Five of today’s top Florida political stories at your fingertips:

Jeb Bush campaign ad released, first of 2016 presidential election – The first radio ad of the Jeb Bush campaign for president (click here to listen) was released on Monday, Feb. 2 in West Palm Beach by Bush supporter TMR Multimedia, and it takes aim at presumptive Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. Entitled, “Running,” the ad lambastes Clinton for her role in the State Department’s reaction to the Benghazi terror attack on the U.S. Embassy and her so-called “reset” in relations with Russia. Read more

Pitbull being wooed by both Republican and Democratic Parties; prefers to just party – The Democrats have long had a firm grasp on Hollywood celebrities and music industry stars, but the Republican Party is not without their notable supporters. Alice Cooper swings to the right, as does Gene Simmons. And now, the conservatives have their sight sets on younger music celebrity: Pitbull. Yes, the Republican party is looking to add Pitbull to their list of supporters, where he would join Gloria Estefan as a Florida resident, Cuban-American Republican party supporter. Read more

Floridians lukewarm on Bush for president, and cold on Rubio, poll finds – A new poll has provided some insight into how Floridians view the political future of two favorite Republican sons in 2016. According to a Mason-Dixon poll, an overwhelming number of Floridians would prefer that Senator Marco Rubio run for re-election rather than for president. Only 15 percent of registered voters in Mr. Rubio’s home state believe he should make a run for the White House, while 57 percent think he should run for another term as senator. Among Republicans, the line improves only slightly, to 19 percent in favor of a presidential run and 68 percent in favor of a re-election campaign. Read more

Florida leads insurance sign-ups, despite political opposition to overhaul – When Florida workers promoting President Obama’s health law marketplace want instant feedback on how they’re doing, they go to an online “heat map.” The map turns darker green where they’ve seen the most people and shows bright red dots for areas where enrollment is high. “The map shows us where the holes are” and which communities need to be targeted next, said Lynn Thorp, regional director of the Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida. She hands out information about the health law’s marketplace at rodeos, farmers markets, hockey games and almost any place where people gather. Read more

Report: More work needed to fix child protection system – A new report from the Florida Institute for Child Welfare — created last year as part of a wide-ranging reform law — calls for state leaders to go well beyond their previous efforts to fix the state’s troubled child-protection system. The 50-page report, submitted Friday to Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, focused on “the need for a statewide, system-wide child welfare strategic plan” that pulls together the disparate parts of Florida’s response to the abuse and neglect of children. Read more

Gone too far? LEGAL front yard gun range has town in hysteria; Florida man faces down lawmakers, neighbors

For more Florida political news, visit BPR’s FLORIDA NEWS page

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Cheryl Carpenter Klimek

Administration
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Latest posts by Cheryl Carpenter Klimek (see all)

• Florida Five: DWS draws serious primary opponent, Legislators haul in $28.5 mil. pre-session - January 18, 2016
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