Tampa Bay

Drew WilsonMay 17, 2018

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri wants Tampa Republican Rep. James Grant to stick around for another term. The Republican sheriff announced Wednesday that he was backing Grant in his primary race against Terry Power, an Oldsmar retirement plan consultant. “James Grant is a principled leader and dedicated advocate for law enforcement and first responders in Florida. […]

Drew WilsonMay 17, 2018

Former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor is getting her campaign to take over as Tampa Mayor rolling tonight with a with a fundraising reception at The Columbia. The event is set to run from 5:30 pm to 7 pm at the restaurant on 2117 E. 7th Ave, and the host committee alone shows it will […]

Drew WilsonMay 16, 2018

The state’s largest teacher union announced Wednesday that it is backing House Minority Leader Janet Cruz in her bid to unseat Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young in Senate District 18. “Rep. Janet Cruz has been a tireless champion for our educators, students, and parents,” said Florida Education Association President Joanne McCall. “While Republicans, including Senator […]

Drew WilsonMay 16, 2018

Auburndale Republican Neil Combee announced another half-dozen endorsements for his campaign to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross in Florida’s 15th Congressional District, all of them from Polk County. The nods came from former lawmaker J.D. Alexander, who served in the Florida House and Senate from 1998 to 2012, former State Attorney Jerry Hill, former […]

Drew WilsonMay 16, 2018

Surterra Wellness’ newest medical marijuana treatment center will open for business in Largo Thursday morning. The new venue, located at 10761 Ulmerton Rd., is the company’s third in the Tampa Bay region and eighth in the Sunshine State. Other locations include Miami Beach, Orlando, Deltona, Pensacola and Tallahassee, with a Jacksonville location on the horizon. […]

Peter SchorschMay 15, 2018

On the surface, Democratic attorney Carrie Pilon seems to be gaining traction in her Senate District 24 bid, challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes. In reality, most of Pilon’s support is coming from one specific constituency — trial lawyers. For its first reported month, Pilon’s campaign bragged about raising $104,433 between the campaign account and an […]

Bill RuftyMay 15, 2018

Former Circuit Judge Robert Doyel, a Winter Haven Democrat and candidate for Senate District 22, is receiving what no other Polk County Democrat has received in more than two decades: support from his state party. No Democrat from Polk County — the historic home of three Democratic governors and four U.S. Senators along with one […]

Drew WilsonMay 15, 2018

Democrat Bernie Fensterwald announced Tuesday that he’s ending his campaign for Senate District 16. “After consulting friends, family and supporters, I’ve decided to withdraw from the Senate district 16 race. I want to thank everyone who’s supported my campaign and I wish all Democrats success in the November elections,” he wrote in a post on […]

Drew WilsonMay 15, 2018

Hillsborough Commission candidate Elvis Piggott is being sued for in county court for allegedly saying he could land the headliner for a Tampa gospel concert and failing to deliver. The lawsuit stems from a concert planned for March that ended up being scrubbed due to gospel singer Vickie Winans backing out of the gig. In […]

Staff ReportsMay 14, 2018

Clearwater Vice Mayor Doreen Caudell is dropping out of the race for the countywide District 2 seat on the Pinellas County Commission. Caudell, a Republican, told the Tampa Bay Times Monday that she will serve out the remainder of her term on the Clearwater City Council, which runs through 2020. “I feel compelled to dedicate […]

Tampa Bay
Supporters celebrate the opening of a wheel-chair accessible playground at Anastasia State Park. Image via Florida State Parks Foundation.

Big get: Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri backs Jamie Grant’s re-election to Florida House

Jane Castor kicking off mayoral campaign at The Columbia

Teacher union touts Janet Cruz as ‘tireless champion’

Neil Combee heralds second wave of Polk endorsements

Surterra Wellness setting up shop in Largo

It’s abundantly clear who is supporting Carrie Pilon’s SD 24 bid

Polk Democrat Robert Doyel gets the unthinkable: party support

Bernie goes bust, clears way for Amanda Murphy in SD 16 Dem. primary

Lawsuit claims Hillsborough Commission candidate caused gospel concert cancellation

Doreen Caudell ends Pinellas Commission campaign