Tampa Bay

Mitch PerryJanuary 15, 2018

When Dunedin-based Democrat Bernie Fensterwald III entered the local political scene two years ago, there was significant attention paid to his personal finances after documents showed he was worth $19.8 million. Criticism ultimately followed after he lost his challenge to Republican Chris Sprowls in the House District 65 seat, spending just $35,000 in the race, […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 15, 2018

Republican Ardian Zika added another $10,205 to his campaign account last month, putting him further ahead of the competition in the three-way primary race to replace House Speaker Richard Corcoran in House District 37. Zika’s haul came in across 45 contributions, more than half of which were small dollar donations of $50 or less. He […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2018

The Tampa Bay area will have three Senate seats and 14 House seats on the 2018 ballot; while most of the Pinellas and Hillsborough delegations will be the same when the 2019 Legislative Session rolls around, a few races are starting to heat up. First, the sure things. Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young is still […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2018

Rick Baker is leaving The Edwards Group. The former two-term mayor of St. Petersburg is resigning his job as president of the company owned by entrepreneur Bill Edwards. Baker has worked at Edwards Group since 2012, joining after serving two terms in City Hall. The resignation is effective Jan. 31. In a text message obtained […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2018

As the Florida House was approving a proposal championed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran to ban so-called sanctuary cities, Bob Buckhorn was ridiculing the notion in front of an audience approximately 300 miles to the south. At the St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater Friday, Tampa’s mayor argued that there are no such entities in the state of […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2018

For years (or even decades), Florida environmentalists have faulted investor-owned utilities for a reluctance to embrace solar power in the Sunshine State. But that’s beginning to change, with no utility doing more on that front than Tampa Electric Company. Soon after Canadian energy firm Emera purchased TECO last year for $10.4 billion, the Tampa-based utility […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

The Tampa City Council voted 6-0 on Thursday to approve an ordinance aimed at curbing human trafficking by cracking down on illicit massage parlors. The measure is a revision to an 1980s-era bathhouse ordinance, adapted to close the loopholes that allow such massage parlors in Tampa to operate. It comes after months of advocacy by the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

One of the most competitive Republican primaries in Tampa Bay is the race for the House District 66 seat being vacated by Seminole Republican Larry Ahern. Pinellas GOP Chairman Nick DiCeglie is taking on St. Petersburg attorney Berny Jacques. Jacques entered the race early last year, and has raised a total of $133,000 for his bid – […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

St. Petersburg House District 70 Democrat Wengay Newton now has two opponents going after him as he attempts to win reelection this summer, but at least at this early junction, he’s not being challenged seriously when it comes to fundraising. Newton raised $1,000 in December, and has now raised $17,370 overall for the seat with […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

Siesta Key Democrat Margaret Good raised nearly twice as much campaign money than Republican James Buchanan in December in the special election for House District 72. Good raised $106,830 in December, Buchanan $55,000. Libertarian Alison Foxall raised $3,480 last month. The special election will take place on Feb. 13 to replace Republican Alex Miller, who stepped […]

Tampa Bay

Bernie Fensterwald: Democrat wants to be true ‘citizen legislator’

Ardian Zika extends fundraising lead in HD 37 primary race

Here’s where Tampa Bay legislative races stand heading into the 2018 Legislative Session

Rick Baker resigning as president of The Edwards Group

Tampa Bay mayors come out swinging against GOP-led Legislature at Tiger Bay

Bury ’em: Utility chief favors underground power lines

Tampa City Council approves crackdown on massage parlors

Nick DiCeglie’s fundraising outpaces Berny Jacques’ in HD 66 primary

Wengay Newton continues to increase fundraising advantage in HD 70 race

Democrat Margaret Good fundraising coming on strong as HD 72 special election heats up