Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

It’s no wonder Ken Welch is Pinellas County Commission chair (again) this year. First elected in 2000 and later re-elected four times, Welch is thoughtful and incredibly detail-oriented. It’s clear his deliberative style has contributed to the board’s collaborative, seemingly nonpartisan approach to hammering out policy. “Commissioner Welch is a Chairman’s chairman. A grounded statesman and an […]

Peter SchorschJune 14, 2018

There certainly has been a great deal of change since we published last year’s annual list of the Most Powerful Politicians in Tampa Bay. First of all, the website we published it to — SaintPetersBlog.com — is shuttered after the decision was made to focus all of our reporting energies into FloridaPolitics.com. Second, and more important […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

First elected to her Tampa state House seat in 2010, Janet Cruz served as House Minority Leader over the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions. She’s the first Latina to serve in that capacity. While Democratic leaders in the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature often have little influence, Cruz has managed to have some sway. She has been effective at […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

Current Hillsborough County Commission Chair Sandra Murman was first elected to her District 1 seat in 2010. Her district includes Ruskin, Gibsonton, parts of South Tampa, Town ‘n’ Country and Keystone. At the dais, Murman, a Republican, has taken some credit for steering the transit debate in 2016 after the Go Hillsborough initiative tanked — even though […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

State Sen. Tom Lee of Senate District 20 generated plenty of buzz over the last year as Tampa Bay politicos speculated his next steps: a run for state chief financial officer? Perhaps a go at outgoing Congressman Dennis Ross’s open seat? But the Thonotosassa Republican went with none of the above — and that could shape up […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

In the time that’s elapsed since the noise that erupted around U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in early 2017 died down following his brave decision to face angry constituents at a packed town hall, things have been pretty quiet for the Palm Harbor Republican. That’s no surprise to anyone familiar with Bilirakis, 55, who tends to eschew political […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

It’s not often a freshman officeholder whose party is in the minority makes a most-powerful list. Although, politicians like U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist aren’t exactly common, either. The former Florida governor already had star power to spare when he narrowly defeated Republican incumbent David Jolly in the 2016 race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District seat, which covers most of Pinellas County, […]

Kate BradshawJune 12, 2018

Ranking for Tampa’s Republican state Senator on this list somewhat hinges on a key decision: whether or not Dana Young plans on running for Senate President for 2022-24. Citing time constraints stemming from more immediate commitments (i.e., the 2018 Legislative Session), she dropped that bid earlier this year. Young did, however, manage to get a […]

Kate BradshawJune 12, 2018

As sheriff of the most densely populated county in the state, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri’s role goes well beyond overseeing the department’s day-to-day. He’s often caught in the middle when hot-button national issues and law enforcement collide — and that’s a responsibility he appears to embrace. Gualtieri first took office in 2011. He successfully fended […]

Kate BradshawJune 12, 2018

Since taking office after her 2012 election, Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long has been a potent force at the dais. She’s never been afraid to speak her mind or temper her criticisms when she thinks someone is full of B.S. That said, she’s also been a key proponent of collaboration among all of Tampa Bay’s local governments […]

Tag: 25 Most Powerful Politicians in Tampa Bay

#11 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Ken Welch

Sixth annual list of Tampa Bay’s 25 Most Powerful Politicians

#12 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Janet Cruz

#13 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Sandra Murman

#14 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Tom Lee

#15 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Gus Bilirakis

#16 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Charlie Crist

#17 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Dana Young

#18 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Bob Gualtieri

#19 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Janet Long