Tampa Bay

Phil AmmannMarch 13, 2018

An incumbent and a newcomer are winners in two Clearwater City Council races Tuesday evening. Hoyt Hamilton will return to Seat 5, taking 79 percent of the vote, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections unofficial results. He defeated real-estate broker John Funk. This will be Hamilton’s third stint on the Council, having previously […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

February fundraising reports show the four sitting Hillsborough County Commissioners who’ll be on the ballot in 2018 are far ahead in fundraising for their respective races. Commissioner Ken Hagan’s campaign account is the most flush of all, with more $458,000 in the bank, including $3,750 raised last month. Hagan, a Republican, currently holds the countywide […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

February campaign finance reports show Pat Gerard and state Rep. Kathleen Peters are firmly in the lead in the races for the District 2 and District 6 seats on the Pinellas County Commission. Gerard, a Democrat and the incumbent District 2 commissioner, raised $4,650 last month, putting her campaign a couple hundred dollars shy of […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

House District 37 frontrunner Ardian Zika picked up an endorsement Tuesday from St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes. “Ardian Zika is a conservative Republican who knows what it takes to build a business, make payroll and grow our economy,” Brandes said in a press release. “Ardian’s story – how he left a civil war-torn country […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2018

Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a complaint against the non-profit charged “with renovating and operating The Ritz Theatre in downtown Winter Haven,” her office said in a press release Tuesday. The Ritz Theatre 100, Inc. was named as defendant, as was Stella C. Heath, its executive director. “The complaint alleges that misconduct and mismanagement by the […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

Republican Jeremy Bailie picked up an endorsement for his House District 69 campaign from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri on Monday. “I’m pleased to offer my support for Jeremy Bailie in his campaign for the Florida State House of Representatives, District 69,” Gualtieri said. “I’ve seen the dedication that he has to protect our community, […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

Republican Nick DiCeglie was the top fundraiser in the House District 66 field last month with $10,560 raised. The February report brings the Pinellas County businessman’s campaign total to $90,354, with $72,216 on hand. The new money came in across 29 contributions, including a half dozen for the primary campaign maximum of $1,000. Max donors […]

Drew WilsonMarch 12, 2018

The Fraternal Order of Police announced on Monday endorsed Republican Mike Moore for re-election to the Pasco County Commission. William Lawless, president of Pasco County FOP Lodge 29 Labor Unit, said it gave him “great pleasure” to endorse Moore, who is running for second term on the commission. “We are grateful for your support of […]

Staff ReportsMarch 12, 2018

Sen. Jeff Brandes promised criminal justice reforms, a sweeping transportation bill, banning fees on consumer report security freezes and “merlot-to-go,” but only half of those came true by the time the 2018 Legislative Session wrapped up. As the process moved toward the 60-day finish line, the Pinellas County Republican was optimistic about his bold proposals. […]

Ana CeballosMarch 12, 2018

The superintendent for Pinellas County public schools is slamming the proposed state budget that lawmakers are poised to pass Sunday because he says it will leave his school district with a nearly $3 million funding deficit. “It’s clear that the additional safe schools and mental health funding has come on the backs of teachers and […]

Tampa Bay
3d rendering of Human cell or Embryonic stem cell microscope background.

Hoyt Hamilton, David Allbritton win Clearwater City Council seats

Hillsborough Commissioners hold big leads in re-election battles

Kathleen Peters, Pat Gerard maintain leads in Pinellas Commission races

Jeff Brandes backs Ardian Zika for state House

Pam Bondi to fight for Winter Haven’s Ritz Theatre

Bob Gualtieri endorses Jeremy Bailie for HD 69

Nick DiCeglie adds $10K for HD 66 campaign in February

Pasco police back Mike Moore’s county commission bid

Jeff Brandes loses a couple of priorities, but brings home other wins

Pinellas schools superintendent slams proposed funding for public education