Tampa Bay

Mitch PerryNovember 20, 2017

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Less than a week after declaring a run for Attorney General next year, Dover Republican Ross Spano has already selected the man he hopes will succeed him in Florida’s House District 59. It’s Joe Wicker, the Brandon businessman and Iraq War veteran who finished a close second to Spano for the seat in the 2012 GOP […]

Guest AuthorNovember 20, 2017

Multiple reports have surfaced showing the Tampa Bay Rowdies will be shut out in this round of MLS expansion. Several factors are contributing to the Rowdies miss this time, when two new teams will be added. However, the Rowdies remain in contention for the next two teams, which will be announced in 2018. According to […]

Mitch PerryNovember 18, 2017

It’s fair to say that a considerable number of people on the political left are emboldened (and embracing party politics) since the stunning election of President Donald Trump. That’s certainly the case with Sarasota businesswoman and activist Ruta Jouniari. Like a lot of people she knows, the 50-year-old House District 72 candidate was frustrated by […]

Drew WilsonNovember 18, 2017

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Outgoing state House member Neil Combee invoked a familiar statewide officeholder in an op-ed he submitted to the The Ledger, defending fellow Republican Josie Tomkow’s candidacy for the District 39 seat Combee is set to vacate next week. Combee is exiting the House Nov. 24 to start a new job as Florida’s State Director of the U.S. […]

Mitch PerryNovember 17, 2017

Vern Buchanan is displeased with the Trump administration’s decision to lift the ban on importing elephant trophies from Africa, saying the world’s largest land mammal is a threatened species facing extinction. “We should not encourage the hunting and slaughter of these magnificent creatures,” the Sarasota Republican congressman said Friday. “We don’t get a second chance once a species […]

Mitch PerryNovember 17, 2017

With four unresolved murders in the past six weeks, tensions in Southeast Seminole Heights have never been higher. Among some black residents, there’s even more anxiety, with many complaining about increased surveillance in the community — and that was before the Tampa Police Department announced earlier this week that the chief suspect is a black […]

Mitch PerryNovember 17, 2017

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Businessman and Iraq War veteran Joe Wicker is running for the House District 59 seat. The Republican’s entrance into the race comes a day after current HD 59 occupant Republican Ross Spano announced his bid for Attorney General. “Trust in government is at an all-time low and voters are looking for leaders with a demonstrated history of service […]

Mitch PerryNovember 17, 2017

Janet Cruz was one of the first Democrats to respond on Friday to a POLITICO Florida report that Florida Democratic Party chairman Stephen Bittel has created a hostile workplace environment for women through constant inappropriate comments and suggestions. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Stephen Bittel. He’s always been kind and respectful to me,” the Democratic House Minority […]

Drew WilsonNovember 16, 2017

Republican Chris Licata announced Thursday that he would withdraw from the three-way primary race to replace HD 69 Rep. Kathleen Peters, who is not seeking re-election in 2018. “Having recently completed eight-years in the Navy, I returned home to the Tampa Bay region to continue a life in service to my fellow citizens. Service to […]

Mitch PerryNovember 16, 2017

Dover House Republican Ross Spano is throwing his hat into the ring for Attorney General, making his House District 59 open next year. The eastern Hillsborough County seat is one in which Democrats hoping for a wave election in 2018 think they might be able to flip — with the right candidate, of course. Last […]

Tampa Bay

Ross Spano backs Joe Wicker as his successor in House District 59

Assessing why the Tampa Bay Rowdies aren’t moving to MLS in this round of expansion

Ruta Jouniari hopes grassroots support will propel her House District 72 bid

Neil Combee mentions familiar name defending Josie Tomkow

Vern Buchanan opposes Trump administration allowing elephant ‘trophies’

Tensions high among blacks, police as Seminole Heights manhunt continues

Joe Wicker becomes first Republican to file for Ross Spano’s HD 59 seat

Janet Cruz first to react to Stephen Bittel accusations

Republican Chris Licata exits HD 69 primary, Jeremy Bailie and Raymond Blacklidge remain

Ross Spano announcement opens HD 59 seat in 2018