Democrat Scott Maddox said Monday he wants to make the debate over offshore oil drilling a major issue in his 2010 race for the office of state agriculture commissioner. ...more

November 24, 2009

In the Republican primary for Florida agriculture commissioner, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow seems like a natural.But state Sen. Carey Baker of Eustis intends to put up a fight against Putnam in the primary. Claiming the role of the true conservative in the race, he hopes to turn the race into the kind of ideological battle that's becoming common in the Republican Party. ...more

November 23, 2009

Florida Republicans are hoping to use the health care debate as a rallying cry to win voters in the next election. ...more

August 22, 2009

Farmers will take a bow 7:30 a.m. Aug. 12 at Plant City's annual Salute to Agriculture breakfast. ...more

July 27, 2009

A $410 billion spending bill to fund the federal government through September is drawing criticism for the more than $7.7 billion it contains in so-called "member items." That funding for favored projects of lawmakers includes hundreds of millions of dollars for the Tampa Bay area and other parts of Florida. ...more

March 5, 2009

TAMPA A competitive race with well-known candidates and possible primaries on both sides is developing for the U.S. House seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow. ...more

March 4, 2009

Randy Roberts, government relations director for Publix Super Markets Inc., died suddenly at his Lakeland home Friday morning. ...more

February 28, 2009

Randy Roberts, government relations director for Publix Supermarkets Inc., died suddenly at his Lakeland home this morning. ...more

February 27, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist has pursued his political career through five offices in 17 years, and now is looking at a sixth, the U.S. Senate. ...more

February 23, 2009

BARTOW (AP) - U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam would rather be in Florida. Joined by friends and family Thursday in his Bartow hometown, the 34-year-old former state legislator and five-term Republican congressman formally announced his plans to run for Florida agriculture commissioner. ...more

February 20, 2009