Tampa Bay

Drew WilsonAugust 27, 2018

State Rep. Kathleen Peters is running ahead of the pack in the three-way Republican primary for the District 6 seat on the Pinellas County Commission, but a new set of mailers have been sent out looking to derail her bid ahead of Tuesday’s election. The first mailer paints Peters as an “Anti-Trump career politician” who […]

Staff ReportsAugust 27, 2018

A Tampa man at the center of whistleblower case says he should get a bigger paycheck than what’s coming, and now he’s suing his high-profile attorney. Brian Vinca worked at Advanced BioHealing when he learned the company was paying illegal kickbacks to medical providers who used the skin substitute Dermagraft. He brought those concerns to […]

Ryan NicolAugust 27, 2018

Ex-lobbyist and public defender Karen Skyers has added another endorsement to her campaign to replace state Rep. Sean Shaw in House District 61. The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus announced its support of Skyers in the four-way Democratic primary to be held on Tuesday, Aug. 28. The move is no real surprise, as Skyers received the […]

Drew WilsonAugust 26, 2018

A new poll of the Republican primary battle for Florida’s 15th Congressional District shows former state Rep. Neil Combee with a 3-point lead over top rival, Dover state Rep. Ross Spano, a few days out from primary Election Day. The St. Pete Polls survey, conducted Aug. 24, shows Combee with 32 percent support among likely […]

Jacob OglesAugust 26, 2018

After incurring hundreds in fines for poor campaign finance filings, state House candidate Vito Sheeley had a check returned because it hadn’t been filled out correctly. In a letter to Sheeley’s campaign, state Bureau of Election Records Chief Kristi Reid Willis pointed out inconsistencies — the dollar amount on the fine check and the words […]

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 […]

Tampa Bay

Direct mail round-up: Mysterious mailers from David Rivera’s PAC hammer Kathleen Peters

Tampa whistleblower says Barry Cohen cost him a bigger payday

Karen Skyers gets Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus nod for HD 61

Poll: Neil Combee holds slim lead in CD 15 Republican primary

Vito Sheeley’s bad campaign fine check is returned

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