Tampa Bay

Joe HendersonAugust 21, 2018

An item on the agenda for Friday’s Hillsborough County School Board meeting could lead people to believe it is seeking a referendum for a sales-tax hike in November to pay for major capital needs. Not so fast. Superintendent Jeff Eakins told Florida Politics late Monday that while the district is not ruling it out, the […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Medical Association on Monday endorsed Dianne Hart in the Democratic primary for Tampa-based House District 61. “The FMA PAC is proud to endorse Dianne Hart for Florida House,” said FMA PAC president Mike Patete. “Ms. Hart has worked hard in her community for many years through her work with […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

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Tampa businessman Aakash Patel picked up another endorsement for his Hillsborough County Commission campaign Monday, adding to his stack of backers in the closing days before voters decide whether he or attorney Todd Marks will get the Republican nomination for the countywide District 7 seat. “I am honored to endorse Aakash Patel in his run […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

House Minority Leader Janet Cruz announced Monday that she was yanking her endorsement of School Board member Susan Valdes. Valdes is running in the Democratic primary to decide who will succeed Cruz, the outgoing House Democratic Leader, in House District 62. “At a time when we’re learning Hillsborough schools have (broken) ACs, leaky roofs and […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

Tampa Democrat Mike Alvarez scored a last-minute endorsement from Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn in the race to succeed House Minority Leader Janet Cruz in Hillsborough County’s House District 62. “There is only one candidate in this race that speaks to the heart and soul of this district and that is Mike Alvarez,” Buckhorn said. “He […]

Drew WilsonAugust 19, 2018

The two Republican contenders to succeed term-limited Rep. Larry Ahern in House District 66 have already spent nearly $335,000 combined and show little sign of slowing down as the primary election approaches. Seminole attorney Berny Jacques held on to his fundraising lead after bringing $50,660 between his campaign account and political committee, Protect Pinellas, during […]

Drew WilsonAugust 18, 2018

Madeira Beach attorney Ray Blacklidge posted another healthy round of campaign finance reports ahead of his head-to-head showdown with St. Petersburg attorney Jeremy Bailie in the Republican primary for Pinellas County’s House District 69. The new reports, covering Aug. 4 through Aug. 10, show Blacklidge tacked on $2,200 in hard money and another $10,000 for […]

Jacob OglesAugust 18, 2018

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson will knock on doors in West Tampa with state House Democratic Leader and state Senate candidate Janet Cruz. Officials with Nelson’s campaign say he will greet volunteers and supporters and talk about the importance of this year’s election. Vecinos de Nelson, the campaign’s grassroots team of supporters and volunteers, will join […]

Jacob OglesAugust 18, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday appointed attorney Dana Moss to an open judgeship in the Sarasota County Court today. Moss, a 47-year-old former police officer, has been the felony division chief for the Public Defender’s Office in the 12th Judicial Circuit, working for Public Defender Larry Eger. She earned her law degree from Florida Coastal […]

Ryan NicolAugust 17, 2018

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Vern Buchanan held onto a sizable money lead in the race for Florida’s 16th Congressional District despite being outraised by David Shapiro in the most recent fundraising period. Buchanan reported more than $2.1 million cash on hand after raising $90,000 from July 1 through Aug. 8, according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). That $2.1 […]

Tampa Bay
Photo of Bob Graham at a Rick Scott State of the State address in 2013. Photo via the Florida Times-Union.

Hillsborough school board to discuss sales tax referendum

Florida Medical Association recommends Dianne Hart for HD 61

Rich Glorioso endorses Aakash Patel for Hillsborough County Commission

Janet Cruz rescinds endorsement of Susan Valdes in HD 62 primary

Bob Buckhorn endorses Mike Alvarez in HD 62 Democratic primary

Berny Jacques adds $50K, Nick DiCeglie loans $40K in HD 66 Republican primary

Ray Blacklidge reels in $12K as HD 69 Republican primary looms

Bill Nelson, Janet Cruz to campaign today in West Tampa

Dana Moss appointed to county judge post in Sarasota County

Vern Buchanan holds onto money lead in CD 16 race