Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 7, 2015

Almost 1,200 gay and lesbian couples were issued marriage licenses in Florida’s 20 most-populous counties during the first two days a ban on same-sex marriage was lifted, according to a survey of clerks’ of court by The Associated Press. The clerks had issued 1,175 licenses to same-sex couples as of Tuesday evening in the state’s […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 7, 2015

When she left office four years ago, speculation in the Bay area was rife that Pam Iorio would be going on to bigger things in the political world – though she never directly said so herself. After publishing a political memoir in 2012 that didn’t exactly set the world on fire, the former Tampa mayor was […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 7, 2015

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is the latest high profile Republican to endorse candidate Lenny Curry in this spring’s Jacksonville mayoral election. “Over the years I have built a strong relationship with Lenny,” the Florida Senator said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that he admires his conservative principles and passion for the community. “As a small […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 7, 2015

Although the phrase may have originated with Occupy Wall Street, it seems like several GOP candidates for president next year will be talking about economic inequality. At least Jeb Bush will be, according to the platform he laid out with the unveiling of his new PAC, The Right to Rise, on Tuesday. “We believe the income gap […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 7, 2015

Although the phrase may have originated with Occupy Wall Street, it seems like several GOP candidates for president next year will be talking about economic inequality. At least Jeb Bush will be, according to the platform he laid out with the unveiling of his new PAC, The Right to Rise, on Tuesday. “We believe the income gap […]

Daniel TilsonJanuary 6, 2015

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to leave New York, Illinois and other points north where winter cold, wind, snow and some measure of enforced social responsibility for corporations and the super-rich are all unfortunate facts of life. “Retired or about to retire? Sick of wicked weather and state government feigning […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 6, 2015

Several days before the White House announced the U.S. would be normalizing relations with Cuba, a high school sophomore from Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood gave a speech that wowed a bipartisan group of state legislators and education advocates at a conference sponsored by the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (HCREO). In his speech, […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 6, 2015

Four years ago, I wrote a piece looking at how Florida stacked up to the other battleground states. It was largely in response to a bunch of reporters’ calls questioning Florida’s swing state status. At least we are past that debate. This piece updates that one, looking at how the 2012 results have or have not shaken […]

Marc YachtJanuary 6, 2015

In August a federal judge struck down Florida’s same sex marriage ban. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle noted in his ruling that his is now one of 19 federal courts that have struck down state laws that bar gay and lesbian couples from marrying. Gay marriage opponents continue to raise barriers to same-sex couples desiring […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 6, 2015

At approximately 12:11 p.m. today, Hillsborough County Clerk of the Courts Pat Frank wound down her official duties in officiating over the mass same-sex marriage ceremony in downtown Tampa’s Joe Chillura Park. “By virtue of the authority invested in me, under the laws of the state of Florida, I now pronounce you joined in matrimony,” she […]

Almost 1,200 same-sex marriages already in Florida's largest metros

Pam Iorio helps bring HQ of Big Brothers Big Sisters to Tampa

Marco Rubio endorses Lenny Curry for Jax mayor

Mitch Perry Report for 1.7.15 – Jeb platform an updated version of W’s?

Mitch Perry Report for 1.7.15 – Jeb platform an updated version of W's?

Daniel Tilson: An early draft of Gov. Scott’s 2015 Inaugural speech

William Mattox: Embattled school in Little Havana fears déjà vu all over again

Steve Schale: Just how close is 'swing state' Florida?

Marc Yacht: Gay marriage 'Taint nobody's business' except the couple's

Over a hundred same-sex couples get married in downtown Tampa