Sayfie Review Roundup - May 9, 2015
Florida's top headlines that attracted the most
readers on Sayfie Review this week
Marc Caputo - Politico - May 5, 2015
...The Republican race for Florida's soon-to-be open Senate seat has the potential makings of a primary bloodbath, pitting the establishment wing of the party and insurgent movement conservative groups against each other as they prepare to pick sides between Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Rep. Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis made his candidacy official Wednesday and unveiled the support of influential Washington conservative groups, one of which immediately bashed Lopez-Cantera, whose allies intend to start rolling out a leadership and super PAC in anticipation of a formal campaign announcement in coming weeks.
Steve Bousquet - Tampa Bay Times - May 4, 2015
...Florida Gov. Rick Scott acted swiftly Monday to reappoint the heads of 16 state agencies who slipped into political limbo when the Senate refused to confirm them in the 2015 legislative session.
The group includes heads of major agencies that oversee health care, Medicaid, transportation, prisons, elections and the environment, as well as the executive director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, confirmed Monday that the blocked confirmations were at least in part the result of the way Scott's administration dealt with senators.
"The Senate confirmation process should be more than a simple rubber stamp," Gardiner said in a statement. "Toward the end of session, I heard from many senators who were not satisfied with some of the answers provided or still had some outstanding questions for several agency heads."
Sources: Grayson's girlfriend wants his House seat
Kyle Cheney and Marc Caputo - Politico - May 5, 2015
...Grayson's statement bashing insiders for trying to "choose our party nominee" has a measure of irony in light of Minning's interest in running for the seat. Minning's potential candidacy could cause a rift in Grayson's own office because his district director and longtime campaign adviser, Susannah Randolph, is considering a bid for the congressional seat if he vacates it.
"I wouldn't say I'm interested. Yeah, I'd consider it for sure. But that's only if Alan runs for Senate, and I'm not sure if that's going to happen or not," she said. "It all depends on what Alan does, and there's no set course."
When asked about the reports of Minning's interest in the seat, Randolph said she was surprised. "I'm speechless," Randolph said.
