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

Mitch PerryAugust 31, 2016

Although Pam Keith was always in the Senate race to win it, she won’t deny the sense of satisfaction she felt Wednesday, even though she came up well short of defeating Patrick Murphy for the Democratic nomination. Keith captured more than 173,000 votes in the Florida Democratic Primary, finishing less than 2.5 percent behind Alan […]

Mitch PerryAugust 31, 2016

The Republican race for House District 60 was a nail-biter Tuesday night, with civil engineer Jackie Toledo getting just 246 more votes (out of 12,528 cast) than businesswoman Rebecca Smith, giving her a less than two-percentage-point victory. Smith was the clear GOP establishment favorite in the race, but obviously, not among the electorate. Toledo raised […]

Mitch PerryAugust 31, 2016

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Democrat Frank Alcock is wasting no time in preparing for his formidable challenge running against Republican Greg Steube in the Florida Senate District 23 race — and he’s doing it on wheels. Dubbing it “Tour de Frank,” Alcock — an associate professor of political science at New College of Florida and frequent television commentator — will begin a Labor Day weekend 100-plus-mile bicycle […]

Mitch PerryAugust 31, 2016

Good morning, everyone. Florida’s primary election is history. So, where to begin? Patrick Murphy will face Marco Rubio in November. Murphy crushed Alan Grayson, 59 to 18 percent, with Pam Keith a close third at 15 percent. Rubio gets credit for honesty, saying that he can’t say for sure that he’ll fulfill all six years of his term if elected, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

A constitutional amendment intended to expand the use of solar power in Florida has passed. The measure is winning statewide by a huge 73 percent to 27 percent margin. The measure needed 60 percent to win. Amendment 4 exempts solar devices and equipment from being subject to the personal tangible property tax. A business that currently has solar […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

After a long delay in collecting some ballots in Hillsborough County, St. Petersburg based attorney and outgoing House District 70 Representative Darryl Rouson has received 61 more votes than Ed Narain in the Senate District 19 Democratic Primary race, out of 37,687 votes cast. Because of the narrow margin, there will be an automatic machine recount, but unless something dramatic […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

Sean Shaw will be returning to Tallahassee next year, representing Hillsborough County’s House District 61, which encompasses Ybor City, Tampa Heights, Seminole Heights, and East Tampa. In an incredibly tight race, the Tampa attorney defeated East Tampa activist and businesswoman Dianne Hart, getting 42.71 percent of the vote to Hart’s 41.92 percent. Shaw received 6,696 votes to Hart’s […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

In one of the most closely watched congressional primaries in the nation, Debbie Wasserman Schultz defeated her Democratic challenger, law professor Tim Canova, 57 percent to 43 percent, to win another two-year term representing Florida’s 23rd Congressional District. Wasserman Schultz has held her suburban Fort Lauderdale-based seat since 2004 and had never been challenged in a primary election […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

Joe Gruters holds a narrow lead over Steve Vernon in the Republican race in House District 73. Gruters has a slight lead, 10,342 to Vernon’s 9,958. That’s Gruters with a 50.95 percent support, and Vernon at 49.05 percent. The winner will advance to the general election in November to face off against Democrat James Golden, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

Daniel Webster defeated Justin Grabelle in the Republican Primary for Florida’s 11th Congressional District. Webster won by taking 58 percent of the vote to Grabelle’s 42 percent. Webster will now take on Democrat Dave Koller and independent Bruce Ray Riggs in November. Although Webster has served in the House for the past six years, this […]

Mitch Perry

With more than 173,000 votes, Senate hopeful Pam Keith says she feels like a winner

David Singer compares Jackie Toledo to Donald Trump as the HD 60 general election race begins

Frank Alcock ‘taking it to the streets’ as he begins general election campaign against Greg Steube in SD 23 race

Mitch Perry Report for 8.31.16 — Moving on to November

Amendment 4 wins — measure would expand solar power in Florida

Darryl Rouson gets 61 more votes than Ed Narain in SD 19 race, and is unofficial winner

Sean Shaw narrowly defeats Dianne Hart in House District 61 race

Debbie Wasserman Schultz handily defeats Tim Canova in CD 23

Joe Gruters narrowly defeats Steve Vernon in HD 73 GOP race

Daniel Webster defeats Justin Grabelle in CD 11