Kate Payne, The Associated Press

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Who is Jimmy Patronis? Florida's chief financial officer wins election to replace Matt Gaetz

Who is Jimmy Patronis? Florida's chief financial officer wins election to replace Matt Gaetz

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- Florida's Republican chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis fended off a challenge by Democrat Gay Valimont to win Tuesday's special election for northwest Florida's 1st Congressional District, which President Donald Trump carried by about 37 points in November.

Who is Randy Fine? Florida state senator replaces Mike Waltz after GOP concern about his campaign

Who is Randy Fine? Florida state senator replaces Mike Waltz after GOP concern about his campaign

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida state Sen. Randy Fine won Tuesday's special election for a vacant congressional seat that the president carried by 30 points less than five months ago.

Democrats outraged at Trump's changes pour millions of dollars into 2 special elections in Florida

Democrats outraged at Trump's changes pour millions of dollars into 2 special elections in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Democrats, with few electoral outlets for their outrage at President Donald Trump's dramatic restructuring of the federal government, are pouring millions of dollars into two special elections in Florida.

'The floodgates have really opened': Democrats raise millions in special House elections in Florida

'The floodgates have really opened': Democrats raise millions in special House elections in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Democrats, with few electoral outlets for their outrage at President Donald Trump's dramatic restructuring of the federal government, are pouring millions of dollars into two special elections in Florida.

Florida lawmakers defy DeSantis in rift over state budget

Florida lawmakers defy DeSantis in rift over state budget

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Once floated as the heir to Donald Trump's GOP, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is used to getting his way in Tallahassee. He has wielded power like no other governor in the state's recent history and enjoys a Republican supermajority in both chambers.

DOGE cuts are testing some conservative voters' faith in special election for Matt Gaetz's old seat

DOGE cuts are testing some conservative voters' faith in special election for Matt Gaetz's old seat

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- As the Trump administration forges ahead with its dramatic reshaping of the federal government, voters in a northwest Florida congressional district that's home to thousands of veterans will be among the first to put the president's agenda to an electoral test.

Florida lawmakers honor the 'trailblazing legacy' of late state Sen. Geraldine Thompson

Florida lawmakers honor the 'trailblazing legacy' of late state Sen. Geraldine Thompson

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- In a state so often bitterly divided along partisan lines, Democrats and Republicans alike were moved to tears as they gathered in Florida's capitol on Thursday to honor the life and legacy of Democratic state Sen. Geraldine Thompson, a longtime legislator, civil rights legend and educator who died on Feb. 13 at the age of 76...

Judge weighs whether to block Florida's social media ban for minors

Judge weighs whether to block Florida's social media ban for minors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A federal judge is weighing whether to block a Florida law from going into effect that would ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds.

After the Tate brothers return to the US, DeSantis says they are not welcome. Here's what to know

After the Tate brothers return to the US, DeSantis says they are not welcome. Here's what to know

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania, have returned to the U.S. after authorities lifted travel restrictions on the siblings, who have millions of online followers.

As DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor, here's what to know about Casey

As DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor, here's what to know about Casey

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The aspirations of Florida's first lady Casey DeSantis have long been a topic of discussion in the state capital of Tallahassee. This week, her husband Gov. Ron DeSantis added to the speculation by talking her up as his potential successor.

Ron DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor and takes a shot at Trump's pick

Ron DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor and takes a shot at Trump's pick

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approaches the end of his second term in office, he's talking up one potential heir to succeed him in 2026: his wife, Casey DeSantis. And he's taking a shot at President Donald Trump 's pick to be the next governor.

DeSantis promotes his wife as next Florida governor and takes a shot at Trump's pick

DeSantis promotes his wife as next Florida governor and takes a shot at Trump's pick

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approaches the end of his second term in office, he's talking up one potential heir to succeed him in 2026: his wife, Casey DeSantis. And he's taking a shot at President Donald Trump 's pick to be the next governor.

Florida files suit against Target, claiming DEI initiatives 'misled investors'

Florida files suit against Target, claiming DEI initiatives 'misled investors'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida's new attorney general filed a federal court lawsuit against Target on Thursday, claiming the discount store chain "misled investors" by promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that prompted a backlash and hurt sales, ultimately costing shareholders.

Florida is rushing to enforce new immigration laws. Here's what to know

Florida is rushing to enforce new immigration laws. Here's what to know

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Days after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed off on immigration legislation he says is the toughest in the nation, Florida's Republican leaders have named the director of the new state board of immigration enforcement: an architect of the controversial effort to fly migrants from Texas to a Massachusetts resort town.

Another Florida university picks a former Republican lawmaker as its next president

Another Florida university picks a former Republican lawmaker as its next president

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Atlantic University on Monday picked a former Republican lawmaker as its leader in what is the latest example of a public university in the state picking someone with a political background for such high-paying posts over experienced academic leaders.

Florida's lieutenant governor gets a university post, handing DeSantis another key appointment

Florida's lieutenant governor gets a university post, handing DeSantis another key appointment

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez has been named the interim president of Florida International University, a move that hands term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis the opportunity to elevate an ally to the powerful position ahead of the 2026 governor's race.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is chosen to fill Marco Rubio's open Senate seat

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is chosen to fill Marco Rubio's open Senate seat

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will take Marco Rubio 's seat in the U.S. Senate, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday, making Moody only the second woman to represent Florida in the chamber.

Florida bill would ban students in the US without legal permission from some public universities

Florida bill would ban students in the US without legal permission from some public universities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida state lawmaker has filed a bill that would ban some public colleges and universities from admitting immigrants who are in the country without legal permission. The proposal comes the day after Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a special legislative session to help implement President-elect Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Florida bill would ban some public universities from enrolling undocumented students

Florida bill would ban some public universities from enrolling undocumented students

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida state lawmaker has filed a bill that would ban some public colleges and universities from admitting undocumented immigrants as students. The proposal comes the day after Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a special legislative session to help implement President-elect Donald Trump's immigration policies.

DeSantis calls special session to implement Trump's immigration policies

DeSantis calls special session to implement Trump's immigration policies

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling state lawmakers into a special session to help carry out President-elect Donald Trump's promises for a swift crackdown on immigration.

DeSantis appoints conservative think tank members to university board

DeSantis appoints conservative think tank members to university board

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed five new members to the board overseeing the University of West Florida in Pensacola, including two people affiliated with the conservative think tank behind Project 2025.

Another Democratic state lawmaker in Florida is joining the Republican party

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Democrats' losses didn't end on Election Day -- a second state lawmaker has announced she's switching her party affiliation and joining the Republican caucus.

Florida requires teaching Black history. Some don't trust schools to do it justice

Florida requires teaching Black history. Some don't trust schools to do it justice

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Buried among Florida's manicured golf courses and sprawling suburbs are the artifacts of its slave-holding past: the long-lost cemeteries of enslaved people, the statutes of Confederate soldiers that still stand watch over town squares, the old plantations turned into modern subdivisions that bear the same name. But many students aren't learning that kind of Black history...

Florida pursues charge against suspect in Trump assassination attempt for a crash after his arrest

Florida pursues charge against suspect in Trump assassination attempt for a crash after his arrest

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida authorities announced Wednesday that they're pursuing a criminal case against a man accused of trying to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump for a car crash that occurred after law enforcement stopped traffic to catch him.

DeSantis appointee says he won't help his elected replacement take office

DeSantis appointee says he won't help his elected replacement take office

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A state attorney in Florida told his staff he can't legally help his elected replacement take over his seat because Gov. Ron DeSantis had already suspended the Democrat from the office, according to an internal email obtained by The Associated Press.

DeSantis aims to appoint Marco Rubio's Senate replacement by early January

DeSantis aims to appoint Marco Rubio's Senate replacement by early January

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Floridians will likely know who their next U.S. senator will be by the beginning of January, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Monday.

As Trump picks Florida men for top jobs, new political possibilities open up in the Sunshine State

As Trump picks Florida men for top jobs, new political possibilities open up in the Sunshine State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- As President-elect Donald Trump names picks for his new administration from his private club in Palm Beach and prepares to return to the White House, he's bringing the Sunshine State with him.

Another Florida college taps a former state lawmaker to be its next president

Another Florida college taps a former state lawmaker to be its next president

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Republican former state lawmaker in northwest Florida who has never worked in academia is poised to become the latest in a string of conservative politicians taking the helm of public colleges and universities in the state.

A Florida school board candidate lost his race. DeSantis appointed him to the board anyway

A Florida school board candidate lost his race. DeSantis appointed him to the board anyway

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida school board candidate who lost his race in a county south of Jacksonville will get a seat on the board anyway, after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis tapped him to fill a vacancy.

Judge continues to block Florida officials from threatening TV stations over abortion ads

Judge continues to block Florida officials from threatening TV stations over abortion ads

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A federal judge on Tuesday continued to block the head of Florida's health department from taking any more steps to threaten TV stations that air commercials for an abortion rights measure on next week's ballot.

Florida officials pressure schools to roll back sex ed lessons on contraception and consent

Florida officials pressure schools to roll back sex ed lessons on contraception and consent

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Some Florida school districts are rolling back a more comprehensive approach to sex education in favor of abstinence-focused lessons under pressure from state officials who have labeled certain instruction on contraception, anatomy and consent as inappropriate for students.

Florida sued for using taxpayer money on website promoting GOP spin on abortion initiative

Florida sued for using taxpayer money on website promoting GOP spin on abortion initiative

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A political committee behind the campaign to pass a constitutional right to abortion in Florida has filed a lawsuit against a state health care agency that it alleges is carrying out a taxpayer-funded "misinformation" campaign against the November ballot measure.

Florida law enforcers are investigating the state's abortion ballot initiative. Here's what to know

Florida law enforcers are investigating the state's abortion ballot initiative. Here's what to know

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- State police in Florida are showing up at the homes of voters who signed a petition to get an abortion rights amendment on the ballot in November as part of a state probe into alleged petition fraud.

Police are questioning Florida voters about signing an abortion rights ballot petition

Police are questioning Florida voters about signing an abortion rights ballot petition

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- State police are showing up at Florida voters' homes to question them about signing a petition to get an abortion rights amendment on the ballot in November, and a state health care agency has launched a website targeting the ballot initiative with politically charged language.

Florida state lawmaker indicted on felony charges related to private school

Florida state lawmaker indicted on felony charges related to private school

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Republican state representative in central Florida has been indicted on felony forgery charges related to her administration of a private Christian school that she helped run with her family.

DeSantis-backed school board candidates face off in Florida

DeSantis-backed school board candidates face off in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis isn't on the ballot Tuesday -- but his education agenda is.

Conservatives are pushing a 'parental rights' agenda in Florida school board races. Will it work?

Conservatives are pushing a 'parental rights' agenda in Florida school board races. Will it work?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Gov. Ron DeSantis' "parental rights" campaign didn't win him the Republican presidential nomination, but he's still waging that fight on another front: Florida's schools, where the movement could have an impact on public education long after he leaves office.

Conservative are pushing a 'parental rights' agenda in Florida school board races. But will it work?

Conservative are pushing a 'parental rights' agenda in Florida school board races. But will it work?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Gov. Ron DeSantis' "parental rights" campaign didn't win him the Republican presidential nomination, but he's still waging that fight on another front: Florida's schools, where the movement could have an impact on public education long after he leaves office.