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

Mitch PerryJanuary 15, 2018

When Dunedin-based Democrat Bernie Fensterwald III entered the local political scene two years ago, there was significant attention paid to his personal finances after documents showed he was worth $19.8 million. Criticism ultimately followed after he lost his challenge to Republican Chris Sprowls in the House District 65 seat, spending just $35,000 in the race, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2018

As the Florida House was approving a proposal championed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran to ban so-called sanctuary cities, Bob Buckhorn was ridiculing the notion in front of an audience approximately 300 miles to the south. At the St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater Friday, Tampa’s mayor argued that there are no such entities in the state of […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2018

For years (or even decades), Florida environmentalists have faulted investor-owned utilities for a reluctance to embrace solar power in the Sunshine State. But that’s beginning to change, with no utility doing more on that front than Tampa Electric Company. Soon after Canadian energy firm Emera purchased TECO last year for $10.4 billion, the Tampa-based utility […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

The nation’s second largest educators union is targeting two South Florida Republicans over their position on DACA. It comes as the clock continues to count down for Congress to find a solution for the young immigrants known as “Dreamers” before President Donald Trump will cancel an Obama-era executive order known as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

Campaigns for two major candidates competing for Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial nomination traded verbal jabs Thursday. Former Tallahassee Congresswoman Gwen Graham has been the early leader in the four-person field, but Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine declared it’s now becoming a two-person race. That left the Graham camp feeling “threatened” by the challenge, Levine claimed in a […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

The Tampa City Council voted 6-0 on Thursday to approve an ordinance aimed at curbing human trafficking by cracking down on illicit massage parlors. The measure is a revision to an 1980s-era bathhouse ordinance, adapted to close the loopholes that allow such massage parlors in Tampa to operate. It comes after months of advocacy by the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

In past election cycles, the Hillsborough County Democratic Party struggled to field legitimate candidates to challenge Republicans in local and statewide elections. This year, that’s not the case, with the county’s District 5 race a shining example. No fewer than five Democrats have filed to run in the (theoretically) open countywide seat, where the biggest […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

One of the most competitive Republican primaries in Tampa Bay is the race for the House District 66 seat being vacated by Seminole Republican Larry Ahern. Pinellas GOP Chairman Nick DiCeglie is taking on St. Petersburg attorney Berny Jacques. Jacques entered the race early last year, and has raised a total of $133,000 for his bid – […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

St. Petersburg House District 70 Democrat Wengay Newton now has two opponents going after him as he attempts to win reelection this summer, but at least at this early junction, he’s not being challenged seriously when it comes to fundraising. Newton raised $1,000 in December, and has now raised $17,370 overall for the seat with […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

Siesta Key Democrat Margaret Good raised nearly twice as much campaign money than Republican James Buchanan in December in the special election for House District 72. Good raised $106,830 in December, Buchanan $55,000. Libertarian Alison Foxall raised $3,480 last month. The special election will take place on Feb. 13 to replace Republican Alex Miller, who stepped […]

Mitch Perry
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Bernie Fensterwald: Democrat wants to be true ‘citizen legislator’

Tampa Bay mayors come out swinging against GOP-led Legislature at Tiger Bay

Bury ’em: Utility chief favors underground power lines

Down on Dreamers? Teachers’ union targets Fla. GOP members of Congress

Sparks fly as Philip Levine spars with Gwen Graham campaign

Tampa City Council approves crackdown on massage parlors

Hillsborough Democrats host District 5 forum, first for 2018

Nick DiCeglie’s fundraising outpaces Berny Jacques’ in HD 66 primary

Wengay Newton continues to increase fundraising advantage in HD 70 race

Democrat Margaret Good fundraising coming on strong as HD 72 special election heats up