Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Hours before midterm election results start rolling in, Pinellas County Republicans are just as optimistic as Democrats. “I think you’re going to see us win Election Day turnout, as always,” said Todd Jennings, Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee vive-chair. Party volunteers have been calling voters in a last-minute get-out-the-vote effort. They also have groups continuing […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Tampa Bay-area Democrats are pooling resources for get-out-the-vote efforts in St. Petersburg. Congressman Charlie Crist joined candidates Lindsay Cross, Jennifer Webb and Sean Shaw at Webb’s House District 69 campaign headquarters in the Tyrone area to call voters who have not yet cast a ballot either on Election Day or during early voting. “Do you have […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Voter turnout in Pinellas County after the Election Day morning rush is favoring Republicans. Democrats had a slight early turnout edge heading into Election Day, but Republicans stormed the polls a little hard than Democrats. Total voter turnout as of 11:00 a.m. separated the two parties 134,000 to 131,000 with Republicans out performing at the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Election Day started out with a bang in South St. Petersburg, but the hoopla was quickly deflated around 7:53 a.m. That’s when a technical glitch at the Jet Jackson Recreation Center caused voting to temporarily halt. The line as polls opened at the precinct was about 40-deep, according to poll watchers. That line was moving […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

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Political candidates spend months rallying volunteers, knocking on doors, hobnobbing with voters at public events and, of course, raising cash. Come Election Night they’re ready, win or lose, to cut loose and either get to work or get back to their families. Whether the champagne is flowing or supporters are drowning disappointing election results at […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Political expert Susan MacManus doesn’t foresee a “blue tsunami” in Tampa Bay area races, but thinks a smaller wave is possible. She sees, for example, potential flips for Democrats in one Congressional race and two State Senate contests. Those include the Ross Spano/Kristen Carlson Congressional matchup in East Hillsborough and Lakeland, the Ed Hooper/Amanda Murphy state Senate […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 5, 2018

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Senate candidate Lindsay Cross was up before the sun Monday prepping for her final day of campaigning before Election Day. She started the day at her St. Petersburg home on the patio for a “coffee chat” with voters. “If you have already cast your ballot, thank you,” Cross said, coffee mug in hand and cicadas […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 5, 2018

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Joe Wicker has a less famous version of Kanye West, minus the racist comments, backing him in his campaign against Democrat Adam Hattersley for Florida House District 59. Georgia rapper Pastor Troy recorded a 30-second message supporting Wicker for the seat to replace incumbent Ross Spano. Wicker grew up with the 40-year-old Troy in Atlanta and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 5, 2018

Two more attack pieces landed in voters’ mailboxes this weekend rallying opposition for Jennifer Webb. Webb is running against Republican Ray Blacklidge for the House District 69 seat currently occupied by Kathleen Peters. One of the ads shows a giant spider web with the words “sell out” woven into it. The header reads “Wilbur is […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 4, 2018

Democratic Congressman Charlie Crist is looking at an easy re-election Tuesday against a less than formidable challenge from Republican George Buck. That’s likely why he’s spending his time campaigning with other Democrats throughout the state to help them get elected. Crist started his Saturday in Tampa near Ybor City making the rounds with Chris King, the […]

Tag: 2018 midterm
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

What blue wave? Pinellas GOP exudes confidence majority will hold firm

Blue wave or not, Pinellas Democrats are fired up

Pinellas County election AM rush favored Republicans

South St. Pete polling place has Election Day glitch

It’s not the party … it’s the after party! A rundown of where Tampa Bay-area candidates will be on election night

Susan MacManus: Blue wave, maybe; blue tsunami, nope

Lindsay Cross with Martin O’Malley, Chris King on Election Eve

‘No Mo’ Play In FL’: Rapper Pastor Troy endorses Joe Wicker

Jennifer Webb a ‘sell out,’ attack mailer charges

Safe this election, Charlie Crist hits the trail for other Democrats