Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 12, 2015

For several years, it’s been a given that Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn would try to take his brand of leadership to a new level in 2018 by seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Facing just token opposition in his re-election bid, Buckhorn won with nearly 96 percent of the vote in March, setting himself up […]

Mitch PerryOctober 9, 2015

The activists went home unhappy Thursday night, but their goals were never the same as the majority on the Tampa City Council regarding the creation of a citizens review board to watchdog the Tampa Police Department. City Council voted 5-2 Thursday evening to a compromise proposal on who gets to select the members of the […]

Mitch PerryOctober 5, 2015

Welcome to the first Monday in October, where in Tampa the temperatures began this morning in the upper 60’s… Lots going on in pop culture and sports this past weekend, but let’s stick with hard news and talk about the issue of gun violence in America in the wake of the latest mass shooting in […]

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

Since I’ve been following politics, it’s been a common complaint to question why the two major political parties have allowed two relatively homogenous states like Iowa and New Hampshire to have such an outsized influence in choosing our presidential nominees. And over the past three presidential cycles, invariably there’s been “serious” proposals floated to change the cycle, […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 10, 2015

Yesterday in Brussels, Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Union’s top executive, proposed a plan to move approximately 160,000 refugees coming from war-torn and poverty-stricken nations in the Middle East and Africa in response to other countries to deal with the crisis gripping Europe. Although often called “Europe’s problem,” there is increasing discussion about what the U.S. could, and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

Aiming for a different course after battling two rideshare companies for nearly a year and a half, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission voted Wednesday to propose new regulations it hopes a local legislator can push through Tallahassee next year. As a “good faith effort” showing it’s trying to work with the industry, the board also […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 1, 2015

Jim Norman, who has been meeting with all types of folks in the community the past few weeks and months in preparation for a return to local politics, makes it official Tuesday. He’s running for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. Actually, he made it official Monday by making pilgrimages to the editorial board […]

Mitch PerryAugust 5, 2015

Two years ago, officials at California State University-Fullerton produced a comprehensive report on police civilian oversight boards. Among their findings was that obstacles to creating a successful agency included politicians who have a “law and order” agenda not conducive to oversight. Plus, if such a board is created, the power that lawmakers have to limit their oversight is through […]

Mitch PerryMay 21, 2015

Although he’s been on the job for nearly two weeks, Eric Ward didn’t officially become the new Tampa police chief until Thursday morning, when the city council unanimously confirmed his appointment. It came while dozens of his fellow TPD officers crammed into the council’s intimate chambers to part of the occasion. Ward, 48, grew up […]

Mitch PerryApril 23, 2015

Tampa police Chief Jane Castor spoke to Tampa City Council Thursday morning for nearly an hour, discussing the issues concerning the disproportionate number of citations written against black city residents. An investigation by the Tampa Bay Times brought the situation to light in a story published this past weekend. The charges have prompted Castor and […]

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Listen to Tom Leek's first radio ad.

Bob Buckhorn still considering 2018 run for governor

Mitch Perry Report for 10.9.15 – First chapter in Tampa citizens review board saga ends

Mitch Perry Report for 10.5.15 – O’Malley and Clinton unveil plans to address gun violence

Mitch Perry Report for 10.1.15 – Will Reince Preibus have the guts to change the GOP presidential primary schedule?

Mitch Perry Report for 9.10.15 – Few presidential candidates offering specifics on refugee crisis

Hillsborough County PTC to stop citing Uber, Lyft drivers

Mitch Perry Report for 9.1.15 – The meaning of Jim Norman’s return

Tampa residents to call for civilian review board to monitor police

Eric Ward confirmed by Tampa City Council as new police chief

Jane Castor strongly disputes biking-while-black story at Tampa City Council meeting