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Hoteliers endorse 4 Democrats, 6 Republicans in Central Florida legislative races

The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association’s (CFHLA) political action committee and political committee announced their first round of endorsements in Senate and House races, giving support to four Democrats and six Republicans.

“Central Florida’s hospitality industry generates an enormous economic impact for the State of Florida, and we support candidates who recognize this as a top priority,” said Jay Leonard, Chair of the CFHLA PAC and PC and General Manager of the Wyndham and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area.

“We are pleased to endorse this bipartisan group of state candidates for the 2026 election cycle because they understand that a strong tourism industry creates jobs, fuels small businesses, enhances the visitor experience, and strengthens the long-term economic success of our communities.”

In the House, the endorsements are going to Republican Reps. Nan Cobb of House District 26, Erika Booth of House District 35, Rachel Plakon of House District 36 and Doug Bankson of House District 39, along with Republican candidate Emily Duda Buckley in House District 38.

St. Pete City Council tees up referendum package on stormwater, housing and port projects

Isabella Rios stepped before the St. Petersburg City Council with a focused appeal: preserve two vacant lots in Methodist Town as community space, even as the city continues its broader effort to expand affordable and workforce housing.

Her request came the same day Council advanced a slate of November referendum questions for St. Petersburg voters.

Council gave initial approval to four measures, all set for public hearings on July 23. After that, the final ballot language heads to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.

The package covers several issues: whether to remove the Methodist Town and Jamestown-area lots from the city’s protected park and waterfront map, whether to extend the city’s lease of submerged lands at Harborage Marina, whether to increase lease limits at the Port of St. Petersburg, and whether to update Charter language following the city’s move to even-year elections.

Council Members also settled on the order in which the referendums will appear, putting a $600 million general obligation bond for stormwater infrastructure at the top of the ballot.

Badge of approval: With Police Chiefs nod, Byron Donalds bolsters law enforcement backing

Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has now secured backing from the organization representing Florida’s Police Chiefs and more than 1,300 law enforcement executives.

It’s the latest major endorsement in a Governor’s race where he has consolidated support from much of the state’s Republican establishment, as well as the uniformed men and women sworn to protect and serve its people.

At a press conference in Orlando alongside U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, Florida’s immediate past Attorney General, the Florida Police Chiefs Association endorsed Donalds to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.

David Currey, the organization’s President, emphasized Donalds’ engagement with law enforcement leadership and support for police as key to winning its support.

“Congressman Donalds has consistently demonstrated his dedication to those who serve on the front lines,” Currey said.

South Florida’s Palm Beach airport renamed President Donald J. Trump International

A South Florida airport officially changed its name on Thursday to the President Donald J. Trump International Airport.

Signs for the Palm Beach International Airport have been removed, while new signage goes up.

“Because an entire airport transformation doesn’t happen overnight, you’ll notice a combination of both our classic look and our new brand elements coexisting while traveling through the terminal over the next several weeks,” airport officials said in a Facebook post.

“Trump Force One,” a Boeing 757 owned by The Trump Organization, was the first plane to arrive at the airport under its new name, shortly after 5 a.m. The president’s son, Eric Trump, was one of the passengers.

The Trump family regularly uses the West Palm Beach airport when they visit President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in nearby Palm Beach. A stretch of road from the airport to Trump’s estate was renamed Donald J. Trump Boulevard earlier this year.