Joe Henderson, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonNovember 15, 2016

It great to have choices, especially the kind in Pam Bondi’s world these days. If there was any doubt about her clout with President-elect Donald Trump, that was put to rest when she was named to his transition team executive committee late last week. This is as close to being brought into the official Trump family as […]

Joe HendersonNovember 11, 2016

Mike Fasano, the Pasco County Tax Collector and former state legislator, lives near incoming Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran. They are friends and they speak frequently with each other. Sometimes they agree on policies, sometimes they don’t. But they are in total accord about the dramatic changes regarding lobbyists and other measures Corcoran has planned […]

Joe HendersonNovember 9, 2016

If it’s morning after the election and you are reading this, then the exit polls were correct on at least one point. The sun did indeed come up on all the blue states, red states, and especially on the Sunshine State. So, there is that. But for the moment at least, that’s pretty much the […]

Joe HendersonNovember 8, 2016

Democrat Pat Kemp defeated challenger Tim Schock for the Hillsborough County Commission District 6 seat. Kemp had 55 percent of the vote for a solid victory. Voters had two strong choices in this countywide race. Kemp, who narrowly lost to Republican Al Higginbotham in 2014, had transportation as her main issue. She has long been […]

Joe HendersonNovember 8, 2016

Republican Shawn Harrison held on in a rough-and-tumble race against challenger Lisa Montelione to represent House District 63. With all precincts reporting, Harrison had 51 percent of 71,483 votes cast. Montelione held a close early lead but Harrison overcame that and steadily pulled ahead as the night progressed. “Obviously, we’re very happy,” Harrison said in […]

Joe HendersonNovember 8, 2016

In a pair of results that could not be called surprising, Democrat Kathy Castor and Republican Dennis Ross won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Castor took about 61 percent of the vote in her race, while Ross took 58 percent. Neither race was expected to be closely contended. Castor, a liberal Democrat who […]

Joe HendersonNovember 8, 2016

Incumbent Ross Spano was returned to the Florida House, defeating Democratic newcomer Rena Frazier. With all 41 precincts reporting in the HD 59 contest, Spano led by about 10 points out of 73,095 votes cast. This race to represent a district that covers much of eastern Hillsborough turned ugly in the closing days, with charges […]

Joe HendersonNovember 8, 2016

Hillsborough County voters have given Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez another four years in office. Henriquez held a comfortable 57-43 percent lead with 293 of 340 precincts reporting over Todd Jones, who was making his first attempt at public office. “I’m very pleased and honored to have the opportunity to serve another four years,” Henriquez said. […]

Joe HendersonNovember 8, 2016

Incumbent Sandra Murman cruised to victory Tuesday over Democrat Jeff Zampitella in the Hillsborough County Commission District 1 race. With 69 of 86 precincts reporting, Murman held a 57-43 percent lead over Zampitella. “I knew this was going to be a tough cycle, so we ran a whole campaign all the way,” she said. “A […]

Joe HendersonNovember 8, 2016

You know Florida is important. You know our history with elections. And you know the nation, along with every late-night comedian, will be glued to everything that goes on within our borders on Election Day, ready to scream foul play at anything that looks askew. We know all this. But why us? Floridians are good […]

Joe Henderson
Image via AP.

Joe Henderson: Looks like Donald Trump insider Pam Bondi is movin’ on up

Joe Henderson: New House rules put lobbyists in their place and increase transparency

Joe Henderson: There is no roadmap for where America goes next

Pat Kemp defeats Tim Schock in Hillsborough County District 6

Shawn Harrison holds on in rough-and-tumble HD 63 race

Kathy Castor, Dennis Ross returning to Congress

Ross Spano victorious over Rena Frazier in HD 59

Bob Henriquez gets another term as Hillsborough Property Appraiser

Sandy Murman cruises to victory over Jeff Zampitella in Hillsborough County Commission

Joe Henderson: It all comes down to unpredictable, inexplicable Florida