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

Mitch PerryMay 17, 2017

Dr. Ben Carson, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Donald Trump administration, will be the keynote speaker for the Hillsborough County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner scheduled for June 9. That announcement was made Tuesday night by Deborah Tamargo, the chair of the Hillsborough GOP, at the party’s monthly meeting in Tampa. Congressmen Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan […]

Mitch PerryMay 16, 2017

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Kathy Castor is not interested in running for Tampa mayor in 2019. Elected in November to a sixth term in Congress representing Hillsborough County, the idea that Castor was contemplating leaving Washington to succeed Bob Buckhorn was floated by Patrick Manteiga in his La Gaceta column late last month. On Tuesday, Castor dismissed such speculation. “You know, I love […]

Mitch PerryMay 16, 2017

Gus Bilirakis is calling on Donald Trump to speak about the deteriorating state of human rights in Turkey, just before the president is scheduled to sit down with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House Tuesday. “As it is a critical moment for Turkey and the U.S.-Turkish relationship, the United States must be candid and consistent in […]

Mitch PerryMay 16, 2017

A host of political and education issues came together Tuesday in West Tampa to trash the massive $419 million public education bill that GOP lawmakers unveiled and passed in the final days of the Legislative Session. “This is the mother of all education bills, ” said Rep. Sean Shaw. The Tampa Democrat was referring to House Bill 7069, […]

Mitch PerryMay 16, 2017

Unlike the other four Democrats who have either entered the race for governor or are seriously flirting with the possibility, Winter Park businessman Chris King is somewhat of a blank slate for the majority of party members in Florida. That’s why appearances at events like Monday night’s Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee are taking on added significance. “We […]

Mitch PerryMay 15, 2017

Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) stops in Tampa Wednesday for public comments on potential changes to the state Constitution. However, progressive groups are once again calling upon the Rules Working Group to improve what they say is a lack of transparency in how the CRC conducts these meetings. The Constitution Revision Commission is a group of […]

Mitch PerryMay 15, 2017

Hialeah-based Republican state Sen. Rene Garcia is not running for Florida’s 27th Congressional District, the seat being vacated next year by 29-year incumbent Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. “While the district represents a great part of the community and county that I love, I cannot continue to serve the public knowing that I would be abandoning the city of Hialeah and the […]

Mitch PerryMay 15, 2017

Near the end of Rick Baker‘s 36-minute speech announcing a re-election challenge to Mayor Rick Kriseman, the former two-term mayor invoked his mantra of St. Petersburg being a “seamless city” — and that includes the LGBT community. “A lot has been said about me and the LGBT community by my opponent and by others,” he said on the […]

Mitch PerryMay 12, 2017

Greg Pilkington is one of a handful of aspiring Democrats who have filed to challenge Dennis Ross in Florida’s 15th Congressional District next year. Nevertheless, Pilkington may be the best organized of the bunch at this early point in the election cycle. Since entering the race, he’s hired some political pros to help him in his attempt […]

Mitch PerryMay 11, 2017

On Election Night 2016, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Steve Schale was at an Orlando brewpub. The Democratic strategist opened his laptop to review his state’s election returns. “It’s in real bad shape,” Schale told Hillary Clinton pollster John Anzalone and campaign consultant Jim Margolis in a phone call. “What the f**k are you talking about,” Anzalone asked disbelieving, according to “Shattered,” a riveting look behind the scenes […]

Mitch Perry
Supporters celebrate the opening of a wheel-chair accessible playground at Anastasia State Park. Image via Florida State Parks Foundation.

Ben Carson to keynote Hillsborough GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner

Kathy Castor dismisses talk of her running for Tampa mayor

Gus Bilirakis wants Donald Trump to talk human rights when meeting Turkish president

In Tampa, public officials blast education bill, urge Rick Scott veto

Chris King says uncontested Republican rule has failed Florida’s working families

Activists express concern about transparency of Tampa CRC meeting Wednesday

Rene Garcia opts not to run for CD 27 seat

Rick Baker recognizes previous stances on LGBT community will be campaign issue; Will it make a difference?

CD 15 hopeful Greg Pilkington believes 2018 will be a big year for Democrats – including himself

Steve Schale on the night the lights went out on Hillary Clinton in Florida