Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2018

The two longest-serving members of the St. Petersburg City Council, Jim Kennedy and Karl Nurse, appeared on the dais for the last time Tuesday, giving the reins of power to newcomers Brandi Gabbard and Gina Driscoll, who are taking their spots for Districts 2 and 6, respectively. While a member of the St. Pete board can only […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2018

After they were sworn into office Tuesday morning, there were several allusions on the dais to the fact that with Brandi Gabbard‘s and Gina Driscoll‘s victories in their respective St. Petersburg City Council races last fall, the eight-member Council is now dominantly female. Gabbard easily defeated Barclay Harless in November for the northern St. Pete District 2 […]

Drew WilsonDecember 29, 2017

House District 69 candidate Jennifer Webb announced in a Thursday email that she had earned endorsements from 20 local Democratic leaders in her campaign to take over for exiting Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters. “Today I’m proud to announce that I have received 20 endorsements from some of my favorite people representing our beautiful community,” she […]

Mitch PerryDecember 27, 2017

While most of the country considered 2017 an electoral “off-year,” that wasn’t the case in the Tampa Bay region, thanks to the St. Petersburg municipal elections. Here’s this reporter’s list of the top ten political news stories of the year: 10. — Bob Buckhorn decides not to run for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. For years, the […]

Mitch PerryNovember 7, 2017

Realtor Brandi Gabbard has won a seat on the St. Petersburg City Council, defeating banker Barclay Harless 61 percent to 39 percent. The contest featured two candidates with distinctive backgrounds and policy prescriptions who competed all year long to succeed Jim Kennedy. He served on the board for 10 years, making him the longest-serving current council […]

Mitch PerryOctober 30, 2017

The St. Petersburg municipal elections are officially nonpartisan in law — but certainly not in spirit when it comes to the mayoral and District 6 City Council races this year. That’s not a real issue in the District 2 race, where both Barclay Harless and Brandi Gabbard are Democrats battling each other to represent the Gateway/Gandy […]

Peter SchorschApril 10, 2017

As coy as he has been with the local media and as busy as he is promoting the Rowdies referendum, Rick Baker is almost certain to run for St. Petersburg mayor this year. Last week, Baker was in Tallahassee for a series of not-exactly-clandestine meetings with top Republican donors like Brian Ballard and Nick Iarossi. […]

Mitch PerryMarch 28, 2017

John Johnson, a research administrator at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, is the latest candidate to file in the crowded St. Petersburg City Council District 6 contest. The 46-year-old native Ohio resident calls himself a policy wonk, not a politician. “My background is education, so I’m a strong believer in education, and what it can do at […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 5, 2017

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman filed for re-election Thursday. “I’m asking the citizens of St. Petersburg to continue the progress of the past three years,” the mayor said in a statement. “Working together, we’ve taken on the serious issues and made a positive impact in all corners of our city.” The announcement comes nearly three years to […]

Mitch PerryNovember 30, 2016

In Washington today, House Democrats are expected to reaffirm Nancy Pelosi as their leader for the 115th Congress today, where she is being opposed by Ohio Representative Tim Ryan. However, because the vote will be held on a secret ballot, there is a though that the vote could be a lot closer than what is expected. […]

Tag: Amy Foster

Karl Nurse, Jim Kennedy say goodbye to St. Pete City Council

Gina Driscoll, Brandi Gabbard become newest St. Pete City Council members

Jennifer Webb touts 20 local endorsements in HD 69 race

Mitch Perry’s review of top Tampa Bay stories of 2017

Brandi Gabbard defeats Barclay Harless in St. Pete City Council District 2

Darden Rice, Ken Welch give to both sides in St. Pete District 2 race

The case against Rick Baker running for St. Petersburg mayor

‘Policy wonk’ John Johnson plans listening tour for St. Pete City Council bid

Rick Kriseman formally announces he’s running for re-election

Mitch Perry Report for 11.30.16 – How many votes will Tim Ryan get today?

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.