Clean Energy in Florida's Senate Race

An inflammatory statement about U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy’s support for cleaner energy could cost him some votes in his Senate race between republican candidate Marco Rubio.

The statement, shared by Americans for Prosperity Florida (APF), says that Murphy’s support for President Barack Obama’s Clean Energy Plan would raise the cost of utility fees by another $500 in the state.

With a closer look into how the Environmental Protection Agency which would reduce carbon emission by 30 percent by 2030 clarifies the APF’s statement as ‘mostly false,’ according to a PoltiFact Florida article.

A study from Energy Ventures Analysis (EVA) suggested that Florida’s electric and gas bill would rise $464 by 2020, but EVA now says the study is outdated due to changes in the energy sector: decreased electricity demand, more solar and wind energy and lower gas prices. Meanwhile, the EPA predicts electricity prices will eventually go down.

What the article doesn’t mention, because it’s beside the fact-check, is how this statement influenced voters, if at all. And while Marco Rubio is telling voters he wants the country to lead the world in renewable energy (and all other energy), he also hasn’t recognized the reality of climate change. He’s is appealing to more voters with this tactic of appearing to support both sides of the energy sector.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/politifact-florida-koch-backed-group-makes-outdated-attack-on-rep-patrick/2295182

After debate, Trump and Clinton will head to Florida

The first presidential debate of 2016 is over. Eighteen of 20 members in a CNN focus group of undecided voters in Orlando said that Clinton won the debate last night.

Now, Trump and Clinton are seeking to gain momentum in Florida.

Trump will head to Miami this afternoon for an invite only meeting with Hispanic Republicans and then to Melbourne International airport in the evening for a rally.

Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, had been campaigning in Florida for the past couple of days in order to get a head start and has just left. Clinton will head to Broward and St. Lucie counties this Friday.

Sources:
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/florida-focus-group-clinton-won-debate/2295367
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/09/26/trump-clinton-head-back-florida-after-debate/91110014/
http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/florida-playbook/2016/09/tough-debate-over-trump-hits-florida-giffords-gun-control-group-is-orlando-bound-schools-chief-pulls-terrible-ad-neo-nazi-fliers-surface-in-jacksonville-216527

Rubio Accepting More Senate Debate Invites

The senate race between Republican incumbent Marco Rubio, and Democrat Patrick Murphy has been getting heated lately.  Many residents of Florida would love the opportunity to see these two leading candidates debate more before the election, however this is proving to be very difficult as the two candidates seem to be having a hard time mutually agreeing to do events together. So far, they have only committed to two events together, but the citizens of Florida want to see more.  Although both camps have expressed interest in having joint events, neither side seems to be compromising in order to make it happen.  Rubio has accepted at least eight invitations for potential debates, however Murphy has not responded to many of those. The dates of these events would require negotiations with Murphy's camp, and there have been no signs of that occurring yet.  On the other hand, Murphy is committed to doing three debates and one candidate forum, however Rubio doesn't want to go over the details of one of the debates and the candidate forum because he senses much bias in Murphy's favor.  Overall, it seems like both candidates are avoiding events that could easily swing in their opponent's favor.

Millennial voters in Florida can end the battle, if they vote

Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers in Florida.

The generation that dominates Florida’s poll attendance in November could strongly influence the outcome of the presidential election, since the state carries 29 electoral votes. Millennials, currently aged 18-34, are the most diverse cohort in Florida with over 50 percent of non-white race. Non-white voters are much less likely to vote for Trump, according to NPR.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/09/19/upshot/florida-poll-clinton-trump.html?_r=0

While there was an increase in voter turnout from millennials during primary season, the age-group still lagged behind the rest of voters, according to the article.

“It's fair to say that the 2016 election is NOT something people are feeling inspired by. Certainly, that's true of young voters as well, with the added frustration that many of the issues they feel so strongly about aren't a major part of the discussion by the major party candidates.”

With the presidential candidates much older than the millennials themselves, it won’t be the candidate’s policies and ideologies that are going to stimulate a passionate turnout from unenthused young voters. If millennials are inspired to vote in large numbers at all, it will likely be because they realize the preventative powers they have in keeping their least favorite candidate out of the White House. 

Source: http://www.npr.org/2016/09/18/493836716/florida-isnt-just-your-grandmas-battleground-state-anymore

Trump is back in action in Florida

Donald Trump has been significantly behind Hillary Clinton in the polling averages from Real Clear Politics since August 3, 2016 until a swift rise in the polls for Trump on August 3, 2016, that surpassed Clinton on September 12, 2016.

Support from many older whites is really keeping Trump in action. The elderly and non-Hispanic whites are most likely to vote. The race in Florida is ultimately about motivating white vs non-white voters. According to Marc Caputo of CNN Politics, "If he can keep Clinton’s white support below 35 percent (Obama won 37 percent, according to 2012 exit polls) and boost white turnout by just a few points, Florida operatives say he’ll likely win the state."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/donald-trump-florida-battleground-228189#ixzz4KQkJjZbL

African Americans, mixed-race voters, and Hispanics are more likely to vote Democrat, but have historically turned out less to vote, yet more likely to turn out during presidential election years. Because of the influence of Republican-leaning Cuban-Americans, Florida Latinos/as have had a slightly lower turnout than in other battleground states. However, the Clinton campaign is investing heavily in the turnout of the Puerto Rican population, which is the fastest growing Hispanic population in Florida and may soon match the numbers of Cuban-Americans in the state.

Trump's support from Republicans has been mixed since his nomination, but his rebound these past couple of days has generated some enthusiasm for him winning the election.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/donald-trump-rebound-gop-insiders-228262

Leading Florida Supreme Court Contenders

Florida Supreme Court Justice James Perry announced that he would be retiring from his position in the high court.  This is due to laws in Florida's constitution that force the retirement of anyone on the court that exceed the age of 70.  Perry is currently 72, but the constitution allows for some leeway to allow the justice to complete their current term if they have less than 3 years left.  Since his term ends later this year, he is legally forced to resign.  Perry traditionally sided with the more liberal justices, however his retirement allows Gov. Rick Scott to appoint a more conservative justice.

The process of appointing a new justice to the state's highest court is a complicated process, however three contenders are standing out early in the process. C. Alan Lawson is the chief judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeal.  He was appointed to that court by Jeb Bush in 2006. He graduated from Florida State University Law School in 1987 with the highest honors.  Daniel J. Gerber is another contender for the position.  He is a partner in the law office of Rumberger Kirk and Caldwell.  He is well trusted by Gov. Scott.  The third leading contender for the high court seat is Wendy Berger.  She is a district judge in the Fifth District Court of Appeal to which Gov. Scott appointed her.  She worked on criminal matters in Gov. Jeb Bush's legal office.

Gov. Scott has generally received positive feedback on his previous judicial appointments from everyone that interacts with them.  It is important to him that he appoints those justices that will put the Florida laws above everything, and treat everyone consistently.

Source:
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/