JD Alexander, a Lake Wales Republican who wielded great influence in the Florida Legislature for four years in the Florida House and 10 years in the Senate, said he has decided not to run for his old Senate seat again. But he hasn’t endorsed anyone in that race yet. “ A part of me wanted to run but I sat down on the July the Fourth week and decided the personal costs are too high for my family and business,”…
Remember former Sen. J.D. Alexander, the Lake Wales Republican who almost single-handedly created Florida Polytechnic University by use of his power as Senate Appropriations chair? Alexander has been out of the Senate for almost five years, but it would appear that the old power cell is still charged and ready to zap when needed. Polk County Commissioner George Lindsey recently praised Alexander saying he was the main reason that budget cuts that would have shut PSC’s JD Alexander Center in…
Baxter Troutman has made it official. The Winter Haven Republican filed to run for Agriculture Commissioner on Monday, joining an already crowded field vying to replace Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in 2018. Troutman filed the necessary paperwork Monday, and opened his campaign account with a personal contribution of $2.5 million, according to his campaign. “For two decades, I’ve been building a business and continuing my work in Florida agriculture. Real experience and success in the private sector is what we…
The Central Florida citrus industry appears to be coming out in full force to support Sen. Denise Grimsley’s bid for Agriculture Commissioner. Grimsley is scheduled to hold a fundraising reception Florida’s Natural Grove House in Lake Wales on Feb. 28. While the invitation notes a host committee is still being formed, the backers listed on the invitations reads like a who’s who of the Central Florida agriculture and political leaders. Among Grimsley’s supporters: Bob Behr, the former commissioner and CEO…
Not only is JD Alexander not running for Commissioner of Agriculture, he’s thrown his support behind state Sen. Denise Grimsley‘s bid for the office. Alexander, who was term limited out of the Florida Senate in 2012, is even hosting a “fundraising reception” for Grimsley at his Lake Wales home. The longtime lawmaker who spearheaded the creation of Florida Polytechnic University had been the subject of rumors that industry heads were pushing him to consider running for the statewide office. “I have been…
Florida Polytechnic University’s main building that looks a louvered flying saucer at rest “now ranks as one of the 16 “most breathtaking” buildings in the world, the school said in a Monday press release. “Business Insider’s ‘Tech Insider’ magazine surveyed 16 prominent architects, asking each to pick just one structure they fondly think of as ‘breathtaking,’” the release said. This latest survey puts it in the same ranks as “the Parthenon in Greece, the Empire State Building and Frank Lloyd…
Terry Parker has been named the new provost of Florida Polytechnic University, effective September 1. President Randy K. Avent announced the appointment Monday. Parker, an engineering researcher, most recently served as Provost and Executive Vice President of the Colorado School of Mines, according to a press release. “As Provost at Florida Poly, Parker will oversee all aspects of the academic experience, from recruiting students and steering curriculum, to hiring professors and securing research grants amid Florida Poly’s growth,” the release said. “Adding…