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

Mitch PerryNovember 9, 2017

Lois Frankel is backing Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in her bid to knock off GOP incumbent Carlos Curbelo in Florida’s 26th Congressional District in 2018. “Debbie is a leader in her community, working to expand health care access to underserved communities and provide scholarships for first-generation college students,” said the Palm Beach County Democratic congresswoman in a statement. […]

Mitch PerryNovember 9, 2017

Tampa attorney Jamey Moody, the son of Federal Judge James S. Moody and brother of Republican attorney general candidate Ashley Moody, has filed for the Hillsborough County 13th Circuit Court Group 25 race next year. Moody received an undergraduate and J.D. from the University of Florida and was named a member of Super Lawyers Rising Stars […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

Kathy Castor is not happy with a series of measures published by the White House Wednesday that tightening limits on Americans’ dealings with Cuba. The Tampa Democratic congresswoman is bothered by the package, which includes a blacklist of state-owned companies and entities, including shops and hotels. It also requires most U.S. citizens wanting to travel to […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

Despite lingering questions, mostly about liability, a House panel on Wednesday unanimously cleared a proposal that would encourage autonomous vehicles in Florida. The legislation (HB 353), sponsored by Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur and Jacksonville Republican Jason Fischer, aims to update sections of Florida’s motor vehicle laws that “require or presume” there’s a human behind the wheel. Fischer told […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

George Niemann decided: If he can’t beat ’em, why not join ’em? The Dover activist, who has filed at least 10 ethics complaints against Tampa and Hillsborough County officials over the past decade, will be running as a write-in candidate in the countywide open County Commission District 5 seat being vacated next year by Ken Hagan. […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

Two Democratic lawmakers filed proposals this week that seek to expand a pilot needle-exchange program approved in 2016 for Miami-Dade County. After four unsuccessful tries, the Legislature finally passed a bill to create needle exchange program in Florida during the 2016 Legislative Session. Modest in scope, the bill was limited to only in Miami-Dade County. […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

UPDATED Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Agency (HARTA) CEO Katharine Eagan is leaving the agency to become the CEO of the Port Authority for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. She has agreed to a five-year contract at a salary of $230,000 a year and is scheduled to start in January. HART will select an interim CEO in December. “The […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

Legislation that forces local governments to hold sales tax referendum only on the date of a primary or general election was approved by a House committee in Tallahassee. Sponsored by Spring Hill Republican Blaise Ingoglia, the bill (HB 317) is similar to other proposals to come before the Legislature in recent years but failed to […]

Mitch PerryNovember 7, 2017

Unlike the August 29 primary, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman went into the general election as the favorite against former Mayor Rick Baker. But margins were slim. Much to the consternation of Baker (and his supporters), early returns of the evening — which included early vote/vote-by-mail — gave Kriseman an advantage of two percentage points, a margin […]

Mitch PerryNovember 7, 2017

Realtor Brandi Gabbard has won a seat on the St. Petersburg City Council, defeating banker Barclay Harless 61 percent to 39 percent. The contest featured two candidates with distinctive backgrounds and policy prescriptions who competed all year long to succeed Jim Kennedy. He served on the board for 10 years, making him the longest-serving current council […]

Mitch Perry
Image via AP.

Lois Frankel endorses Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for Congress

Jamey Moody files to run for Hillsborough Circuit Court Judge

Kathy Castor blasts Donald Trump’s new Cuban travel restrictions

‘Autonomous vehicles’ bill advances despite liability concerns

Activist George Niemann files as write-in for Hillsborough Commission

Lawmakers seek expansion of needle-exchange program

HART CEO Katharine Eagan to leave for transit position in Pittsburgh

Bill limiting local tax referendums passes House committee

Bedlam at Rick Kriseman election watch party; bitterness at Rick Baker’s

Brandi Gabbard defeats Barclay Harless in St. Pete City Council District 2