Tampa Bay

Phil AmmannMarch 14, 2018

David Jolly will remain a spectator, albeit an active one, in 2018. The former U.S. Representative is not looking to return to elective politics this year, referring to a tight Pennsylvania 18th Congressional District special election Tuesday night in a district Donald Trump won by more than 20 points in 2016. Making the announcement on […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

Madeira Beach voters re-elected Commissioner Nancy Hodges and may have kicked out Commissioner Terry Lister in Tuesday’s municipal election. With all the votes counted, longtime City Commission member Lister was four votes behind opponent Deby Weinstein in the race for the District 1 seat on the commission. Voters cast 1,194 votes in the race and […]

Phil AmmannMarch 13, 2018

Voters in a dozen Pinellas County municipalities decided races Tuesday night. Among the municipalities holding elections were Belleair, Belleair Beach, Clearwater, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Kenneth City, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park, Redington Beach, Safety Harbor, South Pasadena and Treasure Island. A roundup of some of the unofficial results from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections: […]

Phil AmmannMarch 13, 2018

Longtime Belleair Mayor Gary Katica has easily defeated his relatively unknown challenger, Spencer Connerat, Tuesday evening. Katica, 84, has served as mayor of the small Pinellas County community for a dozen years, any took a decisive 83 percent of the vote, according to the county supervisor of elections unofficial results. The mayor had refused to […]

Phil AmmannMarch 13, 2018

An incumbent and a newcomer are winners in two Clearwater City Council races Tuesday evening. Hoyt Hamilton will return to Seat 5, taking 79 percent of the vote, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections unofficial results. He defeated real-estate broker John Funk. This will be Hamilton’s third stint on the Council, having previously […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

February fundraising reports show the four sitting Hillsborough County Commissioners who’ll be on the ballot in 2018 are far ahead in fundraising for their respective races. Commissioner Ken Hagan’s campaign account is the most flush of all, with more $458,000 in the bank, including $3,750 raised last month. Hagan, a Republican, currently holds the countywide […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

February campaign finance reports show Pat Gerard and state Rep. Kathleen Peters are firmly in the lead in the races for the District 2 and District 6 seats on the Pinellas County Commission. Gerard, a Democrat and the incumbent District 2 commissioner, raised $4,650 last month, putting her campaign a couple hundred dollars shy of […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

House District 37 frontrunner Ardian Zika picked up an endorsement Tuesday from St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes. “Ardian Zika is a conservative Republican who knows what it takes to build a business, make payroll and grow our economy,” Brandes said in a press release. “Ardian’s story – how he left a civil war-torn country […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2018

Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a complaint against the non-profit charged “with renovating and operating The Ritz Theatre in downtown Winter Haven,” her office said in a press release Tuesday. The Ritz Theatre 100, Inc. was named as defendant, as was Stella C. Heath, its executive director. “The complaint alleges that misconduct and mismanagement by the […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

Republican Jeremy Bailie picked up an endorsement for his House District 69 campaign from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri on Monday. “I’m pleased to offer my support for Jeremy Bailie in his campaign for the Florida State House of Representatives, District 69,” Gualtieri said. “I’ve seen the dedication that he has to protect our community, […]

Tampa Bay
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Politics is about timing: David Jolly won’t run for elected office in 2018

Nancy Hodges cruises, Terry Lister maybe loses in Madeira Beach election

Voters decide several Pinellas County municipal seats

Belleair Mayor Gary Katica wins re-election in blowout

Hoyt Hamilton, David Allbritton win Clearwater City Council seats

Hillsborough Commissioners hold big leads in re-election battles

Kathleen Peters, Pat Gerard maintain leads in Pinellas Commission races

Jeff Brandes backs Ardian Zika for state House

Pam Bondi to fight for Winter Haven’s Ritz Theatre

Bob Gualtieri endorses Jeremy Bailie for HD 69