Tampa Bay

Drew WilsonApril 10, 2018

It’s official: House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz will challenge Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young in Senate District 18. The Tampa native announced her bid Tuesday. She joins, for now at least, Tampa attorney Bob Buesing in the Democratic Primary. “I’m running because Tampa Bay families deserve a leader who will fight for them in Tallahassee — not sell them […]

Drew WilsonApril 10, 2018

Aakash-Patel-Hillsborough-County-Commission-candidate-District-1.jpg

Hillsborough County Commission candidate Aakash Patel announced Monday that he’d picked up an endorsement from Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. The pair got to know each other when Patel, 33, served as VP of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce and worked with Bilirakis on outreach initiatives. “I am pleased to offer my support and endorsement […]

Drew WilsonApril 9, 2018

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s re-election campaign announced a new TV ad Monday that will be hitting airwaves within the Sarasota Republican’s district. The campaign said it placed an ad buy in excess of $200,000 to air the commercial, entitled “Independent Leader Fighting for You,” on local TV stations. The ad is Buchanan’s second of the […]

Peter SchorschApril 9, 2018

It’s your move, House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz. She’s term-limited in the House this year, and is – for now – set to run for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. But there’s word she will drop her bid for county commission and run for state Senate District 18. That would mean, assuming she clears […]

Drew WilsonApril 9, 2018

St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes made a statement with his March fundraising report, which comes one week after Democratic trial lawyer Carrie Pilon filed to run against him in Senate District 24. Brandes’ report saw the longtime lawmaker plunk down $300,000 of his own money just days after Pilon’s candidacy was leaked by the […]

Peter SchorschApril 8, 2018

Republican Christian Ziegler this week announced he was endorsed by Gov. Rick Scott in his campaign for the District 2 seat on the Sarasota County Commission. “I’m proud to endorse Christian Ziegler for the Sarasota County Commission. Christian is a friend, a life-long principled conservative, tireless advocate for Sarasota County and he is committed to […]

Peter SchorschApril 7, 2018

Waterfront communities across the state are reeling from a new law that makes it harder for the public to access Florida’s most popular attractions — its beaches. But some legal experts believe it is not as bad as it first appears. Signed last month by Gov. Rick Scott, HB 631 “blocks local governments from adopting […]

Drew WilsonApril 7, 2018

Javier Centonzio announced Friday he is dropping out of the race for House District 69 and endorsing fellow Democrat Jennifer Webb for the open seat. The St. Petersburg attorney filed for HD 69 in the beginning of the year and after his first campaign finance report it seemed a contentious Democratic Primary could be on […]

Danny McAuliffeApril 6, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Alissa McKee Ellison to the Hillsborough County Court on Friday. Ellison, a shareholder at GrayRobinson law firm, will replace former Hillsborough Judge Michael S. Williams, who was selected by Scott last year to serve on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court. Ellison, 37, of Tampa, received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University […]

Drew WilsonApril 6, 2018

Hillsborough County Commission candidate Aakash Patel is holding a fundraiser in St. Petersburg on April 17. The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Parks & Rec, 100 4th St. South. Those looking to attend can RSVP by visiting the events page on Patel’s campaign website. The invite lists 10 names […]

Tampa Bay

Janet Cruz makes it official: She’s running for Florida Senate

Gus Bilirakis endorses Aakash Patel for Hillsborough Commission

Vern Buchanan announces TV ad buy for CD 16 re-election

Not Just A Body Of Water — A newsletter about Tampa Bay politics — 4.9.18

Jeff Brandes bolsters re-election bid with $300K of own money

Rick Scott endorses Christian Ziegler for Sarasota County Commission

Controversial beach access law not as dire as it seems, legal expert says

Field clears for Jennifer Webb in HD 69 Dem. primary

Alissa McKee Ellison appointed to Hillsborough bench

Aakash Patel announces St. Pete fundraiser