25 Most Powerful Politicians in Tampa Bay Archives

Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018

As any observer of Florida politics will tell you, this 34-year-old Palm Harbor Republican is on the move. First elected to House District 65 over Democratic incumbent Carl Zimmerman in 2014, Chris Sprowls had little difficulty getting re-elected in 2016 against Democrat Bernie Fensterwald. At this point, 2018 appears to be shaping up the same way. Sprowls currently serves as […]

Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018

The last time anyone asked, Tampanians overwhelmingly said they approve of the job Bob Buckhorn has done as Mayor of Tampa. Back in November, some three-quarters of 350 Tampa residents surveyed said they approve of his performance, and most said the city is headed in the right direction — that was before Raybor was a thing. In […]

Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018

Given that he’s the incoming Senate President, there’s no way Bill Galvano wouldn’t have landed at or near the top of the list. The Bradenton Republican representing Senate District 21, will lead his chamber over the 2019 and 2020 legislative sessions by determining legislative priorities and setting the tone of the conversations it has with the House […]

Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018

As the 2017 mayoral race ramped up last year, re-election was never a sure thing for incumbent St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. It was far from it at times. Yet despite a significant challenge from former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, who was often ahead in the polls, he and his allies pulled it off. Whether it […]

Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018

An egg farmer by trade, Wilton Simpson currently serves as Senate Majority Leader. The Trilby Republican’s prestige doesn’t end there, though. Simpson, 51, is slated to become Senate President in 2020, on the heels of incoming Senate President Bill Galvano. (Both presidencies, of course, hinge on GOP dominance in that chamber following the 2018 and 2020 elections.) Voted […]

Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018

Whether it’s a string of good decisions — or that she has had an impossibly charmed life in politics thus far — Congresswoman Kathy Castor doesn’t really seem capable of having a bad year. Yet the Tampa Democrat has certainly been an underdog more than once; first, as a Hillsborough County Commissioner in the Ronda Storms era, […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

Although he had a good run in his two years as House Speaker — and managed to make a splash as a prospective candidate for governor, the Land O’ Lakes Republican falls five spots this year. He claimed the No. 2 slot last year after his raucous showdown with Gov. Rick Scott over VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

The Republican state Senator from St. Petersburg fell a few slots this year. That’s not to say Jeff Brandes doesn’t have the juice he did in prior years. And like in previous years, he had a busy 2018 Session. He sponsored some 65 bills and co-sponsored dozens more. He sat on seven committees, including as chair of […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

The likely reason for Ken Hagan’s steep climb in the rankings this year is no mystery. A fixture on the Hillsborough County Commission since first elected in 2002, Hagan has been the face of county leaders’ campaign to woo the Rays across the bay. It’s an effort that appears to have succeeded. The team finally announced […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

Darryl Rouson is known for his willingness to work with Republicans over the years as well as his passionate advocacy on behalf of his Senate District 19 constituents. A most recent example of this is his support of a proposed constitutional amendment to expand Florida’s homestead exemption, which will appear on the statewide ballot in […]

Tag: 25 Most Powerful Politicians in Tampa Bay

#1 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Chris Sprowls

#2 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Bob Buckhorn

#3 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Bill Galvano

#4 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Rick Kriseman

#5 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Wilton Simpson

#6 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Kathy Castor

#7 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Richard Corcoran

#8 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Jeff Brandes

#9 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Ken Hagan

#10 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Darryl Rouson