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

Joe HendersonMay 3, 2018

When Will Weatherford takes the podium this morning to open a Florida business economic summit in Orlando, his message will be straightforward and clear. Everybody needs a real chance at having a secure future, Weatherford will tell those attending the Florida Business Leaders’ Summit on Prosperity and Economic Opportunity. The way to do that is […]

Joe HendersonMay 2, 2018

Marco Rubio is still a Republican, right? I’m just trying to make sure. Lately, he has been saying and doing things that are, oh, what’s the word I’m looking for? Liberal? Let’s not go that far. But the junior U.S. senator from Florida has been flashing a refreshing independent streak in recent days and weeks, […]

Joe HendersonMay 1, 2018

The official entry of Mike Suarez into the field campaigning to be Tampa’s next mayor is expected, as Florida Politics reported, as soon as today. Suarez, a city council member, has long been expected to join what is becoming an increasingly crowded and interesting field. So far, former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, District 4 […]

Joe HendersonApril 30, 2018

Political consultant Anthony Pedicini is known in Hillsborough County political circles as someone who takes no prisoners in his drive to support the ambition of Republican candidates. He plays to win and if you are in the way, well, that’s your problem. Opponents with bloodied noses can tell you all about that. But some things […]

Joe HendersonApril 26, 2018

To the Florida Department of Elections, I am known by the acronym “NPA” – no party affiliation. That means I have not registered as a Democrat or Republican. This was a deliberate choice on my part, but it comes with consequences. NPA’s will be treated as non-people in the August primaries. We can’t cast a […]

Joe HendersonApril 25, 2018

Politicians do love to have their egos stroked, especially when someone whispers: “Hey, you are the answer to all the problems we face. You are the only hope for this state.” The latest example of this seems to be a story that caught legs a couple of days ago, the one where a couple of […]

Joe HendersonApril 24, 2018

While survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre got headlines and lots of support in the weeks following the murders there, the National Rifle Association was raking in cash. Lots of cash. The Miami Herald reported the NRA’s Political Victory Fund raised $2.4 million in March. For perspective, that is $1.5 million more […]

Joe HendersonApril 23, 2018

Rick Scott’s greatest political gift has been perfect timing. He proved that in 2010 when he tapped into Floridians’ angst over the recession with an oft-repeated simple slogan: “Let’s Get To Work.” Even after the first election, you could ask him about the weather or the NFL draft and his answer was always the same: […]

Joe HendersonApril 19, 2018

In preparing to run for the state’s Chief Financial Officer job, state Sen. Tom Lee had assembled a staff, game plan and a fundraising committee. But after waffling for several weeks about officially entering the race, Lee said Thursday family concerns “essentially caused me to re-evaluate my decision to run for CFO in 2018. I […]

Joe HendersonApril 19, 2018

If one is inclined to read between the lines, Marco Rubio sounded like a man running for president, again, with his blunt talk about Florida’s vulnerability to a Russian attack on the upcoming elections. That doesn’t mean what the junior senator from our state had to say can be dismissed as political grandstanding. Hopefully, he […]

Joe Henderson
Image via Tiger Bay.

Joe Henderson: Will Weatherford continues quest to reduce generational poverty

Joe Henderson: GOP wondering where Marco Rubio went

Joe Henderson: Tampa crowded mayor field gets another candidate

Joe Henderson: Anthony Pedicini’s only goal is win against cancer

Joe Henderson: Primary solution was left on table

Joe Henderson: Potential Murphy-Jolly ticket just not believable

Joe Henderson: Mixed messages abound in gun control debate

Joe Henderson: Rick Scott betting his timing is right again

Tom Lee decides against CFO run

Joe Henderson: Is Marco Rubio eyeing another presidential run?