Janelle Irwin Taylor, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Democrat Jennifer Webb bested her opponent Ray Blacklidge in one of the Florida House districts targeted in the “blue wave.” Webb came out on top 53 percent to 47 percent. Webb will replace Rep. Kathleen Peters, a Republican, in the House District 69 seat covering parts of mid-Pinellas including Seminole, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

In what could have been a major upset for Republicans, Florida Rep. Ross Spano held off Democrat Kristen Carlson in the race for Congressional District 15. With 88 percent of the vote counted, Spano led 53-47 percent. The solidly red Congressional District 15 should have been an easy win for conservatives. It covers parts of Hillsborough, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Hillsborough County’s transportation referendum passed Tuesday night, with 57 percent of the vote. It’s a huge win for transportation and transit activists who have seen initiative after initiative fail locally at the ballot box. “We are humbled by tonight’s results, which confirm that Hillsborough County is ready to invest in a transportation plan that truly […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Hillsborough County Commission candidates Kimberly Overman and Mariella Smith nabbed key victories in their bids for the open District 5 and 7 countywide seats. The two wins mean Democrats will now control the commission. Smith toppled longtime Republican commissioner Victor Crist 52 percent to 45 percent with NPA Joe Kotvas taking the rest of the vote. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Former State Representative Ed Hooper narrowly beat Amanda Murphy in an upset for the “blue wave” Democrats were hoping for. Hooper won 52 to 48 percent in the race for Senate District 16. Murphy issued a statement concession statement about an hour after the polls closed Tuesday evening. “I want to thank our incredible team […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Outgoing state Rep. Kathleen Peters scored an easy win over Democrat Amy Kedron Tuesday night in her bid for Pinellas County Commission District 6. Peters won 60 percent to 40 percent over Kedron with three quarters of all precincts reporting. The district covers mid-Pinellas County including Seminole, parts of St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Florida Senator Jeff Brandes will keep his Senate District 24 seat representing parts of St. Petersburg. Brandes stomped his Democratic challenger, Lindsay Cross, 54 percent to 46 percent. Cross was an underdog candidate in a difficult matchup against a well-known incumbent. She fought a hard battle right up until Election Day, but couldn’t bridge the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will serve a seventh term in office after defeating Democrat Chris Hunter Tuesday in a contentious race. Bilirakis has held the seat since 2007. Before that, his father represented Congressional District 12. Between the two, there has been a Bilirakis representing the district for more than three decades. The race became competitive for […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Democrat Charlie Crist scored an easy victory over Republican George Buck in his reelection race for Congressional District 13 in St. Petersburg and parts of Pinellas County. In a landslide, Crist grabbed 58 percent of the vote of the vote. Crist’s race looked sealed from the get-go. He raked in well over $3 million to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

The 2018 midterm election is widely considered one of the most contentious in recent history. Like all midterm elections, it’s serving as a referendum on the party in power in Washington. But fueled by the overtly contentious Donald Trump administration, Democrats are fired up to send an anti-Trump message this election. That message is trickling […]

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Jennifer Webb joins the ‘Blue Wave’ in victory over Ray Blacklidge

Ross Spano wins CD 15 over Kristen Carlson

Hillsborough transportation, education sales tax initiatives pass

Democrats claim Hillsborough County Commission for the first time in 14 years

Ed Hooper puts breaks on ‘blue wave’ in Amanda Murphy upset

Kathleen Peters cruises to easy victory over Amy Kedron

No surprise here: Jeff Brandes trounces Lindsay Cross

Gus Bilirakis elected to seventh term in Congress

Charlie Crist sails to easy victory over George Buck

Tampa Bay competitive ‘blue wave’ races to watch