Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 7, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper announced a fundraiser for his Senate campaign next week in Palm Harbor. The May 9 event will be held from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Catcher and the Rye, 917 11th St. More than two dozen names are listed on the host committee, including attorney Ed Armstrong, accountant Steve Bunch, […]

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 […]

Drew WilsonApril 21, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper announced Friday that the Florida Fraternal Order of Police District 3 Lodges have endorsed his campaign for state Senate. “Ed Hooper has shown his support for first responders. Now the members of the Fraternal Order of Police, District 3 lodges are glad to support him in his bid for the State […]

Mitch PerryMarch 2, 2018

After the Parkland mass shooting two weeks ago, Bernie Fensterwald is more determined than ever to win in Senate District 16. As proof, the Dunedin Democrat is putting $25,000 of his own money into the campaign. “I’m 100 percent committed to this race, and I’m willing to prove it,” Fensterwald announced Friday. “The tragedy in Parkland […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2018

Palm Harbor resident Leo Karruli has entered the race for state Senate District 16, the seat recently vacated by embattled Sen. Jack Latvala. Karruli, 50, owns Leo’s Italian Grill on U.S. 19 in Palm Harbor. He is a Queens, New York native who moved to Pinellas County in 1991. In a brief phone interview with Florida Politics, Karruli said […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2018

With Democrats and Republicans sharply divided on the issue of gun control and gun rights, it’s little surprise that less than 24 hours after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz shot and killed 17 people at a Broward County school, the issues would come up in a race for a contested open seat in the Florida Senate. Democrat […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 29, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper picked up a pair of endorsements for his state Senate campaign Monday from clerks of court in Pasco and Pinellas counties. “Ed Hooper knows who how to get things done. In the Senate, we can count on him to make sure our voices are heard and our needs fought for. There […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 15, 2018

When Dunedin-based Democrat Bernie Fensterwald III entered the local political scene two years ago, there was significant attention paid to his personal finances after documents showed he was worth $19.8 million. Criticism ultimately followed after he lost his challenge to Republican Chris Sprowls in the House District 65 seat, spending just $35,000 in the race, […]

Tag: Bernie Fensterwald
Image via Palatka Main Street.

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

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

Fundraiser for Ed Hooper this Wednesday in Palm Harbor

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

Police union backs Ed Hooper for Senate

After Parkland, Bernie Fensterwald determined to win state Senate race

Restaurateur Leo Karruli files to run for Jack Latvala’s Senate seat

In wake of Parkland shooting, gun control become an issue in state Senate race

Ed Hooper endorsed by Pasco, Pinellas clerks of court

Bernie Fensterwald: Democrat wants to be true ‘citizen legislator’