Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannApril 8, 2018

With only hours away from Rick Scott’s highly anticipated U.S. Senate campaign launch, a super PAC dedicated to electing Democrats released a new digital ad highlighting the Republican Governor’s history of “self-serving at the expense of Floridians.” Part of a six-figure digital campaign throughout the state, Senate Majority PAC produced the 30-second spot — “Won’t […]

Phil AmmannApril 6, 2018

In this week’s Bold, a recurring motif … pitched political speech. From a senator saying the president could kick off the next Great Depression, to a gubernatorial campaign telling an opponent is DOA, the knives were out. Shivs went toward Jacksonville’s mayor for exploring the value of JEA. And toward a chair of a local party […]

Phil AmmannMarch 31, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill this week aimed at eradicating invasive species, such as the rightly maligned Burmese python, from wreaking havoc in Sunshine State ecosystems. SB 168 creates a pilot program within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) allowing them to hire private contractors to capture or kill any of a […]

Phil AmmannMarch 30, 2018

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis named longtime health care lobbyist Bryan Anderson to another term on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) Board of Directors. Anderson is vice president of government relations for Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) National Group, which includes Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, California and Alaska. First appointed […]

Phil AmmannMarch 30, 2018

Saying “sweat equity” was simply not enough, Randy Cooper is exiting the race for Manatee County’s House District 71. “I started running for this seat a year ago and have put my heart, soul, and a lot of sweat equity in this campaign but have to admit that it just was not enough,” Cooper, a […]

Phil AmmannMarch 21, 2018

Americans for Prosperity-Florida will be running a new digital ad in the Tampa Bay region warning against using public money to build a new Rays baseball stadium — either in St. Petersburg or Ybor City. Unveiled Wednesday, the 30-second animated ad, produced by the activist group founded by the billionaire conservative brothers Charles and David […]

Phil AmmannMarch 14, 2018

David Jolly will remain a spectator, albeit an active one, in 2018. The former U.S. Representative is not looking to return to elective politics this year, referring to a tight Pennsylvania 18th Congressional District special election Tuesday night in a district Donald Trump won by more than 20 points in 2016. Making the announcement on […]

Phil AmmannMarch 13, 2018

Voters in a dozen Pinellas County municipalities decided races Tuesday night. Among the municipalities holding elections were Belleair, Belleair Beach, Clearwater, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Kenneth City, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park, Redington Beach, Safety Harbor, South Pasadena and Treasure Island. A roundup of some of the unofficial results from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections: […]

Phil AmmannMarch 13, 2018

Longtime Belleair Mayor Gary Katica has easily defeated his relatively unknown challenger, Spencer Connerat, Tuesday evening. Katica, 84, has served as mayor of the small Pinellas County community for a dozen years, any took a decisive 83 percent of the vote, according to the county supervisor of elections unofficial results. The mayor had refused to […]

Phil AmmannMarch 13, 2018

An incumbent and a newcomer are winners in two Clearwater City Council races Tuesday evening. Hoyt Hamilton will return to Seat 5, taking 79 percent of the vote, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections unofficial results. He defeated real-estate broker John Funk. This will be Hamilton’s third stint on the Council, having previously […]

Phil Ammann

Hours before campaign launch, Senate Democratic PAC blasts ‘self-serving’ Rick Scott

Jacksonville Bold for 4.6.18 — Shiv season

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Python purge

Bryan Anderson renamed to Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury board

Randy Cooper exits HD 71 race, will support Tracy Pratt

Americans for Prosperity warns ‘taxpayers lose’ with Tampa Bay stadium

Politics is about timing: David Jolly won’t run for elected office in 2018

Voters decide several Pinellas County municipal seats

Belleair Mayor Gary Katica wins re-election in blowout

Hoyt Hamilton, David Allbritton win Clearwater City Council seats