Local

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2016

With the Florida presidential primary now history, attention and energy will now go to some of the congressional elections upcoming later this summer. Former Governor Charlie Crist is the leading candidate at the moment to win the open CD 13 seat in Pinellas County, and he got a shot in the arm Thursday with no fewer than […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 17, 2016

On the campaign trail, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said the city wasn’t getting what it deserved from Tallahassee. In the 2016 Legislative Session, Curry delivered. He made frequent trips out west to lobby lawmakers and the Governor regarding the pension tax and other local priorities. And he enlisted Marty Fiorentino to helm a concerted lobbying […]

Ryan RayMarch 17, 2016

Democratic candidate Sean Shaw said in a memo to supporters he’s “truly humbled” by early fundraising returns in his bid for an open HD 61 seat based in Tampa. “In just 72 hours, you’ve given more than $5,000,” said Shaw. “Because of your response, we’re already putting together our team and building the GOTV operation that will win here.” […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2016

The Tampa City Council on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution calling on elected officials in Congress to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the controversial free trade agreement between the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim nations. It’s intended to reduce trade barriers between the 12 countries by lowering tariffs on goods, coordinating regulations and much more. The proposal […]

Melissa RossMarch 17, 2016

Pressing hard on issues ranging from homelessness to what to do about ex-offenders leaving prison, ICARE Jax, or the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment, is unveiling its 2016 action plan this week at a major rally. “A new initiative we’ll talk about is that we want to engage a process to help more […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 17, 2016

Preston Oughton, a Jacksonville Democrat, filed to run in the HD 16 race earlier this month. Oughton is an attorney and a graduate of the local Florida Coastal School of Law. Oughton will face the winner of the primary between School Board member Jason Fischer and Dick Kravitz, a former State Legislator who now works in a greeter/customer […]

Drew WilsonMarch 17, 2016

Incumbent Democrat Bruce Antone may have to go through another primary challenge to win his third term in the Florida House. Democrat Sheena Meade filed to run for the House District 46 seat Feb. 29 and, according to her campaign website, she plans to peg Antone as one of the “same old elected officials” practicing […]

Drew WilsonMarch 17, 2016

One of Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia’s interns has filed to run in House District 49, setting up a battle between two young aspiring politicians in the Orange County seat. Amber Mariano filed paperwork to run for the seat as a Republican Monday, joining Democrat Carlos Guillermo Smith, who worked as former Rep. Joe Saunders’ chief […]

Staff ReportsMarch 17, 2016

Wednesday saw Governor Rick Scott announce one appointment and one reappointment of Jacksonville doctors to the Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel. The new appointment to fill a vacancy: Dr. Yvette McCarter, the Director of Clinical Microbiology at UFHealth Jacksonville College of Medicine. Her term will end in October, 2018. Reappointed through 2019: Carleen Van Siclen, a laboratory education […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2016

Rick Baker is still thinking about entering the CD 13 race. The former St. Petersburg Mayor said so last Saturday night at the Pinellas County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner in St. Pete. When asked what his timetable was, Baker replied, “It’s gotta be soon.” Conventional wisdom is that the newly configured district is no longer viable for […]

Local
Girls at a Boys & Girls Club in Rhode Island. Image via AP.

Five St. Pete City Council endorse Charlie Crist in CD 13 race

Lenny Curry, other Jax pols, trumpet 2016 budget as what “winning looks like”

Email Insights: Sean Shaw thanks supporters for early fundraising push

Tampa City Council passes resolution opposing Trans Pacific Partnership

ICARE pushes on “systemic” Jacksonville issues of crime, homelessness, poverty

Democrat Preston Oughton files in HD 16

Bruce Antone draws Democratic primary challenger in HD 46

Rene Plasencia’s intern files in HD 49 race

2 Jax doctors appointed to state Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel

Rick Baker expected to announce soon whether he’s in or out in CD 13 contest