State senator gets shout out

The chatter in Tallahassee now has begun to turn from the combative 2017 Legislative session to the 2018 race for governor.

But several power players from the region, outside of bills and political maneuvers, scored some big wins in the recently ended session: a mention on the positive side of prominent political blogger Peter Schorsch's session wrap up winners and losers column. Schorsch, on Floridapolitics.com, cites Florida Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes; State Rep. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers; and State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg in the win column, among other officials and lobbyists.

State Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, the 2018-20 president-designate, also got a big shout out.