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

Mitch PerryFebruary 12, 2015

Harry Cohen is the establishment favorite to win re-election to his South Tampa District 4 seat next month. The 44-year-old lawyer and former chief deputy clerk of the Circuit Court for Hillsborough County (where he still works on a part-time basis) has been endorsed by all the major newspapers, and some observers speculate that he may be […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 12, 2015

Jim Norman ended a two-decade career in politics in 2012, when he announced he would not run for re-election for the state Senate seat that he won in 2010. It came after Pasco legislator John Legg decided to challenge him in the GOP primary, and it became apparent that the GOP establishment was abandoning him. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2015

Fueled by a well-attended fundraiser at Tampa insurance executive Guy King‘s palatial estate off of Bayshore Boulevard this past month, Jackie Toledo has become the first person running for city council this winter who has raised more than $100,000 ($102,832 to be precise). The District 6 hopeful dominates the fundraising race over her two opponents, […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2015

Although Elizabeth Warren has said she does not intend to challenge Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for president, that hasn’t stopped activists from attempting to draft her to run. And those activists say a new poll of likely Democratic Iowa caucus-goers and New Hampshire primary voters shows there is momentum for such a candidacy. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2015

Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez is feeling confident in his bid for re-election to his District 1 seat next month. Unlike four years ago, where he was competing against four other candidates in his first bid for elected office, Suarez is in solid shape with less than three weeks to go in his primary contest, […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2015

In recent years Tampa City Council members like Mary Mulhern, Yolie Capin, Harry Cohen and Charlie Miranda have made trips to the communist island, as more and more of the political and business establishment say they want the city to be in the best position if and when the now 53-year-old economic embargo ends. Since […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2015

There have been just a handful of forums in this year’s Tampa City Council campaign to date, but one theme has risen above the rest: Downtown Tampa is doing very well, perhaps even thriving. That’s a great thing, but the city needs to spread the wealth out to the rest of its many neighborhoods in […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2015

Last month St. Petersburg-based state Senator Jeff Brandes thrilled advocates for medical marijuana in Florida with a legislative proposal that he introduced for consideration for the 2015 session. It came just months after Floridians voted by nearly 58 percent margin for a medical marijuana constitutional amendment, a substantial mandate, but short of the 60 percent […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2015

A new series of polls taken in the first four states to hold GOP presidential primaries next year shows that although Jeb Bush maintains a small lead in New Hampshire, he cannot be declared the front runner at this early juncture. Although there is no consensus leader, unquestionably the man with the momentum now is […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2015

The nascent activist group Conservatives for Energy Freedom will be holding its first town hall meeting in the Sunshine State, appropriately enough, the Sunshine Center in St. Petersburg tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m. as it starts its statewide “Energy Choice Listening Tour.” Organizers say they want the public to speak out about issues they’ve had […]

Mitch Perry

Kent King says he can better serve Tampa's District 4 on City Council

Mitch Perry Report for 2.12.15 — Jim Norman seriously contemplates return to Hillsborough politics

Jackie Toledo continues to lead all Tampa City Council candidates in fundraising

New poll in N.H. , Iowa shows hunger for Elizabeth Warren candidacy

Mike Suarez goes on air in re-election bid for Tampa City Council

Tampa City Council candidates favor hosting a Cuban consulate

Mitch Perry Report for 2.11.15 — The biggest concern among Tampa residents this election year

Florida House members introduce non-smokeable medical marijuana bill

Scott Walker shoots ahead of Jeb Bush in 3 of 4 early primary/caucus states

Energy Choice Listening Tour begins in St. Pete tonight