Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 18, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper is hitting TV screens throughout Senate District 16 this week with a pair of 30-second ads. Depending on where in the Pinellas- and Pasco-based district viewers live, they’ll see a different version of the ad. The ad airing in North Pinellas on Spectrum features an introduction from Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. […]

Drew WilsonJune 12, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper narrowly outraised New Port Richey Democrat Amanda Murphy in her first month running for Senate District 16. Hooper raised $43,575 in hard money and tacked on another $24,590 through his committee, Friends of Ed Hooper, for a total of $68,165 raised in May. After about $12,000 in spending, Hooper’s accounts ended […]

Drew WilsonJune 4, 2018

A political committee tied to former Democratic Rep. Amanda Murphy, who is running for Senate District 16 in the fall, brought in $50,000 last month according to a campaign finance report filed Monday. Taxpayers for Responsible Government received that money via a single contribution, though no name or occupation was attributed to the money. The […]

Peter SchorschMay 29, 2018

Two incumbent state Senators enter the summer with nine-point leads over their Democratic challengers, while two former state Representatives seeking an open seat in the Senate are essentially tied, fresh polling shows. Pinellas Republican Jeff Brandes leads Democratic trial lawyer Carrie Pilon 48-39, according to a survey conducted by St. Pete Polls, while a separate […]

Drew WilsonMay 15, 2018

Democrat Bernie Fensterwald announced Tuesday that he’s ending his campaign for Senate District 16. “After consulting friends, family and supporters, I’ve decided to withdraw from the Senate district 16 race. I want to thank everyone who’s supported my campaign and I wish all Democrats success in the November elections,” he wrote in a post on […]

Drew WilsonMay 9, 2018

Former Democratic Rep. Amanda Murphy said she would run for Senate District 16 last week, and on Wednesday she made it official by filing her paperwork with the Florida Division of Elections. “I am running because the people of Pasco and Pinellas Counties need someone who will put them first, someone who knows what it […]

Drew WilsonMay 5, 2018

Amanda Murphy is back. The Pasco Democrat on Friday told Florida Politics she is running for the state Senate. The former state Representative said she was “sick and tired” of what’s happening in Tallahassee and that she wants to be back there to “fight the good fight.” Look for her to file as soon as Monday. The […]

Peter SchorschApril 26, 2018

If the Florida Democratic Party did, in fact, try to convince former state Rep. Amanda Murphy to run for Senate District 16, they weren’t persuasive. Multiple sources told us Thursday that Murphy will not run for the seat, formerly held by Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala, who resigned in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal. Currently, former state Rep. Ed […]

Drew WilsonMarch 31, 2018

Freshman Republican Rep. Amber Mariano picked up a primary challenger this week in her re-election campaign for House District 36. Holiday Republican Joseph Molnar filed for the seat Wednesday, joining Mariano and New Port Richey Democrat Linda Jack in the race for the Pasco County seat. Molnar’s resume includes several stints working for the Republican […]

Peter SchorschMarch 28, 2018

It’s been nearly 25 years since a Democrat presided over the Florida Senate, but if the plans of party leaders and operatives come together, the president’s gavel could be theirs as soon as November. The Florida Democratic Party and the Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the recently-established campaign arm of the Senate Democrats, are aggressively working to […]

Ed Hooper hits the airwaves in SD 16

Ed Hooper edges out Amanda Murphy in May fundraising

Amanda Murphy raises $50K for political committee during first weeks on the trail

New polling: Jeff Brandes, Dana Young begin re-election campaigns with nine-point leads, while Amanda Murphy, Ed Hooper tied

Bernie goes bust, clears way for Amanda Murphy in SD 16 Dem. primary

It’s official: Amanda Murphy is running for state Senate

She’s back: Amanda Murphy to square off against Ed Hooper for north Pinellas state Senate seat

Amanda Murphy decides against state Senate run

Amber Mariano draws primary challenger in HD 36

Florida Democrats look to expand number of state Senate seats in play