Mitch Perry, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2018

An environmental law professor said Thursday that Ryan Zinke saying last month that drilling off Florida’s coasts was “off the table” in reality gives the state no legal protections at all. Alyson Flournoy believes the Interior Secretary’s comments may make it more difficult for the Office of Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to defend a final decision […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2018

Ken Hagan has built a formidable war chest as he attempts to parlay name recognition and extensive local government experience into staying on the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners for another term this year. Challenger Angela Birdsong, however, is not deterred. “He has amassed a lot of power and money and friends, but I think that things […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2018

Navy veteran and Valrico-based businessman Andrew Learned is reporting he raised more than $64,000 in 2017 in his bid to win the Democratic nomination for Florida’s 15th Congressional District, and currently has more than $22,000 in cash on hand. The district is currently held by Republican Dennis Ross, who has held the seat since 2010. Though Ross’s fourth […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2018

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One of the most competitive Republican primaries in Pinellas County is in House District 66, where Nick DiCeglie and Berny Jacques square off later this year. DiCeglie issued a fundraising email Wednesday, beginning his pitch by mentioning the white-hot topic of so-called “sanctuary cities” in Florida. “Lately, certain Florida officials have been calling to create […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 31, 2018

Acknowledging they’ve been behind the curve in criminal justice reform, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will soon join some of Florida’s biggest counties in offering court diversion for adults. The HCSO announced Wednesday it would begin offering an Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion (ADAP) program for adults 18 years and older beginning Feb. 1. The move comes […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 31, 2018

While distracted driving from smartphone use is leading to even more car accidents and deaths, Florida remains one of only four states in the U.S. where texting-while-driving is a secondary offense, meaning law enforcement officers can just cite a motorist if they’ve committed another moving violation. Legislation making way through the Florida Legislature this Session […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 31, 2018

For the first time since he won the eastern Hillsborough County District 57 House seat in 2012, Republican Jake Raburn will face competition in a general election. Democrat Ronald James Vatalaro, a 34-year-old Ruskin resident who works in digital marketing, filed paperwork on Monday with the Division of Elections to run in the seat. It’s […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 30, 2018

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Three candidates vying in the House District 72 special election engaged in their first — and likely only — televised debate Tuesday night, two weeks before voters decide Feb. 13. Republican James Buchanan, Democrat Margaret Good, and Libertarian Alison Foxall all appeared on the hourlong debate (with commercials) aired on WWSB, the ABC affiliate in Sarasota. Anchor Alan […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 30, 2018

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Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, one of seven Democrats running to succeed Illeana Ros-Lehtinen in Florida’s 27th Congressional District, is airing a television commercial on three cable news networks Tuesday night touting her candidacy during the broadcast of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union. “We have a president and a Congress that are […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 30, 2018

Legislation aimed at reducing the divorce rate by having couples read a marriage guide before their nuptials is making its way through the Legislature — though at least one Democrat has raised concerns about conservative ideology tainting the document. The “Healthy Marriage Guide” (HB 1323) is sponsored in the House by Republicans Clay Yarborough of Jacksonville […]

Mitch Perry
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 11/19/24-Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, talks with the media after organizational session, Tuesday at the Capitol in Tallahassee. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Environmental attorney says Florida more vulnerable to offshore drilling after Ryan Zinke’s remarks

Angela Birdsong not intimidated by Ken Hagan’s fundraising

CD 15 hopeful Andrew Learned tops Democrats in fundraising

HD 66 candidates weigh in on sanctuary cities

Hillsborough County rolls out adult court diversion program

Brett Favre cuts PSA warning against distracted driving in Florida

Democrat Ron Vatalaro looks to challenge Jake Raburn in House District 57

House District 72 candidates hold first TV debate in Sarasota

Congressional hopeful Kristen Rosen Gonzalez airing ad during SOTU

Ideological dispute erupts as ‘Healthy Marriage Guide’ passes House committee