Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannNovember 7, 2017

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One of the most contentious, and expensive, mayoral races in St. Petersburg history — christened the “battle of the Ricks” — is finally over. And, as expected, it was a close race; first-term incumbent Mayor Rick Kriseman narrowly defeated former two-term Mayor Rick Baker 51.55 to 48.45 percent. St. Pete voters cast ballots Tuesday to determine […]

Phil AmmannNovember 7, 2017

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Aisha Bien-Aime is the new legislative assistant for Ocoee Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy. On: Amelia Johnson Smith is district secretary for Melbourne Republican Sen. Debbie Mayfield. On and off: Staz Guntek has replaced Joseph […]

Phil AmmannNovember 3, 2017

Three prominent Democratic leaders from Tampa and St. Petersburg are lining up behind Gwen Graham’s bid for governor. Former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis of Tampa, former Pinellas County-area state Rep. Dwight Dudley and St. Pete Councilman Karl Nurse are each endorsing Graham in a campaign announcement Friday. Davis, a former Florida House majority leader, congressman and […]

Phil AmmannNovember 1, 2017

In early voting for Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg municipal elections, more than 104,000 people have now cast a ballot. As of Wednesday morning, Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark posted new early vote and vote-by-mail numbers; of by-mail voting out of 265,039 mail ballots sent, about 39 percent – 103,936 – returned. Adding […]

Phil AmmannOctober 27, 2017

Rick Baker is not quite finished with Kevin King. In a new radio ad released Friday morning, the former two-term mayor is once again blasting incumbent St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman for a “lack of judgment” in hiring King as his longtime chief of staff. Throughout the week, Baker’s campaign continually hammered his opponent on […]

Phil AmmannOctober 27, 2017

When it comes to statewide races in 2018, does Northeast Florida have a dog in the hunt? That’s a matter of interpretation. One of our big scoops this week — Congressman Ron DeSantis (insiders affirm) is ramping up for a possible run for Florida governor. DeSantis’ wife is on local television; he represents a district […]

Phil AmmannOctober 24, 2017

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is endorsing Mike Wells for re-election to the Pasco County Board of Commissioners. The Tarpon Springs Republican represents much of Pasco County in Florida’s 12th Congressional District. Wells, now in his first term in District 4, serves as vice-chair of the Commission. “During his first term in office, Mike Wells has […]

Phil AmmannOctober 21, 2017

In early voting for Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg municipal elections, more than 75,200 people have already voted. On Friday, Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark posted updated vote-by-mail numbers; so far, her office sent 264,468 mail ballots, with a little over 28 percent – 75,288 – returned. By party, 28,174 Democrats, 32,451 Republicans […]

Phil AmmannOctober 20, 2017

Any remaining doubts that national partisan politics are playing a big role in the St. Petersburg mayoral race have been answered. On Friday, the Florida Democratic Party debuted “Sunshine Vision,” a new ad highlighting the progress made by incumbent Mayor Rick Kriseman and his “bold leadership” for St. Petersburg. Kriseman faces former two-term Mayor Rick […]

Phil AmmannOctober 20, 2017

Swing districts drawing more interest and more campaign cash Like other states around the country, Florida will have precious few competitive districts in the 2018 midterm elections. The third quarter campaign finance reports paint an interesting picture of those swing districts, especially those targeted by the opposing party. In the Senate, Bill Nelson could have […]

Phil Ammann

‘Battle of Ricks’ ends; Rick Kriseman narrowly re-elected as St. Pete mayor

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Gwen Graham gets nod from Tampa, St. Pete Democratic leaders

Over 104K votes now cast ahead of Pinellas County, St. Pete elections

Rick Baker not yet finished with Kevin King, ad blasts Rick Kriseman ‘tolerance’

Jacksonville Bold for 10.27.17 — Looking toward 2018

Gus Bilirakis backs Mike Wells for Pasco County Commissioner

More than 75K votes cast in Pinellas County, St. Pete elections

New Florida Dems ad touts Rick Kriseman’s ‘Sunshine Vision,’ bashes Trump

The Delegation for 10.20.17 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State