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

Mitch PerryMay 25, 2017

Like most Americans, Gus Bilirakis was repulsed after seeing footage last week of bodyguards for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan beating up peaceful protesters in Washington D.C. State Department officials expressed “concern to the Turkish government in the strongest possible terms” and summoned the Turkish Ambassador for a visit. That was pretty much it. Now, Bilirakis is […]

Mitch PerryMay 24, 2017

Members of Tampa’s political, business, media and activist communities weighed in Wednesday on the surprising news that Tampa will host the Super Bowl in February 2021. The announcement was unexpected, particularly after the NFL snubbed a local bid last year to host the big game in either 2019, 2020 and 2021. But major rainstorms in Southern […]

Mitch PerryMay 24, 2017

As a member of an alternative third party, Shawn Gilliam’s worldview and ideology are not easily explained; it could make it hard to break through with voters in House District 58. The 32-year-old Plant City resident recently filed to run for the seat currently held by Plant City Republican Dan Raulerson. A recent convert to the Green Party, he […]

Mitch PerryMay 24, 2017

For Ryan Torrens, the primary job of a state attorney general is consumer protection; it’s something the 32-year-old Odessa-based lawyer does every day. That’s why Torrens, who specializes in foreclosure defense and consumer protection litigation, became the first Democrat to file for Florida’s Attorney General race in 2018. “We have helped so many people, and so […]

Mitch PerryMay 23, 2017

Adam Putnam, the leading Republican candidate for governor in 2018, weighed in on the state’s massive K-12 public schools bill, which affects everything from charter schools to school uniforms. Gov. Rick Scott “ought to take a hard look at vetoing [HB 7069],” Putnam said Tuesday according to AP reporter Gary Fineout. Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner made his remarks before the monthly Cabinet meeting […]

Mitch PerryMay 23, 2017

Three prominent Tampa Bay-area Democrats are lining up behind Gwen Graham in her bid for Florida governor. St. Petersburg-based state Sen. Darryl Rouson, St. Petersburg City Council Chair Darden Rice and Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez are endorsing the former congresswoman, the Graham campaign announced Tuesday. “I’m honored to have the support of these Tampa and St. Petersburg […]

Mitch PerryMay 23, 2017

Floridians interested in crime and the criminal justice system in their own communities have a new tool at their disposal. At 9 a.m. Tuesday, the nonprofit Measures for Justice (MFJ) launched a first-of-its-kind Data Portal seeking to bring transparency to the criminal justice process — from arrest to post-conviction at the county level — throughout Florida and other […]

Mitch PerryMay 23, 2017

Though the 2018 congressional elections are still a year and a half away, the news headlines continue to make Democrats believe that 2018 will be a wave election that could see them take over the House of Representatives. It won’t be easy, even if the daily revelations from Washington continue to chip away at President Donald […]

Mitch PerryMay 22, 2017

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Over the course of six years as mayor, Bob Buckhorn has said things that have offended some people, but he has rarely (if ever) been forced to apologize. Until now. Unless you’ve been avoiding local (now national) press over the past couple of days, you know the mayor has been (metaphorically) under fire since the Tampa Bay […]

Mitch PerryMay 22, 2017

Among the loudest critics of U.S. House Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act this year has been the AARP. “That plan would repeal the expansion of Medicaid that was voluntarily adopted by 31 states, some Republican and some Democratic, so that they could cover millions of poor people with good health […]

Mitch Perry

In letter, Gus Bilirakis demands justice for American attacked by Turkish security detail

For many, Tampa’s 2021 Super Bowl is unexpected ‘big win.’ Others remain skeptical.

Unconventional Green Party candidate Shawn Mathis Gilliam files for HD 58 race

Citing need for ‘new energy,’ Ryan Torrens becomes first Democrat in Attorney General race

Adam Putnam weighs in on controversial education bill

Three Tampa Bay Democratic lawmakers line up behind Gwen Graham for governor

New national website gives data on how justice is served in every Florida county

GOP mocks national Dems for ‘zero chance’ of beating Vern Buchanan in 2018

Bob Buckhorn apologies for military conference joke

AARP president predicts new GOP health care plan will score ‘somewhat’ worse than original