Franklin: Trump Bears Some Responsibility, But Impeachment Inappropriate
U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, said “Yes” Tuesday that President Donald Trump bears some responsibility for the riot in the Capitol a week ago. More
Politics
Scott Franklin, Wife Settling into Washington Home
Newly elected to Congress and just finishing his first week in office, Scott Franklin has already found a new home in Washington. It was part of a promise to his wife, Amy. More
Franklin Caps Historic Day by Voting to Reject Arizona, Pennsylvania Results
Scott Franklin of Lakeland had a memorable fourth day as a member of Congress. On Wednesday afternoon, he was forced to evacuate the House chamber when a pro-Trump mob breached the Capitol. Later that night and the following morning, he joined more than 100 fellow Republicans in voting to object to the Electoral College votes in Arizona and Pennsylvania. Both of those initiatives failed, and Joe Biden was declared the presidential winner at 3:41 a.m. More
New U.S. Rep. Franklin Says He Will Challenge Electoral College Results
Newly installed U.S Rep. Scott Franklin of Lakeland announced today he is joining other Republicans who are calling for a rejection of the Electoral College finding that Joe Biden was elected president. More
Alice Hunt Will Head U.S. Rep. Franklin’s Lakeland Office
Incoming U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin has recruited Alice Hunt, a well-connected local business and civic leader, to run his Lakeland district office once he takes office next week. More
Kelli Stargel Named Florida Senate Budget Chair
Lakeland Republican Kelli Stargel caps her legislative career as chairman of the Florida Senate’s powerful Appropriations Committee for the next two years. She was appointed to the position Friday by new Senate President Wilton Simpson, a Lakeland native who lives in Trilby. The position puts her in a key budget role during a period when legislators face tough decisions on a $5.4 billion shortfall brought on by the pandemic and tourism declines, Florida Politics reports.
Trump Carries Lakeland But By Smaller Margin Than 2016
Lakeland voters favored Donald Trump in last week’s presidential election, but by a lower margin than in 2016. That year, Trump won 54.9% of votes cast in Lakeland precincts; this year, it was 51.9%. More
Franklin Wins U.S. House Race as Republicans Sweep Polk
Scott Franklin will be moving from an office at Lakeland City Hall to one in the U.S. Capitol after he handily defeated Democrat Alan Cohn for a seat in Congress in today’s general election. Republicans dominated in Polk, as voters returned Bill Braswell to the County Commission and Colleen Burton, Josie Tomkow and Melony Bell to the Florida House of Representatives. More
Pence Campaign Rally in Lakeland Draws 1,000
Vice President Mike Pence stressed jobs and the economy during an hour-long campaign rally at Lakeland Linder International Airport that drew about 1,000 people, News Channel 8 reports | ALSO: The Ledger | Speech video from 10 Tampa Bay
Pence Speaking Saturday at Lakeland Linder Airport
Vice President Mike Pence will speak at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at a “Make America Great Again! Victory Rally” at Lakeland Linder International Airport, the Trump for President campaign announced. More