Florida
Need help learning about the candidates in Florida? These guides can help
ORLANDO, Fla. – Hundreds of candidates are running for elected office across Central Florida in August and November. Now is a good time to start thinking about who you want to vote for.
In the Aug. 20 Florida Statewide Primary alone, voters will decide on candidates for:
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U.S. Senate
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U.S. House
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Florida Senate
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Florida House
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County Commission
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School Board Members and many more
[RESULTS 2024: Want to vote in Florida? Here’s how to register and make sure you are eligible]
And while the election is a primary, there will be candidates on the ballot for every voter, even ones who aren’t affiliated with a political party — important races like school board, or even universal primaries open to all candidates.
If you want to make sure you choose a candidate who suits your beliefs and priorities, you may want to do a little research.
Fortunately, there are voting guides out there that can help you with that, both partisan and nonpartisan.
How to learn what races will be on your ballot
Registered voters should be getting their sample ballots in the mail from their county supervisors of elections. These ballots tell you exactly what races you’ll be deciding on based on where you live and your party preference.
If you have not gotten your sample ballot yet, you can find your ballot on your county supervisor of elections website.
Find out how incumbent lawmakers voted
Digital Democracy Project is a nonpartisan group that looks at important bills, asks Floridians what they think of the bills, and then reports on how each lawmaker voted. The idea is to show whether a lawmaker’s vote on an issue lines up with the opinion of the voters that lawmaker represents.
The project began in 2023 with the Florida Legislature. This year they have expanded to track votes on Congressional bills as well.
Anyone can sign up to be a part of the public opinion gathering. Each week Digital Democracy Project asks voters to decide on a number of bills.
Then they post how each area votes on a bill using a handy map. When a vote on a bill comes down, it’s added to each lawmaker’s scorecard.
To sign up to be a voter, head to the Digital Democracy Project website and learn how to download the app.
GovTrack is another site that tracks the votes of lawmakers at the federal level. You can find how senators and representatives vote on particular issues and sign up for alerts when votes come up or new laws are enacted. GovTrack will also help you figure out who your lawmakers are. GovTrack is well known and has been around since 2004.
Follow the money
For many people, who supports a candidate with funds matters. While dark money groups allow donors to mask their donations, there is still a lot of donor information that is out in the open. Candidates and political action committees (PACs) are supposed to report those donations.
For candidates for federal office, the Federal Election Commission keeps a campaign finance database on its website. You can search donations by candidate or PAC, or by individual donor.
Another great resource to look at federal candidate donations is OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan group that tracks money in politics across the political spectrum. You can track donations to candidates and political groups, look at how interest groups are spending money to influence politicians, and has donor information.
At the state level, the Florida Division of Elections keeps a campaign finance database on candidates for state office and political action committees. This is useful because if you get political mailers, you can look up the group listed on the mailer and see who is backing them. You can find the database on the Division of Elections website.
Want to see campaign finance information for county candidates? Head to your county’s supervisor of elections website. They have campaign finance data there.
Nonpartisan voter guides
The League of Women Voters, with the help of an army of volunteers, maintains voter guides for elections in every state, at every level of government. They are posted on the Vote 411 website.
The LWV is a nonpartisan group borne out of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. They’ve maintained Vote 411 since 2006. People who go to the site can look up information on candidates using just their home address, but they can look up candidates in other areas as well.
LWV sends out a questionnaire to all candidates, the same questions depending on the race, and it is up to candidates to fill out the questionnaire and return it. It’s entirely voluntary, so there may not be responses from every candidate.
You can check out Vote411 on the League of Women Voters website.
Now, when you go through your ballot and you see all of the judges up for election, what do you do? Do you know who they are? Do you leave them blank?
The Florida Bar makes understanding what the heck you are voting for a lot easier.
The legal group has a voting guide called “The Vote’s in Your Court,” and it is an easy-to-read guide to understanding what the judges do, what the differences are between all the different courts, and why we vote for judges.
They also post candidate responses to a voluntary survey, like the League of Women Voters does. Not all judges submit these voluntary self-disclosure statements. The ones who do at least give you some information to work with.
While many county and circuit judgeships may have been decided in the August primary, other judges will be on the ballot: these are the merit retention polls for appeals court judges and some Florida Supreme Court justices.
Voters get to decide every few years whether judges in these courts get to retain their seats. If they are voted off their respective benches, new judges are appointed.
Find “The Vote’s in Your Court” guide on the Florida Bar website.
One thing neither the League of Women Voters nor the Florida Bar does is endorse candidates. But other organizations do.
Voting guides and scorecards by interest group
You can also check out the various organizations that operate in Florida. While not all of them do candidate endorsements, some of them offer legislative scorecards. These are ratings of how state lawmakers handle issues these groups care about.
Here’s a list of organizations with legislative scorecards and/or endorsements.
Florida Education Association: This is the state teachers union.
Equality Florida: One of the leading LGBTQ advocacy groups in the state.
National Rifle Association – The leading firearm interest group.
Florida Chamber of Commerce: This is the state’s leading business group.
Sierra Club: One of the top environmental groups in the country.
Americans for Prosperity: A small-government advocacy group with ties to the conservative Charles Koch.
Florida Family Action: This is a faith-based political group.
Heritage Action For America: A conservative group that has a scorecard for federal officials.
AARP: The leading group for seniors has an election guide that includes a legislative voting record.
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Charmaine Hickey, of Lang Realty in Port St. Lucie, was named in KNOW Women’s “100 Women to KNOW in America” list.
A Treasure Coast woman was named in a “100 Women to know in America” list for 2026.
KNOW Women is a global media company dedicated to giving women leaders connections and visibility. The company released a list of “100 Women to know in America” for 2026 to highlight the most influential women in business and leadership.
Charmaine Hickey, who works for Lang Realty in Port St. Lucie, was on the list.
“Charmaine’s recognition on a national stage like this comes as no surprise,” said Scott Agran, president of Lang Realty in a news release. “Her leadership, integrity, and commitment to both her profession and her community exemplify what this award stands for. She represents the very best of our industry.”
Hickey holds many industry designations and is known for her expertise in complex real estate transactions, as well as her client-first approach defined by honesty, patience and attention to detail, according to the news release.
Her community involvement includes serving on nonprofit boards, mentoring emerging leaders and supporting initiatives focused on education, women, families and youth.
“I am truly honored to be recognized among such an inspiring group of women,” said Hickey in the news release. “This award reflects not just individual achievement, but the power of community, mentorship, and lifting others as we grow. I’m grateful to be part of a network of women who are building meaningful impact every day.”
To see the full list go to theknowwomen.com.
Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.
A Florida surgeon who is facing criminal charges after allegedly removing a patient’s liver instead of his spleen has said he is “forever traumatized” by that person’s death.
In a deposition from November that was recently obtained by NBC, 44-year-old Thomas Shaknovsky described the death of 70-year-old William Bryan as an “incredibly unfortunate event that I regret deeply”.
Bryan died after the botched surgery; and in April, a grand jury in Tallahassee indicted Shaknovsky on a charge of manslaughter.
“I’m forever traumatized by it and hurt by it,” Shaknovsky added, also saying that wrong-site surgeries can happen “during difficult circumstances”.
The deposition provided Shaknovksy’s first detailed account of the operation that killed Bryan and eventually garnered national news headlines.
According to Shaknovksy’s deposition, after removing Bryan’s liver, the surgeon instructed a nurse to label the organ as a “spleen” – and he also identified it as a spleen in Bryan’s postoperative notes. Shaknovsky later said he had been “mentally compromised” at the time of Bryan’s death, explaining that he was “devastated, demoralized, crying over his passing, felt that I failed him”.
A lawsuit filed by Bryan’s widow, Beverly Bryan, accuses Shaknovsky of medical malpractice. The suit alleges that he “wrongfully omitted any reference to Mr Bryan’s liver being removed in order to ‘cover up’ his gross negligence/recklessness and to hopefully avoid the embarrassment due to such derelict care”, as NBC reported.
In April, the Walton county sheriff’s office said in a statement that Shaknovsky’s actions inflicted on Bryan “catastrophic blood loss and the patient’s death on the operating table”.
Shaknovsky’s deposition testimony described the chaos in the operating room after Bryan began bleeding extensively, causing his heart to stop. Medical staff performed chest compressions, and Shaknovsky attempted to find where the bleeding was coming from.
“I couldn’t tell the difference because I was so upset,” he said, referring to the organ he mistakenly identified.
“It was like a overflown sink that’s clogged up, and I am looking for a fork at the bottom, trying to feel and find the bleed, and I was not able to do so,” Shaknovsky said. He added: “After 20 minutes of struggling – desperately trying – to save his life, that’s when the wrong-site event took place.
“It’s a devastating thing, which I will have to live with the rest of my life,” Shaknovsky said in the eight-hour deposition reviewed by NBC. “I think about it every single day.”
After the medical team was unable to resuscitate Bryan, Shaknovsky said he went to the hospital’s medical library. “I went there to cry because I was devastated,” he said. “I didn’t want the staff to see me like that.”
Despite a spleen typically being significantly smaller than a liver, Shaknovsky said he believed Bryan’s spleen was “double the size of what is normal” because of a mass on it. Beverly Bryan’s lawsuit, however, states that a medical examiner told her that her husband’s spleen was anatomically “nearly normal”, according to NBC.
Shaknovsky would face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if eventually convicted as charged.
Omelet, taco and chicken salad joints are in, while spaghetti gelato, pizza and (for now) wing places are out.
At least when it comes to recent openings and closings on the Southwest Florida foodie scene, that is.
Let’s begin this recap of events in Cape Coral, where a popular breakfast-and-lunch restaurant made its long-awaited debut.
This is where the omelets come in…
House of Omelets
The fourth location of this popular breakfast and lunch restaurant made its highly anticipated debut along Cape Coral Parkway on Monday, May 4.
“It’s amazing,” owner Toni Dedaj said. “I’m very happy. I like this area, the way Cape Coral is growing. And this building is beautiful.”
That building is the eye-catching Bimini Square off Cape Coral Parkway. House of Omelets, which anchors the first-floor northeast corner unit, has a classic European feel. With seating for 89 inside and 40 outside, it’s about half the size of Dedaj’s Pine Island Road location.
“We like it,” he said. “We still have the big menu, but we like the smaller seating area. Service is more personal.”
And speaking of that menu (the same you’ll find at all House of Omelets locations), it is indeed huge, with about 30 signature omelets alone. Add in all the egg dishes (House Slam is a best seller), favorites (like corned beef hash and chicken & waffles), off the griddle dishes (multiple pancake, French toast and waffle options), Benedicts and crepes, and we’re already up to huge without even getting to the lunch items.
Those include appetizers, salads, signature sandwiches (from lobster grilled cheese to Philly steak), burgers & melts, and pitas & wraps. Free parking can be found in the parking garage, shared with neighboring Bimini Basin Seafood.
“It’s easy in and out,” Dedaj said. “Very easy. Come visit us.” Find it at 440 Cape Coral Parkway; (239) 360-8083; there are two locations in Cape Coral and one each in Fort Myers and Naples. Go to houseofomelets.com or follow on Instagram.
Chicken Salad Chick
More than 100 customers were waiting outside when this chicken salad-loving, fast-casual restaurant opened its new Cape Coral location on April 29. Located in the Shops at Del Sol (near Swig!), Chicken Salad Chick has 13 different types of chicken salad, including traditional, fruity & nutty, savory and spicy flavors. Get it in one or two scoops, in a sandwich, in a melt (Bacon cheddar or chicken) or in a BLT. A turkey club is also available. It’s all scratch-made, just like the sides which include broccoli, grape and pasta salads, fresh fruit, mac ‘n cheese and soup. A few desserts (white chocolate layer cake and signature cookies) are also on the menu. Get it all by dining in, driving through, taking out, or by delivery. It’s open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Go to chickensaladchick.com or follow on Facebook for more.
Point Ybel Brewing
We recently checked out this brewery’s new downtown Fort Myers location off First Street in the Fortiner Building, and we love it. It’s all the good things from the original San Carlos Boulevard location plunked down in a lighter, brighter space (and it’s next to another Chocolattes location!!!). With 17 taps, you’ll find all the same award-winning beers Point Ybel is known for — including Sanibel Light, Snook Bite IPA, Sanibel Red and (our favorite) The Full Breakfast stout. Even though it’s only been open since April 11, it’s already right at home with a full slate of events — from live music and yoga to trivia and music bingo.
“This is a new chapter for us,” owner and brewer Jordan Weisberg said. “We’re excited for it. We want to build the same community downtown that we have (in south Fort Myers).”
It’s off to a great start. Drop by 2451 First St., Fort Myers; (239) 603-6565; pointybelbrew.com and on Facebook
Turco Taco
With three locations in Naples, this fast-casual taco joint has finally come to downtown Fort Myers. It opened April 24 at 2451 First Street. In a former office space, it’s across from Fort Myers Regional Library, on the northwest corner of First and Bay streets. Turco Taco is known for its fresh and bold gourmet Mexican-Turkish fusion tacos, gourmet quesadillas and organic salads. We can’t wait to check it out. (239) 344-7732; theturcotaco.com or on Facebook
Capriotti’s
We’ve already reported that this popular Delaware-founded chain opened a Cape Coral location on April 28 in the Shops at Del Mar off Pine Island Road. But can we just say that The Bobbie — billed as the original Thanksgiving sandwich — lives up to the hype? The slow-roasted turkey (cooked overnight and hand-pulled in the morning), house-made stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayo combination won us over on the first bite. Order it hot or cold, in 4, 8, 10 or 18-inch sizes. And if you’re not feeling Thanksgiving-y, Capriotti’s has plenty of other options, including cheesesteaks, tuna, classic Italian, BLT, meatball, Capastrami, Wagyu beef sandwiches and more. Find it all at 327 SW 10th Place, unit 202, Cape Coral; (239) 471-0469; capriottis.com or follow on Facebook.
Closings
The Fat Apple: The sign is down and the doors of this pizza joint in North Fort Myers are locked. After nine years, this staple in the Publix-anchored Eagle Landing plaza off Bayshore Road has permanently closed. It steadily built a loyal following after Guy Beekman, who owned the legendary Birdie’s Pizza in Fort Myers for 20 years, opened it in July 2017.
Spaghy Gelato: This small Cape Coral shop in Chelsea Place off Del Prado Boulevard has closed. “Cape Coral … thank you,” an April 28 post on its Facebook page read. “Because of your support, your love, your energy … we’re taking the next step. We are officially relocating to the East Coast.” It was known for its viral spaghetti gelato — handcrafted gelato shaped into spaghetti form and topped with a variety of toppings. “Thank you for the memories, the laughs, and for believing in something a little different,” the post concluded.
Wingnuts: After spending the last 15 years at 231 Del Prado Blvd. in Cape Coral, this popular chicken wing restaurant is closing. For now, anyway. “Our time at this location has come to an end,” an April 30 post on the Pub & Grub’s Facebook page read. “Our last day will be May 16th. HOWEVER, we will be moving to a new location soon.” It’s currently in Moderna Plaza, north of Cape Coral Hospital and south of Hancock Bridge Parkway (where the recently closed Misto Bar & Grill was). “Although it will take us time to relocate the restaurant, we will keep you posted, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY,” the post continued. “… We look forward to seeing you in the very near future. Our thanks again for all your support.” Follow along on Facebook for updates.
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
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