Tampa Bay

Kate BradshawJune 11, 2018

If anyone is the antithesis to the notion that Republicanism’s days are numbered, it’s state Rep. Chris Latvala. First elected to his north-central Pinellas district (House District 67) in 2014, he was just 32 when he took office. Since then, he’s brought a fresh perspective to the Legislature and hasn’t been afraid to take positions that […]

Drew WilsonJune 11, 2018

Sarasota Republican Ray Pilon is holding an event for his House District 72 comeback bid Tuesday night, but it isn’t fundraiser per se. “June 12th is right around the corner and I firmly believe celebrations are better with friends. Please join us as we mingle and discuss our steps for taking District 72 back,” Pilon […]

Drew WilsonJune 11, 2018

Auburndale Republican Neil Combee has added another Polk County backer in his campaign to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross in Florida’s 15th Congressional District. Former Polk County Sheriff Lawrence Crow on Monday joined a dozen other current and former Polk County officials in endorsing Combee, a former state representative and Polk County commissioner. “I’ve […]

Kate BradshawJune 11, 2018

For a long time, being a Democrat on the Hillsborough County Commission meant constantly voting in the minority while the board’s center-right and conservative wings debated policy. When Commissioner Les Miller was elected in 2010, he and Kevin Beckner, the other Democrat on the board then, while passionate advocates for their causes at the dais, rarely got […]

Kate BradshawJune 11, 2018

Everybody likes state Rep. Ben Diamond. At least, that’s what people close to the freshman Democrat from St. Petersburg say. Elected to represent House District 68, Diamond took over for then-state Rep. Dwight Dudley, who left office to run for a judgeship. While he’s popular in his district, especially with Democrats, getting bills passed has been […]

Phil AmmannJune 11, 2018

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

Republican Aakash Patel has weighed his options for 2018 after incumbent Hillsborough County Commission Chair Sandy Murman decided to let a deadline pass without filing papers to resign from her District 1 seat. Patel’s decision? Run for the open District 7 seat in 2018 For just over a year, Patel has been running for District 1, filing […]

Staff ReportsJune 10, 2018

Hillsborough County School Board member Susan Valdes is laying the groundwork to run for the House District 62 seat. Patrick Manteiga of La Gaceta is reporting that Valdes resigned her seat Friday, to take effect November 6, the day of the general election. “It’s our understanding that her school board seat will be open for qualifying with […]

Drew WilsonJune 9, 2018

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro will be the guest of honor at a New Leaders Council fundraiser former CFO Alex Sink is hosting Saturday afternoon. “I am so thrilled to host former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro at my home on June 9! New Leaders Council is an organization […]

Bill RuftyJune 7, 2018

EMILY’s List, the progressive organization that supports women candidates for office, has recommended Kristen Carlson, Lakeland attorney and 11th-hour entrant into the Democratic primary, for Florida’s 15th Congressional District. The endorsement put two organizations that support Democratic candidates at odds with one another. At least one Democratic candidate, Greg Pilkington of Indian Lake Estates, withdrew […]

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 […]

Tampa Bay

#24 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Chris Latvala

Ray Pilon hosting ‘evening out with friends’ Tuesday

Former Polk County sheriff backs Neil Combee for CD 15

#25 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Les Miller (tie)

#25 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Ben Diamond (tie)

Aakash Patel now running for countywide seat on Hillsborough Commission

Hillsborough School Board member Susan Valdes considers run for HD 62

2020 watch: Julián Castro headlining fundraiser today at Alex Sink’s home

CD 15 primary support puts Democratic groups at odds

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