Tampa Bay

Peter SchorschMay 29, 2018

Two incumbent state Senators enter the summer with nine-point leads over their Democratic challengers, while two former state Representatives seeking an open seat in the Senate are essentially tied, fresh polling shows. Pinellas Republican Jeff Brandes leads Democratic trial lawyer Carrie Pilon 48-39, according to a survey conducted by St. Pete Polls, while a separate […]

Phil AmmannMay 24, 2018

Mark-Hanisee-executive-director-of-the-Hillsborough-County-Democratic-Party.jpg

Hillsborough Democratic Party Executive Director Mark Hanisee announced Thursday he is leaving his post to manage the David Straz for Tampa Mayor campaign. Hanisee, who will replace Susan Cleary, will start July 1. “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the campaign,” Straz said in a statement. “Mark Hanisee’s deep roots and love for Tampa will […]

Drew WilsonMay 23, 2018

Sarasota Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is rolling out another TV ad for his re-election campaign in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. The 30-second spot, “Fighting Chance,” highlights the sixth-term congressman’s record on the opioid epidemic. The campaign said it will begin airing online immediately and will hit TV next week as part of $200,000-plus ad […]

Drew WilsonMay 23, 2018

Ardian Zika has added another backer in his bid to replace term-limited House Speaker Richard Corcoran in House District 37. The Land O’ Lakes Republican announced Wednesday that John Grant, who represented Pasco and Hillsborough counties in the Florida Senate from 1986 to 2000, had endorsed him in the four-way Republican Primary for Pasco County-based seat. […]

Peter SchorschMay 23, 2018

Funeral services for longtime Pinellas County politician John Morroni have been scheduled for June 1. From 9:00 am to 10:15 am, a viewing will be held at the David C. Gross Funeral Home in St. Petersburg, 6366 Central Ave, followed by an 11:00 am funeral mass at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in St. Pete […]

Bill RuftyMay 23, 2018

Kristen Carlson of Lakeland entered the Democratic Primary for Florida’s 15th Congressional District just over two weeks ago and has reported campaign donations of more than $100,000 already. Her staff said most of it came in during the first 13 days. Carlson, a former General Counsel for the Florida Department of Citrus, current counsel for […]

Peter SchorschMay 23, 2018

Tampa City Councilman Harry Cohen will officially kick off his campaign for Tampa Mayor with a June 6 fundraising reception. The kickoff event will be held at the Tampa Museum of Art, 120 Gasparilla Plaza, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Supporters interested in attending can send an RSVP to [email protected]. Cohen filed for the […]

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

Democrat Heather Kenyon Stahl announced Tuesday that she is ending her campaign for House District 64, the Tampa-based seat held by Republican Rep. James Grant. In her announcement, posted on Facebook, Stahl thanked her supporters before citing a new job and her husband’s ongoing health problems as reasons for her exit. “Over the past month, […]

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

Sarasota Republican Sen. Greg Steube has earned the backing of veterans group With Honor in his bid to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney in Florida’s 17th Congressional District. With Honor’s mission is to “help elect principled next-generation veterans to office who will work in a cross-partisan way to create a more effective and less […]

Drew WilsonMay 21, 2018

State Rep. Ross Spano landed a big endorsement for his congressional campaign Monday: Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Today, I am proud to endorse my friend Ross Spano to be the next Congressman in Florida’s 15th District. Along with being a fighter for the people of Florida, Ross is a tried and true rock solid Conservative […]

Tampa Bay
Image via Rick Scott Senate office.

New polling: Jeff Brandes, Dana Young begin re-election campaigns with nine-point leads, while Amanda Murphy, Ed Hooper tied

David Straz taps Mark Hanisee to manage campaign for Tampa mayor

New ad highlights Vern Buchanan’s record on the opioid epidemic

Ardian Zika endorsed by former Pasco state Senator

Funeral services scheduled for John Morroni

Hitting the ground collecting in CD 15

Harry Cohen launching mayoral campaign June 6

Lone Democrat drops out of HD 64 race

Veterans group picks Greg Steube for CD 17

Ross Spano lands Pam Bondi’s support in CD 15 primary