![Steven Lemongello poses for an NGUX portrait in Orlando on Friday, October 31, 2014. (Joshua C. Cruey/Orlando Sentinel)
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Senior Content Editor
Steven Lemongello
Steve Lemongello is the Orlando Sentinel's senior content editor for politics. He worked at the Press of Atlantic City and the Jersey Journal in New Jersey before joining the Sentinel.
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![Floridaâs 2024 candidates for state House and Senate are in place following Fridayâs qualifying deadline. Floridaâs 2024 candidates for state House and Senate are in place following Fridayâs qualifying deadline.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ZX4Z374B3FCPLCOS5F4JA27F3Y.jpg?w=127)
Carlos Smith elected, Bracy Davis snubs brother in busy Florida qualifying day
Floridaâs 2024 candidates for state House and Senate are in place following Fridayâs qualifying deadline.
![Incendiary MAGA Republican Anthony Sabatini withdrew from the GOP primary for Congress against incumbent Dan Webster Thursday evening, less than an hour after former President Trump endorsed Webster instead of him. Incendiary MAGA Republican Anthony Sabatini withdrew from the GOP primary for Congress against incumbent Dan Webster Thursday evening, less than an hour after former President Trump endorsed Webster instead of him.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/08/24/55EJG75TANAF7DJRASLFT6QJJ4.jpg?w=135)
Anthony Sabatini drops out of congressional race minutes after Trump endorses Webster
Incendiary MAGA Republican Anthony Sabatini withdrew from the GOP primary for Congress against incumbent Dan Webster Thursday evening, less than an hour after former President Trump endorsed Webster instead of...
![A candidate forum for the Orange County elections supervisor race turned contentious on Wednesday, and most of the criticism was aimed not at anyone on the panel but instead at Glen Gilzean, the embattled Orange elections chief sitting silently in the audience. A candidate forum for the Orange County elections supervisor race turned contentious on Wednesday, and most of the criticism was aimed not at anyone on the panel but instead at Glen Gilzean, the embattled Orange elections chief sitting silently in the audience.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG-2519.jpg?w=117)
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Glen Gilzean gets rough reception at Winter Park candidate forum
A candidate forum for the Orange County elections supervisor race turned contentious on Wednesday, and most of the criticism was aimed not at anyone on the panel but instead at...
![The Walt Disney Co. provided thousands of dollars in benefits for lawmakers across the state as the company slowly restarted contributions to Florida politicians after a two-year pause. The Walt Disney Co. provided thousands of dollars in benefits for lawmakers across the state as the company slowly restarted contributions to Florida politicians after a two-year pause.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GettyImages-1492413526.jpg?w=132)
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Disney opens up wallet again, including to GOP who backed ‘don’t say gay’ law
The Walt Disney Co. provided thousands of dollars in benefits for lawmakers across the state as the company slowly restarted contributions to Florida politicians after a two-year pause.
![The Central Florida congressman's evolution toward the Trump line hasn't prevented a GOP primary challenge from the right, and his vice presidential chances also seemed to have taken a hit. The Central Florida congressman's evolution toward the Trump line hasn't prevented a GOP primary challenge from the right, and his vice presidential chances also seemed to have taken a hit.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2021/09/20/NHDYC5A7CLDHEJOLJWRHLN7NYY.jpg?w=135)
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Waltz’s loyalty to Trump doesn’t help VP chances or avoid primary foe
The Central Florida congressman's evolution toward the Trump line hasn't prevented a GOP primary challenge from the right, and his vice presidential chances also seemed to have taken a hit.
![Former state Sen. Randolph Bracy claims his Democratic primary opponent, incumbent Geraldine Thompson, doesnât live in the district she represents. Former state Sen. Randolph Bracy claims his Democratic primary opponent, incumbent Geraldine Thompson, doesnât live in the district she represents.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tos-l-aah-museum0741.jpg?w=59)
Bracy claims Sen. Thompson illegally lives outside her district
Former state Sen. Randolph Bracy claims his Democratic primary opponent, incumbent Geraldine Thompson, doesnât live in the district she represents.
![Paige Figi, the âmother of CBD,â is increasingly optimistic Gov. Ron DeSantis will veto a bill she and other critics claim would effectively ban a medicine used by millions of patients. Paige Figi, the âmother of CBD,â is increasingly optimistic Gov. Ron DeSantis will veto a bill she and other critics claim would effectively ban a medicine used by millions of patients.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2019/06/26/FY5EIKRIQZFJFCRU5TWE2CFVIM.jpg?w=135)
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CBD health advocate says DeSantis veto of hemp bill is likely
Paige Figi, the âmother of CBD,â is increasingly optimistic Gov. Ron DeSantis will veto a bill she and other critics claim would effectively ban a medicine used by millions of...
![Several candidates say the Orange County elections office run by interim supervisor Glen Gilzean kept them in the dark about petition efforts that would allow them to qualify without paying a filing fee. Several candidates say the Orange County elections office run by interim supervisor Glen Gilzean kept them in the dark about petition efforts that would allow them to qualify without paying a filing fee.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Disney-DeSantis.jpg?w=94)
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Candidates accuse Gilzean’s office of ‘radio silence’ on needed info about petitions
Several candidates say the Orange County elections office run by interim supervisor Glen Gilzean kept them in the dark about petition efforts that would allow them to qualify without paying a...
![Glen Gilzean pledged to be "transparent, fair, and accessible" at his swearing-in as Orange County election supervisor on Friday. Glen Gilzean pledged to be "transparent, fair, and accessible" at his swearing-in as Orange County election supervisor on Friday.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Gilzean.jpg?w=94)
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Gilzean: I’ll be a ‘transparent, fair’ Orange elections supervisor
Glen Gilzean pledged to be "transparent, fair, and accessible" at his swearing-in as Orange County election supervisor on Friday.
![The Walt Disney Co. provided an in-kind contribution to her campaign in the form of theme park tickets, Thompson said, one of the first such contributions to a Florida politician in more than two years The Walt Disney Co. provided an in-kind contribution to her campaign in the form of theme park tickets, Thompson said, one of the first such contributions to a Florida politician in more than two years](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_MK_castle_post50_0135f-2-2_1035741662_1035733215-1.jpg?w=136)
Disney starts giving to Florida politicians again, Sen. Thompson says
The Walt Disney Co. provided an in-kind contribution to her campaign in the form of theme park tickets, Thompson said, one of the first such contributions to a Florida politician...