Tampa Bay

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2018

The two longest-serving members of the St. Petersburg City Council, Jim Kennedy and Karl Nurse, appeared on the dais for the last time Tuesday, giving the reins of power to newcomers Brandi Gabbard and Gina Driscoll, who are taking their spots for Districts 2 and 6, respectively. While a member of the St. Pete board can only […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2018

After they were sworn into office Tuesday morning, there were several allusions on the dais to the fact that with Brandi Gabbard‘s and Gina Driscoll‘s victories in their respective St. Petersburg City Council races last fall, the eight-member Council is now dominantly female. Gabbard easily defeated Barclay Harless in November for the northern St. Pete District 2 […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 2, 2018

A former federal prosecutor and FBI agent announced Tuesday he would run against Palm Harbor Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis in Florida’s 12th Congressional District. The congressional race marks the first political foray for Trinity Democrat Chris Hunter, who said he was inspired to enter the race due to concerns over President Donald Trump’s and Bilirakis’ […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2018

South Hillsborough County environmental activist Mariella Smith has officially filed to run as a Democrat in the Hillsborough Commission District 5 race. The announcement is no surprise, as the 63-year-old Ruskin resident announced in November that she was likely to file at the beginning of the year officially, in what will be her first bid […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2018

Calling St. Petersburg a city of “progress and progressivism,” Mayor Rick Kriseman spoke confidently about intentions for the next four years as he was sworn into office for his second inauguration. Speaking for just over ten minutes on a crisp afternoon in front of City Hall to an audience of more than 150 friends, family […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 2, 2018

The qualifying period opened Tuesday for three of the five seats on the Safety Harbor City Commission. Incumbents Scott Long, Cliff Merz and Andy Zodrow have each announced they will run for re-election. The incumbents and their potential opponents have until noon on Jan. 9 to qualify for the ballot. Safety Harbor commissioners are elected […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 2, 2018

Republican Terry Power picked up an endorsement from a family law reform group for his HD 64 primary challenge against incumbent Rep. Jamie Grant. The Florida Family Law Reform PAC said it was backing Power due to his involvement in advancing their agenda over the past six years. Among the PAC and Power’s proposals are […]

Drew WilsonDecember 29, 2017

House District 69 candidate Jennifer Webb announced in a Thursday email that she had earned endorsements from 20 local Democratic leaders in her campaign to take over for exiting Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters. “Today I’m proud to announce that I have received 20 endorsements from some of my favorite people representing our beautiful community,” she […]

Staff ReportsDecember 29, 2017

Kenneth City Mayor Wanda Dudley was automatically reelected when no one qualified to run against her in the March 2018 election by the conclusion of the qualifying period on Dec. 22, according to officials. Dudley, 60, a former city council member and longtime schoolteacher who was born in Pennsylvania but has resided in Kenneth City […]

Staff ReportsDecember 28, 2017

As 2017 winds down, 14 foster children in the Tampa Bay area are coming home for the holidays, adopted into 11 new families this week. WFTS reports the homecomings were part of the Eckerd Connects adoption and foster program. “It’s been the best Christmas ever,” new mother Rosa Diaz told reporter Sean Daly. On Wednesday, […]

Tampa Bay
Image via the Associated Press.

Karl Nurse, Jim Kennedy say goodbye to St. Pete City Council

Gina Driscoll, Brandi Gabbard become newest St. Pete City Council members

Second Democrat files against Gus Bilirakis in CD 12

‘Smart growth’ candidate Mariella Smith running for Hillsborough County Commission

Rick Kriseman vows to tackle infrastructure, transportation in second term

Qualifying period begins for three Safety Harbor commission seats

HD 64 challenger Terry Power adds endorsement from family law group

Jennifer Webb touts 20 local endorsements in HD 69 race

Kenneth City Mayor Wanda Dudley automatically reelected to second term

14 adopted kids get ‘best Christmas ever’ with new families