Kimberly Leonard

Miami

National and Florida Politics Reporter at POLITICO

Florida Playbook author. National and Florida politics reporter for @Politico. Send tips to [email protected].

Articles

A closer look at congressional fundraising

1 week ago | politico.com | Kimberly Leonard |Isa Dominguez

Kimberly Leonard is a politics reporter and author of Florida Playbook, based in Miami. Her coverage focuses on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former President Donald Trump and the future of the conservative movement in the state. She has extensive experience covering financial disclosures, spending projections, and health care policy. Kimberly previously worked as a senior Florida politics correspondent for Insider.
What to watch in Hope Florida’s high-stakes hearing

1 week ago | politico.com | Kimberly Leonard |Arek Sarkissian |Isa Dominguez

Arek Sarkissian came to POLITICO Florida in December 2017 to cover regulated industries in one of the fastest growing states in the country. Sarkissian served as the bureau chief for the Naples Daily News for more than two years. During his tenure, his investigative reporting on VISIT FLORIDA prompted the Legislature to pass tougher contract restrictions.
Democrats hope for ‘tipping point’ on education

1 week ago | politico.com | Kimberly Leonard

“Florida is always the bellwether for the Republican playbook,” Arne Duncan said in an interview after the town hall. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP Good morning and welcome to Monday. Republicans have racked up plenty of wins in their efforts to reshape education, especially in Florida. Gov.
Opening the books on '26 fundraising

1 week ago | politico.com | Kimberly Leonard |Gary Fineout |Isa Dominguez

The latest batch of state campaign finance reports that were due on Thursday before midnight show the Florida Freedom Fund raised $1.6 million. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images Good morning and happy Friday. Gov. RON DESANTIS is still raising money from the political committee he used to successfully defeat amendments on pot and abortion.
Dramatic Wednesday, uncertain future

2 weeks ago | politico.com | Kimberly Leonard |Gary Fineout |Isa Dominguez

The governor will eventually have to sign off on the budget and the tax cut plan. | Rebecca Blackwell/AP Good morning and welcome to Thursday. One could say this year’s legislative session has been a bumpy ride for Gov. RON DESANTIS so far — a far cry from recent years, in which the governor’s agenda usually sailed through with minimal opposition.
Venezuelans with TPS can stay - for now

2 weeks ago | politico.com | Kimberly Leonard |Isa Dominguez

MORE HOUSE SUPPORT — Seven more Republicans from the Florida delegation are endorsing their colleague Rep. BYRON DONALDS for governor, reports POLITICO’s Dasha Burns. They are: Reps. BRIAN MAST, SCOTT FRANKLIN, MARIO DIAZ-BALART, MARÍA ELVIRA SALAZAR, DANIEL WEBSTER and JOHN RUTHERFORD. They also include LAUREL LEE, the former Florida secretary of state and the only member of the Florida delegation who’d endorsed Gov. RON DESANTIS over DONALD TRUMP in the 2024 presidential primary.
Where Florida’s lawmakers stand on tariffs

2 weeks ago | politico.com | Kimberly Leonard |Isa Dominguez

GATORS WIN! Congrats to the men’s basketball national champions, the University of Florida Gators, who defeated the Houston Cougars 65-63 in San Antonio on Monday night. Assuming we’ll probably see a little more gator chomping than usual around the Capitol today. (At least a lot more than is usual in Tallahassee!)Something that caught our eye off the court: Gov. RON DESANTIS and state Sen. BLAISE INGOGLIA, a DeSantis ally who hopes to be Florida’s next CFO, snapping a photo from the game.
‘Hardest right hook in the business’

2 weeks ago | freerepublic.com | Kimberly Leonard

Free RepublicBrowse · SearchGeneral/ChatTopics · Post ArticleSkip to comments. DC, get ready for Randy Fine (FL): ‘Hardest right hook in the business’Politico ^ | April 7 | By Kimberly LeonardPosted on by RandFanCongress has seen plenty of firebrands and confrontational lawmakers — especially from Florida. But Washington still might be in for a shock when it comes to Randy Fine.
This is Fine: Florida sends a bare-knuckle brawler to Congress

2 weeks ago | politico.com | Kimberly Leonard

He recently became irritated with a pro-Palestinian activist who was testifying at a hearing and dismissed the man with, “Enjoy your terrorist rag.” When people began to protest, he threatened to empty the room. “I’m the chairman, I can say what I want,” he said. “If you don’t like it, you can leave.” And most eye-popping of all, he’s been a frequent foil of Gov.
The teen behind ‘Brooke’s Law’

2 weeks ago | politico.com | Kimberly Leonard

This afternoon, she’ll be speaking before a state House panel about how she was a “deepfake” victim when she was 16. | Courtesy of Brooke Curry Good morning and welcome to Monday. The teen behind “Brooke’s Law” is ready to tell her story. The namesake of the bill is BROOKE CURRY. She’s an 18-year-old high school senior and cheerleader at Bishop Kenny High School who’s headed to Florida State University, where she’s planning to major in sales and go into real estate.