Tampa Bay

Drew WilsonJune 7, 2018

The mayors of Pinellas County’s beach communities want to find a way to reclaim their power to restrict short-term rentals in their towns. The first step will be to organize a roundtable discussion involving state legislators and others involved in the short-term rental business. The mayors who make up the Big-C, the Barrier Islands Government […]

Drew WilsonJune 7, 2018

The Pinellas County Commission put out the call that it was looking to ink a new lobbying contract a couple months ago, and three teams have made the short list according to documents received as part of a public records request. Those top-tier proposals came from some familiar firms, with Dean Mead taking the top […]

Danny McAuliffeJune 7, 2018

If elections were decided by football fans, then supporters of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be targeted heavily by Republicans and could be one of just a few team bases to elect someone other than a Democrat. According to a survey distributed by FiveThirtyEight, a data-focused site headed by Nate Silver specializing in content on […]

Bill RuftyJune 6, 2018

The second television ad for Baxter Troutman, Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, began running statewide Wednesday. The ad for the Winter Haven businessman and grower is part of a $1.6 million television and digital ad package the campaign announced two weeks ago. The first television ad featured Becky Troutman, the candidate’s wife, talking about her […]

Drew WilsonJune 5, 2018

Treasure Island Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters leads the money race for the District 6 seat on the Pinellas County Commission by a mile, and she aims to keep it that way. To that end, Peters is holding a fundraiser Thursday evening at St. Petersburg’s Beach Seafood & Tap House. Topping the host committee for the […]

Staff ReportsJune 5, 2018

The wait is almost over. We’re finalizing our sixth annual ranking of Tampa Bay’s most powerful politicians. It will be published next Monday. As has been the case in years prior, the results are rooted in the opinions of leading political consultants, activists, bloggers, operatives and local lobbyists around the Bay area who reached out […]

Drew WilsonJune 5, 2018

Former Republican Sen. John Legg on Tuesday became the first candidate to file for the 2022 election. Legg was first elected to the Florida House in 2004, serving there eight years. He was elected to the Florida Senate in 2012, but court ordered redistricting forced him make a difficult decision in 2016: Run for re-election […]

Drew WilsonJune 5, 2018

Republican Melissa Howard has scheduled a June 13 fundraiser for her campaign to succeed state Rep. Joe Gruters in House District 73. The reception will be held at Medallion Homes, 1651 Whitfield Ave., in Sarasota from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Supporters can RSVP by emailing [email protected] or calling 941-587-8166. Making the host committee for […]

Jim RosicaJune 4, 2018

A Tampa orchid nursery seeking to break into the medical marijuana market is challenging the Department of Health‘s plan to give a preference in how it awards new licenses to grow the plant. Louis Del Favero Orchids filed a challenge Friday to a proposed rule from the department’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use, which regulates […]

Drew WilsonJune 4, 2018

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

Republican Aakash Patel raised more than $30,000 last month for his bid to succeed Sandra Murman in the District 1 seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. May brought $19,386 in new money to Patel’s campaign account and another $11,000 to his political committee, Elevate Tampa. He has now raised more than $450,000 since filing for […]

Tampa Bay
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

‘Leave us the heck alone’: Beach towns seek meeting with state lawmakers on short-term rentals

Dean Mead tops Pinellas County’s lobbying shortlist

It’s a Bucs life? Tampa Bay football is a Republican stronghold

Baxter Troutman releases second statewide ad

Kathleen Peters raising money for Pinellas Commission bid Thursday

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 6.5.18

John Legg first candidate to file for 2022 cycle

Melissa Howard holding HD 73 fundraiser June 13

‘Flower’ fight: Citrus preference sparks medical marijuana rule challenge

Aakash Patel crosses $450K in total fundraising