AP reporter Brendan Farrington, longtime chronicler of Florida politics, dies at 60
Farrington, who covered Florida government and hurricanes for the AP for over 25 years, died at his Tallahassee home after a brief illness.
What to know
- Brendan Farrington, an AP reporter who covered Florida politics for more than 25 years, died September 18, 2026 at age 60 after a brief illness.
- He left the AP in January 2025 as part of a voluntary buyout program, ending a career that included coverage of hurricanes, elections and DeSantis-era controversies.
- Tributes have come from journalists, former colleagues and politicians across the aisle, including former Gov. Jeb Bush and US Rep. Byron Donalds.
- His 2021 reporting on a DeSantis donor's Regeneron investment drew online attacks after the governor's press secretary criticized his coverage; the AP defended him at the time.
“He was always very willing to go out and to cover hurricanes, be prepared for natural disasters. He would always jump into that coverage as soon as it was needed.”
Gary Fineout, Politico reporter, former AP colleague · Philadelphia Inquirer/AP obituary ↗ · Sep 18
Brendan Farrington AP Florida politics reporterAmy Farrington Wife of Brendan FarringtonGary Fineout Politico reporter, former AP Tallahassee colleagueSteve Schale Close friend of the Farrington familyTerry Spencer Former Florida news editor for the AP
Byron Donalds US Representative
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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AP obituary details Farrington's 25-year Florida career
The Associated Press obituary, republished by outlets including the Philadelphia Inquirer, recounted his coverage of hurricanes, elections and his 'weird Florida' roundups, his 2021 clash with DeSantis' press office over Regeneron reporting, and his 2025 buyout departure from AP. Former AP editor Terry Spencer and Politico's Gary Fineout, along with former Gov. Jeb Bush, offered recollections.
“I was amazed by the many calls he would get from everyone from big-name politicians and their aides to back-office workers telling him what was going on behind the scenes.”
— Terry Spencer -
first by Philadelphia Inquirer, 4d ago
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Longtime Florida politics reporter Brendan Farrington dies at 60 Brendan Farrington, a veteran news reporter who covered Florida politics, hurricanes and quirkiness for The Associated Press for more than 25 years, has died. He was 60. Farrington died Friday at his home in Tallahassee following a brief illness, said Steve Schale, a close friend of…
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https://www. europesays.com/thestates/751/ Longtime AP Florida politics reporter Brendan Farrington dies at 60 | Ap # BrendanFarringtonApReporterFloridaTallahasseePolitics # Business # entertainment # Florida # GeneralNews # NewsMedia # politics # USNews
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https://www. europesays.com/thestates/2589/ Longtime AP Florida politics reporter Brendan Farrington dies at 60 | State News # Florida # national # state
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Colleagues and a Florida congressman pay tribute
Journalists Edie Ousley and KM Miller, and US Rep. Byron Donalds, publicly remembered Farrington's reporting and kindness.
“I will miss you Brendan. Your talents, your friendship, your way of understanding politics and your ability to report it. Magical! RIP my friend, heaven gained an angel today.”
— Edie Ousley -
1 outlet Brendan Farrington cause of death update: What happened to the Florida AP reporter? Tributes pour in
first by Hindustan Times, 5d ago
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Wife Amy Farrington announces his death in a statement — Amy Farrington's statement, shared online by fellow reporter Gary Fineout, said Farrington passed away surrounded by family, including his son and brothers, after a 'brief and sudden illness.'
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Brendan Farrington dies at his Tallahassee home at 60 — Farrington died Friday following a brief illness, according to Steve Schale, a close friend of the family. He had covered Florida politics for the AP for more than 25 years.