Between the Lines with Dara Kam

Brian Nathan, the Tampa Democrat who just pulled off a surprise flip of a key Florida Senate seat, joins our host for this week's "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs. The senator breaks down how he won the Hillsborough County special election, the issues that resonated most with voters, and the strategy behind his upset victory. Looking ahead, the duo also discusses what Dems' twi...

Barbara Petersen, founder of the Florida Center for Government Accountability, is the tip of the spear in defending the public's right to access government records. The doyenne of open government joins "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs this week to discuss a landscape where citizens and reporters are met with government officials' "total refusal" to turn over records. We dive in...

AFL‑CIO Director of Politics and Public Policy Rich Templin joins "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from  State Affairs  to reflect on a quarter‑century of advocacy for unions in Florida. Templin breaks down legislation from the 2025 session that he says complicates union members' ability to exercise their rights — and what those changes could mean for teachers, bus drivers, and others. A longtime...

Is there a lane for centrists in today's political climate? Florida U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, joins "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs this week to dig into the fate of centrism in the era of social media-fueled political pugilism. Wasserman Schultz also gives listeners an inside line into the effect of the Depar...

University of West Florida President Manny Diaz Jr. joins "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs this week for a candid discussion about leadership in Florida's higher-ed system and debate on campus. A former Florida education commissioner who was one of the architects of the state's school voucher system during his tenure in the state House and Senate, the Hialeah native also delves...

Incoming House Minority Leader Christine Hunschofsky dives into Democrats' fight for Florida on this week's "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from  State Affairs.  Rep. Hunschofsky outlines how Democrats, despite holding superminorities in both chambers, can impact policies to help Floridians.    The former mayor of Parkland also talks with Dara about how the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Hi...

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier breaks news about euphoria-inducing hemp products during this week's "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs. The attorney general also addresses reports about his six-figure salary as an adjunct law professor.  Dara and the AG dig into redistricting, racism, the Federalist Society, and much, much more. Plus, a "rapid-fire foodie" round! Visit ...

Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner joins Between the Lines this week to discuss his candidacy in the red-hot governor's race, what he calls a "Grand Canyon gap" in leadership between himself and his leading primary opponent, and how social media shapes personalities in politics.   Plus, Renner gives us a window into his routine on the road as he travels the Sunshine State. Spoiler: It involv...

Veteran reporter Dara Kam is back with Between the Lines, the podcast from State Affairs that cuts through the clutter and gives you the clarity on the policy decisions that impact Floridians and the politics behind them. Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is our inaugural guest. A former Florida governor, Senator Scott doesn't hold back about critical Florida issues such as property taxes, the cost...