Tampa Bay

Jacob OglesAugust 26, 2018

He doesn’t. Despite a glowing quote on a Ross Spano for Congress mailer, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd hasn’t backed anybody in the open House race in Florida’s 15th Congressional District. And he’s pissed anyone thinks he’s on Spano’s side. In audio released to Florida Politics, Judd makes clear he never endorsed a candidate in […]

Drew WilsonAugust 26, 2018

Belleair businessman and Pinellas GOP chair Nick DiCeglie anted up bigtime ahead of his head-to-head with Seminole attorney Berny Jacques in the Republican primary to succeed term-limited state Rep. Larry Ahern. DiCeglie pumped $55,000 in loans into his campaign account and added another $22,350 in true fundraising to bring his overall to-date money total to […]

Drew WilsonAugust 26, 2018

Madeira Beach attorney Ray Blacklidge raised another $13,800 between his campaign and committee over the past two weeks, building on his fundraising edge over Republican primary opponent Jeremy Bailie. Blacklidge and Bailie are running to replace exiting Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters in Pinellas County’s House District 69. Peters announced last year that she would not […]

Drew WilsonAugust 24, 2018

In the twilight hours of the Republican primary for Florida’s 15th Congressional District, former state Rep. Neil Combee has accused his chief rival in the five-way race of a serious crime: Buying votes. In a press release issued by Combee’s campaign Friday, the Auburndale Republican condemned the campaign of Dover state Rep. Ross Spano for […]

Joe HendersonAugust 24, 2018

Negative campaigning works, right? Obviously it does, but we don’t have to like it. That’s why Hillsborough GOP Chairman Jim Waurishuk sent a straightforward message to his party’s local candidates. The retired U.S. Air Force colonel wants, no, demands … oh, I’ll let him tell it. “IMMEDIATELY CEASE AND DESIST AND STOP NOW!!!” The capital letters […]

Drew WilsonAugust 24, 2018

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that it is in favor of the referendum to add a one-cent sales tax to fund transportation initiatives in Hillsborough County. The referendum, backed by “All for Transportation,” made the 2018 ballot last month through the citizen’s charter amendment process. It would bring in an estimated $280 million […]

Staff ReportsAugust 23, 2018

David Shapiro, a Democratic candidate for Florida’s 16th Congressional District, called for all hands on deck Thursday. Namely, he led a protest against Vern Buchanan‘s receipt of a foreign loan to help him buy a yacht. However, Shapiro also faced some criticism of his own from counter-protesters raising questions about Shapiro’s stock portfolio. A story […]

Drew WilsonAugust 23, 2018

Tampa Downtown Partnership, a non-profit group that administers a special services district aimed at bettering Tampa’s downtown, is throwing its support behind the transportation tax referendum that will go before Hillsborough County voters in November. The referendum, known as “All for Transportation,” would add a penny-per-dollar sales tax in Hillsborough to fund transportation initiatives. In […]

Joe HendersonAugust 23, 2018

Ronda Storms said she can take the mudslinging that is a part of running for public office. It’s just the way the game is played. But the Valrico Republican, who is running to succeed Ross Spano in HD 59, will not, not, not stand for the charge in a recent mailer that she voted for […]

Staff ReportsAugust 22, 2018

Incumbent state Rep. Jamie Grant has beaten Republican rival Terry Power in the battle for House District 64, ending one of the more acrimonious primary fights this election season. HD 64 covers a northwestern section of Hillsborough County and some of eastern Pinellas County. At 7:30 p.m., Grant was leading 67 percent-33 percent in Hillsborough (23 […]

Tampa Bay

Hear Sheriff Grady Judd set record straight about whether he backs Ross Spano

Nick DiCeglie takes fundraising lead ahead of HD 66 Republican primary

Ray Blacklidge maintains fundraising edge ahead of HD 69 Republican primary

Neil Combee accuses Ross Spano of buying votes in CD 15 primary

Hillsborough GOP chief tells candidates to ‘immediately cease and desist’ negative campaigning

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce endorses Hillsborough transit tax plan

David Shapiro anchors outside Vern Buchanan’s office, leads protest against yacht purchase

Tampa Downtown Partnership backs Hillsborough transit tax plan

Ronda Storms out to set the record straight

Jamie Grant defeats Terry Power in HD 64 GOP primary