Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannSeptember 17, 2015

For its newly launched Broward County office, lobbying firm Ballard Partners said Thursday it has hired government relations and fundraising expert Stephanie Grutman. Grutman brings more than 17 years of experience, which included being one of Politics Magazine’s most influential Democrats in Florida for 2009. She also spent four years as finance director of Senate […]

Jim RosicaAugust 24, 2015

Lawmakers couldn’t agree on congressional redistricting but they do seem to agree on one thing: Muzzling the Florida Supreme Court. The latest special session ended last week with no new map to apportion Florida’s 27 U.S. House districts. It did result in lots of rhetoric, including from some Democrats, on “judicial overreach” and breaching the […]

Mitch PerryJuly 29, 2015

The president of the Lakewood Ranch Republican Club, Steve Vernon, has become the second candidate to file for Sarasota Representative Greg Steube‘s House seat in 2016, as reported by the Bradenton Herald. However, neither Vernon nor Joe Gruters, the other announced candidate in the contest, say they want to actually challenge Steube in the House […]

Ryan RayJuly 28, 2015

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If things break as the Florida Supreme Court has foreshadowed, House Majority Leader Dana Young might be headed to the state Senate. While sources are conflicted as to whether a likely re-drawing of the upper chamber’s district boundaries will leave Young with a viable district, there is broad agreement on one thing: if she runs, she’ll certainly be competitive. “If a […]

Phil AmmannJuly 14, 2015

Florida’s leading law enforcement association recognized 10 legislators this week for providing significant advancements in 2015 to the state’s overall public safety. Florida Sheriffs Association is a for-profit corporation representing Florida Sheriffs, as well as nearly 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 Floridians. The association released its annual list of Legislative Champions on Monday night during the group’s Summer Conference […]

Mitch PerryJune 29, 2015

Hillary Clinton will give a speech within the next three weeks giving her take on how she would deal with Wall Street bankers and the financial industry. That was the one major nugget of news to emanate from Robbie Mook‘s appearance at the Mise en Place restaurant in Tampa on Monday night. Mook is the 35-year-old […]

Phil AmmannJune 23, 2015

More than a few high-profile Tampa Bay Democrats will be joining Gwen Graham for a major fundraiser next week to help her re-election effort in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. The $250-per-person reception will be Tuesday, June 30, beginning 5:30 p.m. at the home of former Democratic state Sen. Pat Frank, who now serves as Hillsborough […]

Drew WilsonJune 21, 2015

As of June, none of the 12 Florida Senators running for reelection is facing much of a challenge — Democratic Sen. Jeff Clemens is the only incumbent to draw an opponent so far, but it won’t derail him from another term. District 29 looks set as well, with Democratic Rep. Jim Waldman having a clear path to take over for outgoing Sen. Jeremy […]

Mitch PerryJune 10, 2015

The big news in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday morning is Mike Salinero‘s exclusive in The Tampa Tribune that Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill is prepared to recommend to county commissioners and Mayor Bob Buckhorn that a half-cent sales transit tax be put on the ballot in 2016, with 60 percent of the revenue going to […]

Mitch PerryJune 9, 2015

Going back to a December 2013 meeting among the Hillsborough County state legislative delegation, Arthenia Joyner has always fought any moves to weaken the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission’s ability to regulate share-riding companies like Uber and Lyft. So it was no surprise on Tuesday when she again had the local agency’s back (as well as […]

Tag: Arthenia Joyner
A sign that reads, Gaza Solidarity Encampment, is seen during the Pro-Palestinians protest at the Columbia University campus in New York, Monday April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Personnel note: Stephanie Grutman joins Ballard Partners’ new Broward office

Arguing Florida lawmakers agree on one thing: silence the Florida Supreme Court

In wake of redistricting situation, Sarasota’s Greg Steube contemplates future

Dana Young for Florida Senate?

Florida Sheriffs Association picks Legislative Champions for 2015

Robbie Mook says Hillary Clinton taking primary campaign season seriously

Democratic power roster to help re-elect Gwen Graham with June 30 Tampa fundraiser

Keep your eyes on these 8 state Senate campaigns

Mitch Perry Report for 6.10.15 — Game-changing developments?

Arthenia Joyner again stops proposal that would ease life for Uber and Lyft in Florida