Politics

Pence: Candidates must run ‘as Republicans’ to win in 2024

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence ramped up his criticism of fellow Republicans at a GOP donor summit Friday night, trying to paint his would-be rivals as straying from party principles as he inches closer to an expected presidential run.

Speaking at a Republican National Committee donor summit in Nashville, Pence planned to criticize former President Donald Trump and others who have questioned the war in Ukraine and oppose entitlement reform and further curbs on abortion rights. He argued the party will be better served by candidates who espouse more traditional GOP views, according to excerpts shared by aides ahead of his remarks.

“It’s becoming clearer every day that the upcoming Republican primaries will not just be a contest of candidates but a conflict of visions,” Pence was expected to tell donors. “One vision grounded in traditional Republican principles, and another vision driven by the promise of winning at the expense of our highest ideals.”

He said the party’s route to victory rests on a “well-worn path” it has “traveled for the better part of half a century,” including support for strong national defense, limited government and “traditional” social values.

“We will win if we run boldly as Republicans,” he was expected to add. “We will lose if we run away from that proven American agenda.”

Pence is widely expected to launch a campaign for the White House in the coming weeks that will put him in direct competition with his former boss, who is the frontrunner for the GOP nomination.

Pence, who was a loyal lieutenant to Trump in the White House, has spent the years since he left office distancing himself from the former president. That has included criticizing Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump’s supporters violently stormed the Capitol building as Pence was presiding over the certification of President Joe Biden’s win. Trump was furious with Pence for refusing to go along with his unconstitutional scheme to overturn the results, and the two have been at odds ever since.

In his speech at the retreat, Pence continued to tacitly criticize Trump as well as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another likely candidate, saying the party must “resist the politics of personality and the lure of populism unmoored to timeless conservative values.”

“If 2022 taught us anything, it’s that candidates that were focused on the challenges facing American families did well. But candidates focused on the past, on litigating the last election, did not do well,” he was expected to add. “Elections are always about the future. To win in 2024, the Republican Party must be the party of the future.”

The comments came hours after both men spoke at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention in Pence’s home state of Indiana, where Pence was greeted with a smattering of boos from the crowd. It was a reflection of lingering animosity from Trump’s loyal base, which continues to harbor resentments over Pence’s handling of the 2020 election.

Trump, who will address the donor summit in Nashville Saturday, took a dig at Pence from the NRA stage, telling the crowd he hoped they’d given the former vice president a warm introduction. Still, he called Pence a “nice” and “good man.”

Pence, in his remarks, was expected to continued to criticize those in his party who have questioned U.S. support for Ukraine after Russia’s invasion. “Joe Biden wants to cut defense spending. But for some reason, so do some prominent Republicans,” he was expected to say.

DeSantis last month walked back his characterization of the war as a “territorial dispute” following criticism from a number of fellow Republicans who expressed concern about the potential 2024 presidential candidate’s dismissive description of the conflict.

Pence was also expected to call out Trump for opposing reforms to Social Security and Medicare, such as increasing the age of qualification — once a standard GOP talking point.

“Sadly, our former president has echoed Biden’s pledge ‘not to touch’ Social Security. I think we owe my three granddaughters better,” he was planning to say.

He was also expected to criticize those in his party who are shying away from further restrictions on abortion rights following a series of GOP losses.

“On the heels of the biggest pro-life victory in history, too many Republicans want to run away from the cause that has animated our party for half a century,” he was going to say, according to the excerpts.

Trump has warned that the party risks fallout from tight abortion restrictions, while DeSantis late Thursday signed a 6-week ban into law.

Politics

Jason Pizzo Quits as Florida Senate Democratic Leader, Declares Party ‘Dead’

Published

6 days ago

April 24, 2025

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — In a stunning development Thursday, Senator Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles) abruptly resigned as Florida Senate Democratic Leader, declaring the Democratic Party in Florida “dead” and announcing his switch to No Party Affiliation.

The unexpected move followed months of speculation that Pizzo was eyeing a run for governor in 2026, when Gov. Ron DeSantis will be term-limited.

Pizzo blindsided his Democratic colleagues with a 4-minute floor speech after the day’s legislative session, where he not only announced his resignation but also revealed that he had already FedExed his voter registration form to leave the Democratic Party.

“The Democratic Party in Florida is dead,” Pizzo said. “There are good people that can resuscitate it, but they don’t want it to be me.”

Senator Pizzo is the third Florida state lawmaker to abandon the Florida Democratic Party

Pizzo becomes the third sitting Florida lawmaker to abandon the Democratic Party in the past six months, following State Reps. Susan Valdes of Tampa and Hillary Cassel of Dania Beach, who both switched to the Republican Party.

The announcement sent immediate ripples through the Capitol, with Senate Democrats scrambling to hold a caucus meeting to elect a new leader. In the emergency session, Senator Lori Berman (D-Boca Raton) was chosen as the new Senate Democratic Leader, with Senator Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville) remaining as Leader Pro Tempore.

Senate President Ben Albritton confirmed that Pizzo had notified him of the move shortly before his public remarks.

In a scathing response, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried issued a blistering statement condemning Pizzo as “one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory.”

“Jason Pizzo’s resignation is one of the best things to happen to the party in years,” Fried stated. “His legacy includes disparaging the party base, fighting with members, and chasing personal ambition over Democratic values.”

In 2022, Democrats once hailed Senator Jason Pizzo as a party powerhouse, valuing both his endorsement and his pledge of $500,000 to support Democratic candidates and unseat incumbents. He became known for his blunt, unfiltered remarks — including famously referring to then-Democratic incumbent James Bush as the “Governor’s little b**ch.” Despite the controversy, it appears that both the Florida Democratic Party and Democratic state lawmakers largely gave Pizzo a pass for his comments.

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J Willie David, III
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

Politics

Alan Grayson Shakes Up Senate District 15 Race, Targeting ‘Family Feud’ Candidates, an Attorney, and a GOP Hopeful

Published

7 days ago

April 23, 2025

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The race to fill the late Senator Geraldine Thompson’s Senate District 15 seat has officially turned into one of Central Florida’s most dramatic political battles of the year. Former U.S. Congressman Alan Grayson has officially entered the race, joining Democratic attorney Coretta Anthony-Smith, State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, former State Senator Randolph Bracy III, and Republican Willie J. Montague in a highly anticipated special election.

Governor Ron DeSantis called for a Special Election last week following Thompson’s unexpected passing in February. The Special Primary is scheduled for June 24, 2025, with the Special Election set for September 2, 2025.

A Family Feud Headlines the Democratic Primary

The Democratic side of the ballot will see a rare and highly personal showdown as State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis faces her brother, former State Senator Randolph Bracy III, for the seat. Bracy previously held the Senate District 15 seat. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress and later attempted to reclaim his Senate seat but lost to Thompson in the 2024 primary.

Bracy Davis announced her candidacy, confirming her resignation from the Florida House effective September 1, a day before the final vote in Senate District 15. Florida election law requires candidates to resign from their current seat to run for another office.

Randolph Bracy publicly expressed disappointment at his sister’s decision to enter the race against him, stating:

“This is a sad day for the Bracy name. My sister choosing to run against me dishonors our father’s legacy in every way possible. I will not disparage our father, who believed in this family, by debating my sister in any format.”

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Alan Grayson on a Return Mission

In a statement to Florida Politics, Alan Grayson criticized the current state of the Democratic candidates and elected officials, declaring:

“I’m seeing a pervasive failure on the part of Democratic candidates and elected officials to accomplish anything meaningful.”

Grayson, known for his bold rhetoric and progressive record during his time in Congress, hopes to claim a seat in state politics and offer voters a non-family feud, policy-driven option in the crowded Democratic primary.

Republican Challenger and New Faces

On the Republican side, Willie J. Montague, a faith-based nonprofit founder, will contest for the seat. Democrat Coretta Anthony-Smith, a personal injury attorney, has also filed to run, further diversifying the field.

What’s Next for Senate District 15?

The political landscape in Senate District 15, which covers parts of Orange County, is heating up fast:

Special Primary Election: June 24, 2025
Special General Election: September 2, 2025
LaVon Bracy Davis will officially resign from the Florida House on September 1, 2025, to meet election requirements.
Expect a highly publicized and contentious Democratic Primary as the Bracy siblings square off while Alan Grayson and Coretta Anthony-Smith work to capture the party base.
Republican Willie J. Montague aims to rally the GOP vote for a potential upset in a traditionally Democratic-leaning district.

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J Willie David, III
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

Politics

Florida Legislature Unanimously Passes “Gage’s Law” to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

Published

2 weeks ago

April 17, 2025

FNN NEWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – The Florida Legislature has taken decisive action against the deadly fentanyl epidemic. On Monday, HB 1195/SB 1346 – Fentanyl Testing, also known as “Gage’s Law”, passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate, marking a major bipartisan step in the state’s fight to save lives. The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk for signature.

“Gage’s Law”, sponsored by Senator Tina Polsky (D-Boca Raton) and Representative Rita Harris (D-Orlando), is named in memory of Gage Austin Taylor, a bright and promising young man who died in 2022 after unknowingly ingesting a substance laced with fentanyl.

Key Provisions of the Legislation

Hospitals and campus emergency departments will be required to test for fentanyl in all suspected overdose or poisoning cases.
Mandatory follow-up testing when initial test results are positive.
All fentanyl test results must be preserved in the patient’s official clinical record.

“Fentanyl tears apart communities by claiming lives too soon,” said Senator Tina Polsky. “I’ve been honored to work with Representative Harris, Gage’s mother Gretchin, and countless advocates to pass Gage’s Law, which is a powerful step in fighting the ongoing fentanyl crisis.”

Florida’s Fentanyl Crisis

Florida ranks second in the nation for fentanyl-related deaths.
Nearly 5,000 Floridians died in 2022 due to fentanyl overdoses.
“Gage’s Law” is designed to ensure rapid detection and response, giving medical staff and law enforcement critical tools to combat the epidemic.

“This policy will equip hospitals with the guidance they need to treat fentanyl overdoses while giving law enforcement the tools to hold traffickers accountable, all in honor of those we’ve lost,” added Representative Rita Harris.

What’s Next?

If signed by Governor DeSantis, “Gage’s Law” will take effect on July 1, 2025, becoming one of the most impactful fentanyl-related measures in Florida’s legislative history.