 29, 2018

by Miles Parks

It would take a massive overhaul of state laws to make election administration truly nonpartisan. Voters say they want it, and experts are calling for it, but it probably isn't coming any time soon.

Even before the recounts were done, Gov. Rick Scott attended freshman orientation this past week at the Capitol. Scott is seen here at a rally in Orlando on Nov. 2.

Politics & Government

Republican Rick Scott Wins Florida Senate Seat Over Incumbent Bill Nelson

4:22pm November 18, 2018

by Jessica Taylor

Ultimately, even a hand recount didn't shift the final margin of the race too much. Scott's win means Republicans have picked up two Senate seats even as the GOP lost substantial ground in the House.

Volunteer observers keep watch Friday as election workers at tables examine ballots during a hand recount of votes cast in Palm Beach County for the U.S. Senate race.

After Nearly 2 Weeks and 2 Recounts, Florida Senate Race Ends

3:33pm November 18, 2018

by Miles Parks

Nearly two weeks after Election Day, a statewide recount showed that Republican Gov. Rick Scott continued to hold the lead in the Senate race against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.

A woman sets up tables for hand-counting ballots in Palm Beach County on Thursday.

Politics & Government

Hand Recounts Progress In Florida Senate Race

3:32pm November 16, 2018

by Miles Parks

The state is tasked with hand-counting more than 50,000 ballots. Some counties finished quickly Friday morning, with official results due on Sunday. Lawsuits are still working through the courts.

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Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott has declared victory in Florida, but the Democrat incumbent, Bill Nelson, is calling for a recount.

In Florida Senate Race, Razor Thin Margin May Lead To Recount

4:37pm November 07, 2018

by Debbie Elliott

The much-watched Florida Senate race may be headed for a recount as Republican Rick Scott's lead over Democrat incumbent Bill Nelson narrows.

Ron DeSantis meets with supporters at a rally Monday in Orlando, Fla.

Politics & Government

Andrew Gillum Concedes To Ron DeSantis In Tight Florida Governor Race

11:32pm November 06, 2018

by Colin Dwyer

DeSantis, a Republican, appears to have edged his Democratic opponent, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, for the governorship. Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Nelson's re-election bid remains too close to call.

Green algae is seen in the St. Lucie River in Stuart, Fla. Local GOP Rep. Brian Mast is making legislation to deal with the algae problem a focus of his re-election campaign, as his Democratic opponent Lauren Baer criticizes him for doing "too little, too

Politics & Government

Toxic Algae Seeps Into Florida Congressional Races

5:11pm September 10, 2018

by Greg Allen

Republican candidates are speaking up about environmental issues that have plagued Florida's waters — and tourism industry — this summer, as Democrats say their opponents haven't done enough.

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The company behind a privately funded passenger train line in Florida has proposed a route that would connect Orlando and Tampa.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott Has Convoluted Ties To Rail Company Whose Project He Supports

5:03pm August 17, 2018

by Camila Domonoske

In 2011, Scott rejected a federally funded rail project; now he supports a privately funded one. He and his wife invested millions with an investment firm that owns the company behind the proposal.

More than 150,000 Floridians had their voting rights restored during former Gov. Charlie Crist's four years in office. In the seven years since then, current Gov. Rick Scott has approved restoring voting rights to just over 3,000 people.

Felons In Florida Want Their Voting Rights Back Without A Hassle

11:06am July 05, 2018

by Greg Allen

One of out every 10 adults in Florida is not eligible to vote because of a state law that prevents former felons from doing so without a lengthy process. There are efforts underway to change that.

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