Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 7, 2016

Who knew Hillary Clinton was a fan of the University of South Florida Bulls? “Hello, Tampa! Hello, USF! I know I’m only the second-most exciting thing that’s happened here in the last few days. Your big win to open your football season got some attention,” the Democratic presidential nominee said to the audience who gathered […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

Sean Shaw will be returning to Tallahassee next year, representing Hillsborough County’s House District 61, which encompasses Ybor City, Tampa Heights, Seminole Heights, and East Tampa. In an incredibly tight race, the Tampa attorney defeated East Tampa activist and businesswoman Dianne Hart, getting 42.71 percent of the vote to Hart’s 41.92 percent. Shaw received 6,696 votes to Hart’s […]

Mitch PerryAugust 27, 2016

Augie Ribeiro has now spent $672,075 in the Senate District 19 race. The St. Petersburg-based civil justice attorney’s fundraising prowess — more than 70 percent of it from his own deep pockets — dwarfs the totals of the other three candidates in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, Ed Narain, Betty Reed and Darryl Rouson. Narain, the House District 61 state Representative trying to advance to […]

Mitch PerryAugust 24, 2016

It’s always challenging for any Democrat to get a bill they sponsored passed in the Florida Legislature. And with Republicans continuing to dominate the House and Senate, it’s sometimes difficult to hear them boast about what they’ll accomplish in Tallahassee on the campaign trail, when the reality is much starker. At Tuesday night’s Senate District […]

Anne LindbergAugust 16, 2016

Listen to Augie Ribeiro talk, hear his ads or read his campaign literature and two themes stand out: Ribeiro is an attorney who fights for the little guy and he’s the only “true Democrat” in the race for state Senate District 19. But a flyer that landed in Democratic mailboxes Monday — the first day […]

Peter SchorschAugust 9, 2016

In an unprecedented move, the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus — led by Oscar Braynon — is picking a favorite candidate in an open, competitive primary. State Rep. Ed Narain has emerged as the preferred choice of Braynon and his caucus over state Rep. Darryl Rouson, former state Rep. Betty Reed, and trial attorney Augie Ribeiro. The four Democrats are competing […]

Mitch PerryJuly 28, 2016

One of Florida’s newest state senators, Lauren Book, addressed the Florida Delegation Breakfast Thursday at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. “Why are each and every one of you here today?” she challenged delegates shortly after her introduction. The Broward County Democrat was following such notables as Howard Dean and Terry McAuliffe. “Why have you traveled a thousand or […]

Mitch PerryJuly 20, 2016

A political convention is often called “the Super Bowl” of politics, and that’s true in this respect: There are a sh*tload of reporters on hand around, and not that many storylines that are unique. Hence, the constant discussion of Melania Trump‘s speech on Monday night. Donald Trump‘s top campaign aide, Paul Manafort, said early Tuesday […]

Mitch PerryJuly 19, 2016

Tampa attorney Sean Shaw appears to be the consensus, establishment choice to take the House District 61 seat next month, and he received one of the most important endorsements of his campaign Tuesday when outgoing Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner announced she is backing him. “Sean Shaw is the fighter we need in Tallahassee,” Sen. Joyner said in a statement. […]

Mitch PerryJuly 15, 2016

Bad news for folks who were psyched that Tim Tebow was announced on Thursday to be a featured speaker at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Like Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady before him, Tebow became the latest (former) pro quarterback who has disavowed any intentions that he would be speaking at Donald Trump‘s party next […]

Tag: Arthenia Joyner
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Mitch Perry Report for 9.7.16 — Pam Bondi’s reluctance to investigate Trump University resurfaces on the campaign trail

Sean Shaw narrowly defeats Dianne Hart in House District 61 race

Augie Ribeiro has now spent more than $672,000 in quest to win Senate District 19

SD 19 candidates talk about early education and getting bills passed in a GOP Legislature

Direct mail round-up: Flyer says Augie Ribeiro not a true Democrat, has no Florida law license

By allowing money transfer, Oscar Braynon and Senate Caucus now backing Ed Narain in competitive Democratic primary

Lauren Book challenges Florida Democratic delegation to remember why they came to Philadelphia

Mitch Perry Report for 7.20.16 — Vetting Paul Manafort

Arthenia Joyner backs Sean Shaw in HD 61 race

Mitch Perry Report for 7.15.16 — No Tebowing in Cleveland