Tampa Bay

Mitch PerryFebruary 5, 2018

Reflecting on his 2010-2011 bid for Tampa mayor, Ed Turanchik said that in that campaign Bob Buckhorn schooled him on messaging — and he learned his lesson. Perhaps that explains Turanchik’s emphasis on branding his candidacy as a “vision” to lead Tampa in 2019 and beyond — reflected both on his campaign website and in encounters Friday with […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 2, 2018

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley will campaign in Sarasota next week in support of House District 72 Democratic candidate Margaret Good. O’Malley ran for the Democratic presidential nomination two years ago, dropping out of the race after a disappointing finish in the Iowa caucuses. He is among several dozen Democrats considering a 2020 White House run […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 2, 2018

Two Democratic lawmakers are calling for “meaningful dialogue” before moving on legislation to consolidate the University of South Florida campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee with the main Tampa campus. State Sen. Darryl Rouson and Rep. Ben Diamond, who represent St. Petersburg in the Legislature, sent a joint letter Friday to USF Board of Trustees President Brian Lamb. It is just […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 2, 2018

Plans for a new veterans memorial near Clearwater were revealed Friday, but potential visitors will need an oxygen tank to get there. Called “Circle of Heroes,” the memorial aims to be the nation’s first underwater dive memorial and will be situated roughly 10 miles off the Pinellas County shore. The site will be about 40-feet […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 2, 2018

The campaigns for House District 72 candidates James Buchanan and Margaret Good got feisty Friday, each pushing out an email attacking the other ahead of the fast approaching special election for the Sarasota-based seat. First up was Good’s, which derided Buchanan as for relying on out-of-district money to fund his campaign. “While James Buchanan continues […]

Jeff RosenfieldFebruary 2, 2018

Six candidates vying for three open Safety Harbor City Commission seats March 13, had the opportunity to present their views on to the public Thursday night during a candidate forum at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. The large field led to a change of venue as well as a tweak to the traditional question […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2018

Westchase-based Democrat Heather Stahl says she entered the House District 64 race earlier this month because she’s grown weary of the dysfunction present every day in Tallahassee and Washington D.C. “I think a lot of people are feeling that the country and the state is not going in the direction that it needs to be,” […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2018

On Thursday, Tampa City Councilmembers kept hope alive for transit activists who want Bayshore Blvd. shut down occasionally on Sundays for bicyclists, walker, runners, rollerbladers and others to use without fear of getting hit by a vehicle. Members of “Walk Bike Tampa” appeared before the Council to advocate for a plan to redirect vehicular traffic […]

Jeff RosenfieldFebruary 1, 2018

Six candidates vying for three open Safety Harbor City Commission seats Tuesday, March 13, will have the chance to interact with voters for the first time as a group. Thursday night, the Safety Harbor Candidate Forum is set for 6:30 p.m. in the Baranoff Ballroom at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. Here’s a breakdown […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2018

Ken Hagan has built a formidable war chest as he attempts to parlay name recognition and extensive local government experience into staying on the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners for another term this year. Challenger Angela Birdsong, however, is not deterred. “He has amassed a lot of power and money and friends, but I think that things […]

Tampa Bay

Ed Turanchik tees up next Tampa mayoral bid

Martin O’Malley to stump for Margaret Good in Sarasota

Darryl Rouson, Ben Diamond worry of ‘unintended consequences’ in USF consolidation

First underwater veterans memorial coming to Pinellas County waters

Email insights: James Buchanan and Margaret Good trade barbs

Safety Harbor candidate forum takes on the issues

Democrat Heather Stahl wants to replace Jamie Grant in Florida’s HD 64 seat

Tampa City Council revives plan to close Bayshore Blvd on occasional Sundays

Safety Harbor election hopefuls ready for candidate forum

Angela Birdsong not intimidated by Ken Hagan’s fundraising