Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 8, 2016

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Harry Truman once said if you wanted a friend in Washington, “get a dog.” In a creative twist on that famous phrase, David Jolly is emphasizing his political independence in his first television ad in his bid for re-election to Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Jolly has been derided by officials from the National Republican Congressional Campaign after he […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 7, 2016

Dan Gelber says despite their vast ideological differences, he’s always gotten along with Attorney General Pam Bondi, the woman who defeated him for the position back in 2010. But he says the fact that she solicited a campaign contribution from Donald Trump at the same time her office declined to pursue an investigation into Trump University “raises […]

Mitch PerryAugust 24, 2016

Last week it was The Boston Globe. On Tuesday, it was Michael Tomasky at the Daily Beast, and now it’s USA Today. All three media entities say it’s now time for Bill and Hillary Clinton to shut down the Clinton Foundation, as it has become a major liability to the former first lady as she seeks the presidency. Earlier this week, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 23, 2016

Ben Diamond continues to raise cash in the final weeks of his primary race against fellow Democrat Eric Lynn in the House District 68 race. The 37-year-old Diamond raised $21,200 from Aug. 6 to Aug. 12, and his political action committee — “Protecting Pinellas Families” — brought in additional $27,500 in that same period. Among the contributors to his […]

Mitch PerryAugust 10, 2016

The gloves are starting to come off in the Pinellas County House District 68 race. Ben Diamond is attacking his opponent in the Democratic primary, Eric Lynn, for failing to refund more than $50,000 in contributions he collected for his run for Congress in Florida’s 13th District, which he aborted earlier this year. Lynn left […]

Ben PollaraJuly 28, 2016

The smartest member of Florida’s delegation on Day 3 of #DemsInPhilly was Alex Sink, by a mile. She strolled into the Wells Fargo Center Wednesday wearing an elegant white dress and a pair of blue running sneakers. Well done. Her footwear choice left my leather loafers an even more painful choice than they already were. […]

Mitch PerryJune 29, 2016

Perhaps the first thing to know about the three candidates vying to become the next state representative of House District 68 in Pinellas County is that none of them awoke on New Year’s Day this year with the dream of winning this seat. Republican JB Bensmihen spent most of 2015 preparing to run against Democrat Lois Frankel in Florida’s 22nd […]

Joe HendersonJune 15, 2016

I’m a little surprised by Tom Lee’s decision to run for re-election to the state Senate. Along with just about everyone else in the media and Florida politics, I’ve had lengthy chats with Lee about his future since a judge drew new district lines that essentially forced him to make a tough decision. Because his […]

Mitch PerryJune 14, 2016

After months of deliberation, Hillsborough County Republican Tom Lee has apparently decided to run for re-election to the newly created Senate District 20 seat later this fall. The Tampa Bay Times first reported the news. Lee is currently serving in Senate District 24, a seat he won back in 2012. It was a return to […]

Mitch PerryJune 2, 2016

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is weighing on a race dividing Democrats in Pinellas County, backing St. Petersburg attorney Ben Diamond in the House District 68 contest. “Ben Diamond is an asset to Tampa Bay,” Buckhorn said in a statement released Thursday. “His commitment to fairness and his experience in Tallahassee make him the best candidate to help move […]

Tag: Alex Sink

David Jolly embraces his independence from Washington in new TV ad featuring him with a dog

Dan Gelber calls on Pam Bondi to invite independent investigation into Trump University matter

Mitch Perry Report for 8.24.16 — Pressure builds for Clinton Foundation to fade away

Alex Sink contributes $5K to HD 68 candidate Ben Diamond’s political committee

Ben Diamond blasts Eric Lynn for not returning campaign contributions for his previous run for office

Ben Pollara: An insider’s view of Day 3 of the DNC

House District 68 candidates show little difference on the issues in Tiger Bay forum

Joe Henderson: Tom Lee’s tough, surprising choice

Tom Lee to run for SD 20 seat

Bob Buckhorn endorses Ben Diamond in the HD 68 race