Kate BradshawNovember 2, 2020
13min795
The race to watch is between Democrat Pat Kemp and Republican Sandra Murman.
Kate BradshawImage via Palatka Main Street.
Kate BradshawNovember 2, 2020Kate BradshawAugust 28, 2018
3min265
Business owner and activist Dianne “Ms. Dee” Hart has won the Democratic primary for Florida’s House District 61. As a safely Democratic district, which comprises parts of eastern, central and northern Tampa, HD 61 had no incumbent seeking re-election — as state Rep. Sean Shaw vacated the seat to run for Attorney General. That meant the primary […]
Kate BradshawAugust 28, 2018
3min544
If there were a local proxy for the national GOP’s intraparty conflict, it would be Pinellas County Commission District 6. This three-way race pitted Larry Ahern, a Trump Republican legislator from Seminole, against a St. Petersburg activist with Tea Party roots (Barbara Haselden) and a moderate Republican lawmaker, state Rep. Kathleen Peters of Treasure Island. […]
Kate BradshawAugust 28, 2018
4min431
Incumbency has distinct advantages, as Wengay “Newt” Newton won another term in House District 70 – despite a serious challenge from aggrieved St. Petersburg Democrats. Given that there are no contenders from any other party, the primary decided who will serve the heavily Democratic district seat. Yet, if there was a primary for St. Petersburg […]
Kate BradshawAugust 28, 2018
3min274
Raymond Blacklidge has won the Republican nod for House District 69, formerly held by state Rep. Kathleen Peters, who gave up the seat to run for Pinellas County Commission. As of 7:25 p.m., with 85 percent of vote counted, the 58-year-old Madeira Beach insurance executive was leading his lone challenger 58-42 percent. The two-candidate primary […]
Kate BradshawJune 15, 20185min967
As any observer of Florida politics will tell you, this 34-year-old Palm Harbor Republican is on the move. First elected to House District 65 over Democratic incumbent Carl Zimmerman in 2014, Chris Sprowls had little difficulty getting re-elected in 2016 against Democrat Bernie Fensterwald. At this point, 2018 appears to be shaping up the same way. Sprowls currently serves as […]
Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018
5min329
The last time anyone asked, Tampanians overwhelmingly said they approve of the job Bob Buckhorn has done as Mayor of Tampa. Back in November, some three-quarters of 350 Tampa residents surveyed said they approve of his performance, and most said the city is headed in the right direction — that was before Raybor was a thing. In […]
Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018
4min272
Given that he’s the incoming Senate President, there’s no way Bill Galvano wouldn’t have landed at or near the top of the list. The Bradenton Republican representing Senate District 21, will lead his chamber over the 2019 and 2020 legislative sessions by determining legislative priorities and setting the tone of the conversations it has with the House […]
Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018
5min266
As the 2017 mayoral race ramped up last year, re-election was never a sure thing for incumbent St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. It was far from it at times. Yet despite a significant challenge from former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, who was often ahead in the polls, he and his allies pulled it off. Whether it […]
Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018
4min283
An egg farmer by trade, Wilton Simpson currently serves as Senate Majority Leader. The Trilby Republican’s prestige doesn’t end there, though. Simpson, 51, is slated to become Senate President in 2020, on the heels of incoming Senate President Bill Galvano. (Both presidencies, of course, hinge on GOP dominance in that chamber following the 2018 and 2020 elections.) Voted […]