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

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 9, 2018

Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist continues to lead his Democratic opponent in fundraising efforts, but the gap between the candidates’ cash on hand is slight. Crist has about $95,000 left in the bank with about four weeks before the November 6 election while Mariella Smith has $76,000. A third candidate in the race, Joe Kotvas, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 8, 2018

Former Congressman David Jolly has left the Republican Party, he announced Friday on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. “I left the party about five weeks ago. My wife and I both did,” Jolly said to a shocked panel and cheers from the audience. Jolly has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 8, 2018

Kathleen Peters is crushing her competition for Pinellas County Commission District 6 covering midwest Pinellas County. The Republican raked in more in two weeks than her opponent has during the entire campaign. Peters raised $41,000 during the final two weeks of September, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 8, 2018

Florida Governor Rick Scott’s U.S. Senate bid got some good news this week, thanks to a University of South Florida College of Marine Science report. A three-week red tide mission found abnormally cooler temperatures and increased salt content might have caused this year’s red tide outbreak. Scott is running against incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. Scott […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 8, 2018

With less than a month remaining before the Nov. 6 election, the All For Transportation campaign is trying to combat what it says is misinformation about the 1 percent sales tax referendum on the Hillsborough County ballot. “With an existing backlog of $9 billion in transportation projects and an estimated 700,000 more people expected to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 6, 2018

The All for Transportation campaign raised more than $1 million during the second half of September, according to campaign finance documents filed with Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections. All three of the region’s major league sports teams — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Rays — contributed to the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 5, 2018

Americans for Prosperity-Florida launched 15-second television and radio ads Friday calling on Hillsborough County voters to reject a 1 percent sales tax increase for transportation and transit projects. Americans for Prosperity is a nationwide tax watchdog group that has chapters throughout the country. “Plans for a $230 million tax increase would give Hillsborough County the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 4, 2018

Ron DeSantis painted a grim picture of Florida’s future if voters don’t put him in the Governor’s mansion this November. The former North Florida congressman made his pitch to a group of about 150 supporters Thursday at the Italian Club in Ybor City. The rally featured live music from a Wayne Newton look-alike. DeSantis’s first-grade teacher […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 4, 2018

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The All for Transportation campaign launched its first television commercial Thursday, asking voters to approve Hillsborough County Referendum No. 2 raising sales tax 1 percent to fund billions in transportation and transit improvements. The ad highlights all the benefits and, in a strategic move, doesn’t mention the tax increase. The referendum would raise about $280 […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 4, 2018

Candidates to replace Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn next year. Six of eight candidates running to succeed the two-term mayor faced off in the election’s first debate Wednesday night at Hillsborough Community College. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce hosted the debate and Politifact Executive Director Aaron Shockman moderated. Attendees included former Tampa Police Chief Jane […]

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Victor Crist still leading Mariella Smith in fundraising battle

David Jolly officially breaks up with the Republican Party

Kathleen Peters crushes late September fundraising

Red tide report spells good news for Rick Scott

No ‘fake news’: All For Transportation clears up myths

Hillsborough transportation initiative rakes in $1 million as pro sports teams go all-in

AFP Florida fires salvo at Hillsborough transportation referendum

In Tampa, Ron DeSantis blasts Andrew Gillum for ‘liberal agenda’

More taxes? Shhh: All for Transportation launches first TV ad

The first Tampa mayoral debate: Five take-aways