Politics

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to call for Congress to reject the deal reached by the U.S. Senate which moves towards ending the government shutdown. Chair Fried says the deal does nothing to secure Affordable Care Act tax credits or SNAP benefits and Americans shouldn't trust Republican Congressional leaders like Senator John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson to back up their end of the deal, which promises a vote on continuing those tax credits once they expire at the end of 2025.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia held a news conference in Orlando, where he praised Orlando for how it's government is spending money. He did question $22.3 million in spending and said there were areas still to cut finding. He compared $22M compared to Jackson, Orange County, and Miami-Dade governments. He then challenged those government leaders to look at their budgets. alleged wasteful spending in Orange County and Orlando. According to his numbers, Ingoglia questioned $22 million ins pending by Orlando and

Congressman Byron Donalds, the Trump-endorsed Republican representing Naples, joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to discuss his campaign for Florida Governor to succeed Ron DeSantis. He will face former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner in the Republican primary and one of Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings or former Congressman David Jolly on the Democratic side of the ticket.

Some Florida leaders, politicians, and sheriffs are expecting more New Yorkers to move to Florida after Tuesday's mayoral election.

David Jolly, a former Republican Congressman, is now one of two Democrats running to succeed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2026. Jolly will face Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings in the Democratic primary. Across the aisle, the Democrat will face one of Congressman Byron Donalds, President Donald Trump's pick for Governor, or former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.

Kimberly Leonard, POLITICO Reporter and author of the Florida Playbook newsletter joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom on this Playbook Tuesday, which is also Election Day across America. The pair discuss several high-profile elections for Mayor of the City of Miami, why Floridians should care about the New York City Mayoral Race between Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa, the Orlando City Council elections and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings finally officially entering the Governor's race, competing with Congressman Byron Donalds, former Congressman David Jolly and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has filed his paperwork intending to enter the 2026 Florida Governor's race. As it stands, he will enter the Democratic primary against former Congressman David Jolly in the Democratic Primary. On the Republican side, Trump-endorsed Florida Congressman Byron Donalds and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner vie for the party's nomination.

The federal government shutdown enters Day 31 on All Hallow's Eve. Dr. Aubrey Jewett, a political analyst and UCF Associate Professor joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the political implications behind the continued government shutdown, which forces could bring it to and end and if the Republican majority in the US Senate could follow President Trump's direction to eliminate the filibuster to reopen the government.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is expected to enter the Florida Governor's race for 2026 and challenge David Jolly for the Democratic nomination. Dr. Larry Walker, a political analyst and UCF Associate Professor joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down his chances in a ruby-red Florida and what we could expect from a Jerry Demings gubernatorial campaign.

Florida Democrats are having internal discussions about trying to open its primaries to No Party Affiliated voters, POLITICO reported on Thursday. (Open primaries are currently not allowed under state law.) POLITICO's Gary Fineout joined Florida Live to discuss his reporting, how a move might come about, and what it would mean for elections.

On this Playbook Tuesday with POLITICO Florida, Kimberly Leonard, POLITICO reporter and Florida Playbook author joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the pulse of Florida politics, from key local elections upcoming, the growing consequences of the government shutdown on SNAP, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as President Donald Trump's endorsements for statewide positions in Florida.

UCF Political Science Lecturer John Hanley joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down a new poll from UNF showing the state of the race for Florida's next Governor in 2026. According to the poll, Republicans lead by double digits, regardless of if Congressman Byron Donalds or Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis makes it out of the primary, and whether they face former Congressman David Jolly or Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. The poll also took a look at the top issues facing Floridians, which came out to a focus on housing, property insurance, property tax and the economy.