Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 22, 2015

It is Earth Day on Wednesday, the 45th anniversary of the 1970 celebration, and President Barack Obama is marking the occasion by visiting the Sunshine State, down at the Everglades. In his weekly radio address broadcast Saturday, Obama discussed the threat of climate change in South Florida, saying that “rising sea levels are putting a national […]

Mitch PerryApril 2, 2015

e’s lot of stories in the news this week about the Republican Party and social issues. Both Mike Pence in Indiana (considered a 2016 presidential possibility) and Asa Hutchison in Arkansas have asked for tweaks in their Religious Freedom Restoration Act bills, after the firestorm it’s created nationally, particularly amongst business groups. Another issue that […]

Mitch PerryApril 1, 2015

It was over in less than a minute. The much anticipated vote for Tampa City Council chairman was decided quickly Wednesday afternoon, as the newly sworn-in council picked Frank Reddick to be their chairman for the next year. As expected, it was a close vote, with Reddick defeating current chair Charlie Miranda on a 4-3 vote. […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2015

It’s the first full weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament, the time when some writers wax absurd about “brackets” and “the insanity of March Madness.” And yes, there were a couple of thrilling upsets and buzzard-beaters Thursday to begin the first full day of the 68-team championship. As a basketball aficionado, however, I’ve been calling […]

Mitch PerryMarch 19, 2015

The Tampa City Council has an election every year to choose a new chair. The majority has chosen the status quo in recent years, continuing to choose longtime member Charlie Miranda as their leader, with nary a vote for the board’s other six members. That lack of leadership diversity has bothered a few members of […]

Mitch PerryMarch 19, 2015

Several dozen people in the Tampa progressive community gathered Wednesday night in Ybor City to say goodbye (for now) to Mary Mulhern, the Tampa City councilwoman leaving the board because of term limits next week. “Mary has always stood up for everybody in this community,” said Tampa lawyer and prominent Democrat Gary Gibbons, who introduced […]

Mitch PerryMarch 19, 2015

Several dozen people in the Tampa progressive community gathered Wednesday night in Ybor City to say goodbye (for now) to Mary Mulhern, the Tampa City councilwoman leaving the board because of term limits next week. “Mary has always stood up for everybody in this community,” said Tampa lawyer and prominent Democrat Gary Gibbons, who introduced […]

Mitch PerryMarch 19, 2015

Tampa City Council members Yolie Capin and Frank Reddick have endorsed Guido Maniscalco in his race for the District 6 Tampa City Council seat that will be decided Tuesday. They made that announcement Wednesday night in Ybor City. Maniscalco is battling Jackie Toledo in a fierce contest to complete the seven-member roster of the council. […]

Mitch PerryMarch 14, 2015

Five of the seven members of the current Tampa City Council have composed a statement expressing their disdain with the negative attacks that keep on coming in the District 6 City Council race between Guido Maniscalco and Jackie Toledo. “While none of us are strangers to the rough and tumble of the political process, we […]

Mitch PerryMarch 3, 2015

The most lackluster campaign that this reporter has covered in his 15 years living in Tampa comes to a conclusion tonight — at least for most of the candidates vying to win the five Tampa City Council seats up for election. There’s not much drama. Though there has been a lot of coverage of the […]

Tag: Frank Reddick
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Mitch Perry Report for 4.22.15 — President talks climate change in Florida on Earth Day

Mitch Perry Report for 4.2.15 — Florida Republicans and immigration

Tampa City Council picks Frank Reddick to be new chairman

Mitch Perry Report for 3.20.15 — March sadness

Tampa Council argues diversity vs. status quo in who will lead

Mary Mulhern says "thank you" as she nears exiting Tampa City Council

Mary Mulhern says “thank you” as she nears exiting Tampa City Council

Yolie Capin, Frank Reddick endorse Guido Maniscalco in Tampa runoff

Majority of Tampa City Council members express concern over negativity of District 6 race

Mitch Perry Report for 3.3.15 — Democracy now in Tampa