Government and politics

It’s a battle between the experienced and a political newcomer in the Alachua County Commission District Four race between incumbent Cynthia Moore Chestnut and real estate agent Susan Baird. Florida’s 89.1, W-U-F-T’S Empriss Campbell previews the upcoming race. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/districtfourrace.mp3]

The Florida House District 22 seat held by House Speaker Larry Cretul from Ocala is up for grabs. Cretul is leaving because of term limits. 89.1 WUFT FM’s Patrick Colden reports on the two men vying for the seat, Democrat Jon Paugh and Republican Keith Perry. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/district22race.mp3]

This election season, candidates who have never before been involved in politics have been making names for themselves. Florida’s District 6 congressional race is certainly no exception, as Republican incumbent Cliff Stearns takes on political newcomer Steve Schonberg. Florida’s 89.1 Trent Kelly has more. Florida Republican Congressman Cliff Stearns is …

Former state representative Perry Mcgriff is challenging the incumbent and former Alachua County Sheriff Steve Oelrich. The republicans currently hold 26 of 40 seats in the Florida house and can secure a two-thirds majority of the senate with a victory. The district includes Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Union, and parts of …

The Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry in conjuction with the City of Gainesville is hosting a ten day public education and awareness campaign starting Friday (October 1) and going through the 10th of October. 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Ricardo Navarro spoke with the Director of the campaign Thereasa Lowe. …

Former Florida Governor Buddy MacKay will speak at the University of Florida’s Bob Graham Center for Public Service on Thursday evening (September 23rd). MacKay stepped in as Governor after Lawton Chiles died unexpectedly in 1998. It was just one month before Jeb Bush assumed the office. MacKay is a former …

The Florida Primary is less than a week away and candidates and voters alike are gearing up their campaigns. There’s only one county commission seat on the primary ballot for District 2 and WUFT-FM’s Olivia Link has more on that race. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/2CoRaceD.mp3]

Florida’s lawmakers rejected Governor Charlie Crist’s plan to place a constitutional ammendment on the November ballot to ban off-shore drilling in a special session Tuesday. Many continue to criticize the governor’s motives to call a special session in the first place, saying he put politics over policy to get ahead …

Senate President Jeff Atwater sent a letter to House Speaker Larry Cretul Thursday suggesting that several issues related to the Gulf oil spill need quick attention from lawmakers – but that next week is too quick. Gina Jordan reports. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/4session.mp3]

Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater is calling for a second special session to deal with problems flowing from the BP Oil Spill. James Call reports, Atwater is suggesting lawmakers meet in late August or early September to streamline the claims process. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/sessiontwo.mp3]