Kate Bradshaw, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018

Whether it’s a string of good decisions — or that she has had an impossibly charmed life in politics thus far — Congresswoman Kathy Castor doesn’t really seem capable of having a bad year. Yet the Tampa Democrat has certainly been an underdog more than once; first, as a Hillsborough County Commissioner in the Ronda Storms era, […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

Although he had a good run in his two years as House Speaker — and managed to make a splash as a prospective candidate for governor, the Land O’ Lakes Republican falls five spots this year. He claimed the No. 2 slot last year after his raucous showdown with Gov. Rick Scott over VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

The Republican state Senator from St. Petersburg fell a few slots this year. That’s not to say Jeff Brandes doesn’t have the juice he did in prior years. And like in previous years, he had a busy 2018 Session. He sponsored some 65 bills and co-sponsored dozens more. He sat on seven committees, including as chair of […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

The likely reason for Ken Hagan’s steep climb in the rankings this year is no mystery. A fixture on the Hillsborough County Commission since first elected in 2002, Hagan has been the face of county leaders’ campaign to woo the Rays across the bay. It’s an effort that appears to have succeeded. The team finally announced […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

Darryl Rouson is known for his willingness to work with Republicans over the years as well as his passionate advocacy on behalf of his Senate District 19 constituents. A most recent example of this is his support of a proposed constitutional amendment to expand Florida’s homestead exemption, which will appear on the statewide ballot in […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

It’s no wonder Ken Welch is Pinellas County Commission chair (again) this year. First elected in 2000 and later re-elected four times, Welch is thoughtful and incredibly detail-oriented. It’s clear his deliberative style has contributed to the board’s collaborative, seemingly nonpartisan approach to hammering out policy. “Commissioner Welch is a Chairman’s chairman. A grounded statesman and an […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

First elected to her Tampa state House seat in 2010, Janet Cruz served as House Minority Leader over the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions. She’s the first Latina to serve in that capacity. While Democratic leaders in the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature often have little influence, Cruz has managed to have some sway. She has been effective at […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

Current Hillsborough County Commission Chair Sandra Murman was first elected to her District 1 seat in 2010. Her district includes Ruskin, Gibsonton, parts of South Tampa, Town ‘n’ Country and Keystone. At the dais, Murman, a Republican, has taken some credit for steering the transit debate in 2016 after the Go Hillsborough initiative tanked — even though […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

State Sen. Tom Lee of Senate District 20 generated plenty of buzz over the last year as Tampa Bay politicos speculated his next steps: a run for state chief financial officer? Perhaps a go at outgoing Congressman Dennis Ross’s open seat? But the Thonotosassa Republican went with none of the above — and that could shape up […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

In the time that’s elapsed since the noise that erupted around U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in early 2017 died down following his brave decision to face angry constituents at a packed town hall, things have been pretty quiet for the Palm Harbor Republican. That’s no surprise to anyone familiar with Bilirakis, 55, who tends to eschew political […]

Kate Bradshaw

#6 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Kathy Castor

#7 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Richard Corcoran

#8 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Jeff Brandes

#9 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Ken Hagan

#10 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Darryl Rouson

#11 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Ken Welch

#12 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Janet Cruz

#13 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Sandra Murman

#14 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Tom Lee

#15 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Gus Bilirakis