Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschAugust 1, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce last week rolled out a second round of endorsements in legislative races across the state. There are more than 400 candidates who have qualified to run for the 160 seats in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. With this latest round of endorsements, the Chamber is now backing 110 candidates […]

Mitch PerryJuly 28, 2016

Florida Republicans dominate state government in Tallahassee, and in the state House, it’s not even close. Yet incoming House Minority Leader Janet Cruz says she “conservatively” believes the Democrats can flip six seats this coming fall, and — just as importantly — retain that number in 2018, beginning the party’s journey to finally getting close […]

Mitch PerryJuly 21, 2016

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Florida Gulf Coast Chapter is backing Eric Lynn in the state House District 68 race. “We are proud to endorse Eric Lynn for House District 68 because he will best represent our community, builders and contractors, and we look forward to working with him in Tallahassee,” said Steve Cona, president/CEO of […]

Mitch PerryJuly 21, 2016

One of the biggest surprises of how the Republican primary season played out to this reporter was how successful Ted Cruz was. When you looked at the panoply of candidates who had serious potential to go all the way in 2016, he was never at the front of my list (neither, of course, was Donald […]

Mitch PerryJuly 20, 2016

The primary race in House District 68 between fellow St. Petersburg Democrats Eric Lynn and Ben Diamond is becoming so competitive that when one candidate announces an endorsement, the other also seems to follow suit a few hours later. The Lynn camp announced Wednesday they have received the backing of the Florida Medical Association (FMA) PAC. That comes just a few hours after […]

Peter SchorschJuly 20, 2016

Another day, another endorsement for Democrat Ben Diamond. The Florida Professional Firefighters announced Wednesday their endorsement of Diamond in the competitive race for House District 68. “The Florida Professional Firefighters are proud to endorse Ben Diamond,” said Winthrop “Will” Newton, 2nd District vice president. “Ben cares about his community and will do an excellent job representing his district […]

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

Screen-Shot-2016-07-19-at-8.54.37-AM.png

St. Petersburg attorney Ben Diamond is going up with his first television ad in his House District 68 campaign. Coincidentally or not, it comes a day after his Democratic opponent, Eric Lynn, announced his first ad would begin airing today. The 30-second ad starts with a narrator saying about the candidate that he “knows how to defeat powerful special interests to help […]

Mitch PerryJuly 18, 2016

Screen-Shot-2016-07-18-at-2.52.37-PM.png

Pinellas County House District 68 Democrat Eric Lynn will begin airing a local 30-second television ad that will run through the primary election on August 30. The ad begins with Lynn taking a stroll with his wife, kids and dog, and then places him in front of the Vinoy Hotel. A photo with President Barack Obama also makes an appearance. Lynn […]

Peter SchorschJuly 12, 2016

‘Tis the season. It’s that most wonderful time of the year when candidates running in this fall’s elections begin to make the rounds at candidate forums, hob nobs, straw polls and Tiger Bay debates. It’s at these events candidates can begin to distinguish themselves from their opponents with a quick retort — or a regrettable gaffe. […]

Tag: Ben Diamond
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

10 picks that stand out among the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 legislative endorsements

Janet Cruz says she believes Florida Democrats can flip 6 House seats this fall

Associated Builders and Contractors back Eric Lynn in HD 68 race

Mitch Perry Report for 7.21.16 — Ted Cruz’s courage

Eric Lynn gets Florida Medical Association endorsement in HD 68 contest

Ben Diamond gets backing of firefighters for HD 68 bid

Mitch Perry Report for 7.20.16 — Vetting Paul Manafort

Ben Diamond now puts up his first ad in his HD 68 contest

Eric Lynn goes up with first TV ad in HD 68 race in Pinellas County

5 reasons I’m looking forward to tonight’s “Popcorn & Politics” event