Steven Lemongello

Orlando

Politics editor at @orlandosentinel • Covering presidential, congressional, and Florida politics • Jersey native, Florida convert

Featured in: Favicon

orlandosentinel.com Favicon

msn.com

yahoo.com (+4) Favicon

latimes.com Favicon

nydailynews.com Favicon

chicagotribune.com Favicon

stuff.co.nz Favicon

thestar.com Favicon

flipboard.com Favicon

seattletimes.com + 105 more

Articles

Florida AG Uthmeier enters legal fray over selling cars directly to customers

4 days ago | orlandosentinel.com | Jeffrey Schweers |Steven Lemongello

The politically powerful auto dealerships in Florida have battled for years to protect their turf, seeking help from the Legislature and state courts in their quest to ensure consumers don't buy cars without them. Now they have a new defender in their latest legal fight, attempting to quash a new Volkswagen subsidiary's plans to sell electric trucks directly to drivers: Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Central Florida Catholics celebrate first U.S.-born pope

6 days ago | orlandosentinel.com | Steven Lemongello |Martin Comas |Natalia Jaramillo

Nancy O'Reilly raised her hands in the air, cheering at the news that an American cardinal was elected as the new pope of the Roman Catholic Church. "I couldn't believe my ears," the Apopka resident said Thursday afternoon. "I was surprised. It's exciting."O'Reilly was just one of many Catholics across Central Florida elated at the choice of Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.
Central Florida Catholics celebrate first U.S.-born pope

6 days ago | yahoo.com | Steven Lemongello |Martin Comas |Natalia Jaramillo

Nancy O’Reilly raised her hands in the air, cheering at the news that an American cardinal was elected as the new pope of the Roman Catholic Church. “I couldn’t believe my ears,” the Apopka resident said Thursday afternoon. “I was surprised. It’s exciting.”O’Reilly was just one of many Catholics across Central Florida elated at the choice of Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.
Court sides with Florida GOP over 'Chinese donors' ad against GOP candidate

1 week ago | orlandosentinel.com | Steven Lemongello

A one-time Republican state Senate candidate from Winter Garden who accused his own party of defamation during an unsuccessful race last year wants to keep his lawsuit going after a judge decided against him. Bowen Kou filed the suit last year after campaign mailers from the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee attacked him for accepting contributions from "Chinese donors" and accused him of profiting off the backs of foreign workers.
DeSantis creates school 'liaisons' to Hope Florida in Orange and Lake

1 week ago | orlandosentinel.com | Steven Lemongello

Amid controversy over its finances, the embattled Hope Florida charity will expand into public schools, with two Central Florida school districts the first to take part, Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced this week. Public schools in Lake and Orange counties will train Hope Florida "liaisons" as part of a Florida Department of Education pilot program, DeSantis said Wednesday at Fruitland Park Elementary School in Lake.
Candidates set in Central Florida special election for seat in state House

2 weeks ago | orlandosentinel.com | Steven Lemongello

The Democratic primary to succeed outgoing state Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis will pit her current chief of staff, RaShon Young, against former state Rep. Travis McCurdy. The special election for District 40 in western Orange County, a heavily Democratic seat which includes parts of Orlando and Ocoee, is the latest domino effect following the death of state Sen. Geraldine Thompson in February.
Is the Democratic Party 'dead' in Florida? Defections cloud 2026 chances

2 weeks ago | gazettextra.com | Skyler Swisher |Steven Lemongello

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - As President Donald Trump jolts the country to the right, Democrats in the Florida Legislature are increasingly quitting, injecting more turmoil into a party that has repeatedly failed to regain power in the once-purple state. The latest is Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo, who unexpectedly announced Thursday in a floor speech he was leaving the party and switching to no-party affiliation. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
Is the Democratic Party ‘dead’ in Florida? Defections cloud 2026 chances

2 weeks ago | thederrick.com | Skyler Swisher |Steven Lemongello

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As President Donald Trump jolts the country to the right, Democrats in the Florida Legislature are increasingly quitting, injecting more turmoil into a party that has repeatedly failed to regain power in the once-purple state. The latest is Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo, who unexpectedly announced Thursday in a floor speech he was leaving the party and switching to no-party affiliation.
Is the Democratic Party 'dead' in Florida? Defections cloud 2026 chances

2 weeks ago | kdhnews.com | Skyler Swisher |Steven Lemongello

By Skyler Swisher and Steven Lemongello - Orlando Sentinel (TNS) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - As President Donald Trump jolts the country to the right, Democrats in the Florida Legislature are increasingly quitting, injecting more turmoil into a party that has repeatedly failed to regain power in the once-purple state. The latest is Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo, who unexpectedly announced Thursday in a floor speech he was leaving the party and switching to no-party affiliation.
Is the Democratic Party 'dead' in Florida? Defections cloud 2026 chances

2 weeks ago | orlandosentinel.com | Skyler Swisher |Steven Lemongello

TALLAHASSEE - As President Donald Trump jolts the country to the right, Democrats in the Florida Legislature are increasingly quitting, injecting more turmoil into a party that has repeatedly failed to regain power in the once-purple state. The latest is Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo, who unexpectedly announced Thursday in a floor speech he was leaving the party and switching to no-party affiliation.