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

Mitch PerryJanuary 9, 2018

A Republican super PAC backed by House leadership with field offices in two South Florida congressional districts is reporting $15 million cash-on-hand going into the 2018 elections. The Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) raised $26 million last year, officials say, a quantum leap from 2015, when it raised just $497,000, with $865,793 cash-on-hand at the time. […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 9, 2018

Looking for a way to distinguish himself in an eight-candidate field for the Democratic nomination in Florida’s 27th Congressional District contest, former Knight Foundation Program Director and Miami Herald reporter Matt Haggman is pledging to only accept contributions from people — and not political action committees. “If Democrats believe corporations aren’t people (they aren’t), and that PACs […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 8, 2018

Saying he’s proud to be the underdog in the race, Topher Morrison is running for Tampa mayor, becoming the second candidate to declare for the March 2019 elections. Morrison made the announcement Monday at the 1895 Kitchen-Bar-Market on Franklin Street (the oldest building in downtown Tampa), speaking at a podium literally backed by friends and other small-business people. […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 8, 2018

Billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer is nothing if not ambitious. Steyer, a Democratic mega-donor and environmental activist, announced Monday the launch of the most extensive youth-organizing program in American history, with a commitment to spend $30 million in at least ten states, including Florida, this fall ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. “Today, we’re putting Donald Trump and the entire GOP on […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 8, 2018

Wengay Newton received a rebuke Monday when several high-profile St. Petersburg Democrats announced their support of Vito Sheeley, the political operative challenging the incumbent in the overwhelmingly Democratic House District 70 this year. In a joint statement, Pinellas County School Board Chair Rene Flowers, Pinellas County Commission Chair Ken Welch, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and City Council Chair Lisa Wheeler-Bowman said they […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 8, 2018

Kathy Castor is endorsing longtime neighborhood and environmentalist activist Mariella Smith in her bid for Hillsborough County Commission District 5. “Mariella Smith is a champion for citizens, our neighborhoods, a healthy environment and a strong local economy,” the Hillsborough County congresswoman said in a statement Monday. “She has a deep understanding of how to move […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 8, 2018

Tampa’s City Council is poised to approve an ordinance Thursday that attempts to curb illicit activity at massage parlors. But critics maintain the move is a misdirected effort that will only hurt the people it’s intended to help. Aimed at combating human sex trafficking, the ordinance came to the council’s attention last year via members […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 6, 2018

Republican Todd Marks has to run for the District 1 seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. The attorney and small-business owner joins Aakash Patel in the race for the GOP nomination. Florida House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz, who is term-limited from running again, is the lone Democrat in the race. Marks runs Westchase Law, a Tampa-based law […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 6, 2018

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Eastern Hillsborough County Rep. Ross Spano entered the Republican attorney general’s race later than his three other opponents; now he is attempting to catch up in creating a buzz around his candidacy. The Dover Republican announced Thursday endorsements from seven of his GOP colleagues with whom he serves in the Florida House: Larry Ahern from Seminole; […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 5, 2018

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House District 72 Republican candidate James Buchanan opposes the Trump administration’s plan to open up offshore drilling off the coast of Florida. “I’m against it,” the Sarasota real estate agent and broker told Florida Politics Friday. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke proposed Thursday a sweeping new offshore drilling plan that intends to open large sections of the Atlantic, Arctic […]

Mitch Perry
Joel Rudman with wife Sophie. Photo via Rudman.

Two GOP House election organizations report record-breaking 2017

Congressional candidate Matt Haggman says he won’t take PAC money

Self-proclaimed underdog Topher Morrison announces bid for Tampa mayor

Tom Steyer group to spend millions in Florida to bring out millennial voters

High-profile St. Pete Democrats now backing Vito Sheeley in contentious HD 70 primary

Kathy Castor is Mariella Smith’s first major endorsement for county commission bid

Activists make late push against Tampa’s massage parlor crackdown

Republican Todd Marks takes aim at Hillsborough Commission District 1 seat

Ross Spano garners endorsement of 7 House Republicans for AG bid

James Buchanan adds to GOP disapproval on offshore drilling