Tampa Bay

Mitch PerryDecember 27, 2017

While most of the country considered 2017 an electoral “off-year,” that wasn’t the case in the Tampa Bay region, thanks to the St. Petersburg municipal elections. Here’s this reporter’s list of the top ten political news stories of the year: 10. — Bob Buckhorn decides not to run for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. For years, the […]

Peter SchorschDecember 26, 2017

Tampa residents really like Bob Buckhorn. A new citywide poll is showing three-quarters of Tampa voters approve of the mayor’s job performance — and more than half will support a mayor like Buckhorn, one who will continue his policies. They also favor Tampa developing a citywide rail system to ease traffic congestion, paid for by taxpayers. […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 26, 2017

‘Tis the season for giving, and the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office is in spirit. Headed by Mike Fasano, the entity raised over $8,000 for Pinellas-Pasco charity Nourish to Flourish. Founded by area public defender Bob Dillinger and wife Kay Dillinger in honor of their late daughter Beth Dillinger, the charity aims to provide food for […]

Phil AmmannDecember 22, 2017

Thanks, but no thanks. Citing unfinished business in the Florida House, state Rep. James Grant is dismissing any talk of running for the Senate seat vacated this week by Jack Latvala, who stepped down after facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment. Grant was responding to a tweet from Peter Schorsch, who was, in turn, answering […]

Peter SchorschDecember 22, 2017

Amid speculation that state Rep. Sean Shaw could run for Attorney General in 2018, another Democrat has opened a campaign account to run in Shaw’s House district. Byron Keith Henry opened an account Thursday to run next year in Hillsborough County’s House District 61, according to the state Division of Elections website. In October, Florida […]

Drew WilsonDecember 20, 2017

Zephyrhills Republican Rep. Danny Burgess is primed for re-election in 2018, though it looks like he won’t skate by unopposed next year. No-party candidate John Hayes filed for the Pasco County seat late last month and has since filed a waiver in lieu of a campaign finance report for the days his campaign account was […]

Drew WilsonDecember 20, 2017

Republican Josie Tomkow announced Wednesday she qualified via petition for the special election to replace former Rep. Neil Combee in House District 39. “We have been going door-to-door for weeks, meeting with voters throughout HD 39 and I am humbled by the outpouring of support. This is going to be a grassroots campaign — we […]

Drew WilsonDecember 20, 2017

It’s a six-way race for four open seats on the Belleair Beach City Council. Belleair Beach elects council members at large, so the six candidates are all competing in the same race, with the top four vote-getters on March 13 set to take a seat on the six-member council. The city will get at least […]

Phil AmmannDecember 19, 2017

Republican businessman Lawrence McClure easily won the special election in Northwest Hillsborough’s House District 58. With 55 percent of the vote, the 30-year-old McClure will replace Plant City Republican Dan Raulerson, who resigned the seat in August citing health and business reasons. McClure, a partner with the firm Streamline Environmental, Inc., offered a conservative platform, including […]

Peter SchorschDecember 18, 2017

The qualifying period for those looking to run for the Clearwater City Council has closed and four candidates have made the cut for a pair of seats up for grabs in the March 13 municipal elections. Seat 4, currently held by termed-out council member Bill Johnson, will be filled by David Allbritton or Tom Keller, while […]

Tampa Bay
Family members appear behind a pile of debris outside their home in Steinhatchee, Fla., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helene slammed Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 storm Thursday night. (Ashleigh Lucas/WUFT News)

Mitch Perry’s review of top Tampa Bay stories of 2017

New survey shows Tampa voters really like Bob Buckhorn, police

Mike Fasano and staff chip in big for hungry children

James Grant says ‘thanks, but no thanks’ on Jack Latvala’s Senate seat

Democrat files to run for Sean Shaw’s House seat

Danny Burgess draws challenger in HD 38 re-election bid

Josie Tomkow qualifies for HD 39 by petition

Six candidates qualify for Belleair Beach City Council race

Lawrence McClure wins HD 58 special election

Four candidates qualify for pair of Clearwater City Council seats