Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannApril 22, 2018

Incumbent Bob Cortes has become the first candidate to qualify by petition in his bid for a third term in House District 30. The Altamonte Springs Republican represented HD 30 since 2014. In a minute-long video Facebook video, Cortes said his campaign provided more than 1,100 signatures, and the process “should be completely done and […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2018

With the Republican Party of Hillsborough, $20,000 goes a long way. First, it buys a spot at next month’s Lincoln Day Dinner, seated at a table with Gov. Rick Scott. Scott is headlining the event — themed “Let Freedom Ring” — along with Attorney General Pam Bondi (as Master of Ceremonies) and U.S. Reps. Dennis […]

Phil AmmannApril 19, 2018

Former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor has entered the race for Tampa mayor in 2019. The announcement came early Thursday morning along with invitations to like a new Facebook page “Jane Castor for Mayor.” Invites came from Castor’s longtime partner, Tampa-based lobbyist and political analyst Ana Cruz. Cruz is the daughter of Florida House Minority Leader […]

Phil AmmannApril 16, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Ashley Ross is no longer deputy chief of staff on Commerce, Tourism, and Community Affairs in the Senate President’s office. Off: Holly Maxwell is no longer committee administrative assistant for the Senate […]

Phil AmmannApril 13, 2018

Longtime Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni announced Friday he will undergo series of treatments for a blood disorder known as Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The Treasure Island Republican will receive treatment at Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Center, during which he will continue to receive weekly briefings from the County Administrator. “As a 10-year cancer survivor, I […]

Phil AmmannApril 12, 2018

Now that Adam Putnam is the erstwhile frontrunner in the Florida Governor’s race, the Agriculture Commissioner seems more eager than ever to dump on Gov. Rick Scott. Despite serving nearly eight years in the Florida Cabinet, working shoulder to shoulder with Scott – and standing with the Governor (and newly minted U.S. Senate candidate) at […]

Phil AmmannApril 11, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Holly Maxwell is the committee receptionist for Senate Appropriations. Off: Jay Shannon and Jacob Flaherty are no longer legislative assistants for Fort Lauderdale Democratic Sen. Gary Farmer. Off: Marilyn Barnes is no longer […]

Phil AmmannApril 10, 2018

Ed Turanchik launched his bid for Tampa Mayor in style. The Tampa attorney/developer/transit activist raised more than $155,000 through the end of March, as well as drawing more than 500 people to a campaign kickoff event held last week. “I am thrilled and humbled by the support our campaign has received,” Turanchik said Tuesday. “We […]

Phil AmmannApril 10, 2018

One day after news broke of the alternative weekly Creative Loafing Tampa sale, the Tampa Bay Times is making some changes to its own free newspaper. Beginning June 7, tbt* – the Times’ free daily tabloid – will “return to its roots” as a weekly publication. According to a statement Tuesday, the change will help […]

Phil AmmannApril 9, 2018

Just hours before Rick Scott officially launches his U.S. Senate run, Democrats are pulling out all the stops, offering a glimpse of the contentious race to come this November. In a last-minute email Sunday evening, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee released its most pejorative attacks yet against Florida’s Republican Governor — who is launching his […]

Phil Ammann
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Bob Cortes qualifies by petition for HD 30 re-election bid

Hillsborough GOP event to feature both Rick Scott, Colt handgun raffle

Jane Castor enters race for Tampa Mayor in 2019

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Pinellas Commissioner John Morroni to undergo medical treatment

Adam Putnam keeps dumping on Rick Scott’s legacy

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Ed Turanchik kicks off campaign for Tampa Mayor with $155K, big crowds

CL sale, rising costs forcing tbt* to ‘return to roots’ as a weekly

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee pre-buts Rick Scott’s Senate launch