Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 28, 2015

Mel Martinez is a solid Jeb Bush guy, but he acknowledges that Donald Trump has tapped into something in the GOP body politic, and is not this year’s model of a Herman Cain or Michele Bachmann. Both of those Republican candidates shared time as the front runner for the GOP presidential nomination during the 2011 runup […]

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 […]

Phil AmmannJune 16, 2015

A group of Tampa-area Democrats, including the last three Democratic nominees for governor, are hosting a June 28 Tampa fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy‘s 2016 Senate campaign. Charlie Crist, Alex Sink and former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis join Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, former state Sen. Betty Castor and other high-profile Democrats at the Hyde […]

Mitch PerryMay 19, 2015

Tampa icon Helen Gordon Davis passed away yesterday after being in poor health for awhile. She was 88. Reading about her life and political history again last night, I realized how much this woman kicked some ass working for positive change in Florida. “She was a phenomenal spokesperson for women and human rights,” former USF President and […]

Mitch PerryMay 18, 2015

Last week, a delegation of Tampa area officials visited Cuba in a trip organized by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. It was the third excursion to the communist island led by the Chamber in the past few years. It was “certainly the most productive and most historic,” Ronald Christaldi, a partner with the Tampa law firm of Shumaker, Loop […]

Steve SchaleMarch 22, 2015

The revolving door that is Bob Graham’s old U.S. Senate seat will continue in 2016. Barring a surprise, Florida will have its fourth Senator representing that seat since Sen. Graham retired – and for Democrats, Congressman Patrick Murphy gives us a real chance to return the seat to our column. At this point, there is […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 4, 2015

WUSF Radio reported Tuesday that Sami Al-Arian is being deported to Turkey, possibly as early as today. If accurate, this development ends a 20-year legal and political odyssey for the former University of South Florida professor, who was accused and pleaded guilty to one count of providing material support for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in 2006. […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 29, 2014

I know what it’s like to oppose John Thrasher. I was a very junior senator facing one of Florida’s most respected, influential leaders who believed, on his side, just as strongly as I did on mine. I felt the force of his muscular personality, his immense grasp of the issues and his access to great resources […]

Tag: Betty Castor

Mel Martinez says Donald Trump 3rd party candidacy would be GOP disaster

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

Tampa Democrats, including Gov. nominees, to hold Patrick Murphy funder June 28

Mitch Perry Report 5.19.15 – RIP, Helen Gordon Davis

Tampa Chamber of Commerce positioning area to prosper with post-sanctions Cuba

Steven Schale: Patrick Murphy gives Democrats a real shot at Senate seat

Mitch Perry Report for 2.4.15 – The Sami Al-Arian odyssey in America ends today

Don Gaetz: Thrasher has the skills, smarts and charm to be a great FSU president