Tampa Bay

Drew WilsonMay 7, 2018

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

Tampa businessman Aakash Patel announced Monday that Lieutenant Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera has endorsed his campaign for Hillsborough County Commission District 1. “I had the opportunity to get to know Aakash Patel through his work with Leadership Tampa Bay and his service on their Board of Directors since 2014. Aakash has impressed me with his drive, […]

Peter SchorschMay 7, 2018

Former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor has brought in some serious coin since she announced her run for Tampa Mayor in mid-April. The 31-year TPD veteran has now brought in nearly $250,000 from more than 300 donors. “The numbers are humbling,” Castor said. “When I kicked off my campaign in April—only two weeks ago—I said […]

Drew WilsonMay 7, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper announced a fundraiser for his Senate campaign next week in Palm Harbor. The May 9 event will be held from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Catcher and the Rye, 917 11th St. More than two dozen names are listed on the host committee, including attorney Ed Armstrong, accountant Steve Bunch, […]

Drew WilsonMay 7, 2018

St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes released his first ad of the 2018 election cycle Monday, touting his military service and accomplishments during the eight years he’s been a member of the Florida Legislature. The ad, “Oath,” begins with Brandes in a park with his wife and children. “He took an oath to protect us […]

Drew WilsonMay 5, 2018

Former Republican state Rep. Neil Combee is kicking off his campaign for Florida’s 15th Congressional District with an event in Polk City next week. The May 12 fundraiser will run from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Sunny Acres Lodge, owned by the family of Josie Tomkow. Combee was an avid supporter of Tomkow during […]

Drew WilsonMay 5, 2018

Amanda Murphy is back. The Pasco Democrat on Friday told Florida Politics she is running for the state Senate. The former state Representative said she was “sick and tired” of what’s happening in Tallahassee and that she wants to be back there to “fight the good fight.” Look for her to file as soon as Monday. The […]

Bill RuftyMay 4, 2018

Accusing the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee of meddling in the 15th Congressional District Primary, Gregg Pilkington of Indian Lake Estates said he is discontinuing his race for the seat. “It would be against my principles to continue, knowing that this is a rigged (primary) election by the DCCC,” Pilkington said. He added that he wouldn’t […]

Phil AmmannMay 4, 2018

Democrat Becca Tieder says she will not challenge Clearwater Republican state Rep. Chris Latvala in House District 67. Tieder, a Clearwater native and third-generation Floridian, made the announcement on Twitter Thursday afternoon. “After careful and thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to run for #FLHD67,” she wrote. “While I would be honored to represent my […]

Bill RuftyMay 4, 2018

Undocumented aliens brought to the United States when they were children should not be deported, but given education and employment opportunities and a way to earn their citizenship, according to U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, a Lakeland Republican often criticized by opponents for his deep conservative stances. He made the pronouncement during questions Thursday at the Polk […]

Bill RuftyMay 2, 2018

A ‘blue wave’ Democrats in Polk and Osceola counties had hoped for Tuesday barely made a ripple as Republican newcomer Josie Tomkow won over Democrat Ricky Shirah with a 60 percent victory in the special election for Florida House District 39. The results contrasted with the surprise February election victory in Sarasota County in which […]

Tampa Bay

Aakash Patel’s latest big-name endorser? Carlos Lopez-Cantera

Jane Castor has already raised $250K for Tampa mayoral bid

Fundraiser for Ed Hooper this Wednesday in Palm Harbor

Jeff Brandes launches first TV ad of re-election campaign

Neil Combee launching CD 15 campaign May 12

She’s back: Amanda Murphy to square off against Ed Hooper for north Pinellas state Senate seat

Democrat Gregg Pilkington drops out of CD 15 race, blames ‘rigged primary’

Becca Teider declines to challenge Chris Latvala in HD 67

DREAMers should earn citizenship, Dennis Ross tells Polk Tiger Bay

In HD 39, the ‘blue wave’ barely causes a ripple