Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 7, 2016

If you remember when we first heard about the tea party in early 2009, its supporters talked about having a pox on both houses — that is, they felt Republicans and Democrats were part of the same dirty cesspool that is Washington, D.C. A lot of things have changed since then, but I became a bit […]

Jim RosicaJune 23, 2016

Alas, former Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow will not be immortalized in marble or bronze anytime soon. At least not in the U.S. Capitol. Nor will Miami Herald columnist and novelist Carl Hiaasen, adult film star and Florida native Riley Reid and former Gov. “Jeb Bush‘s political career (not him, his career).” They were among nominees proposed by members of […]

Mitch PerryJune 17, 2016

Two years ago, special interest money out of Washington made the special congressional election in Florida’s 13th District between David Jolly and Alex Sink one of the most expensive of all time. While it’s unlikely the spending will exceed the reported $12 million paid out in 2014, it’s a race Democrats will desperately try to win — especially if they believe […]

Phil AmmannJune 17, 2016

U.S. Rep. David Jolly has unfinished business. After weeks of pressure from local officials, bolstered by rumors of Marco Rubio seeking re-election, Jolly is dropping his bid for the U.S. Senate, opting instead for a re-election bid in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. “David Jolly’s passion is to serve the people of Pinellas,” former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick […]

Mitch PerryMay 2, 2016

Since declaring his candidacy for his first run for Congress in late 2013, David Jolly had to hear from his critics that he’s a creature of the Washington Establishment. Jolly spent 11 years working with Congressman Bill Young, the last six as his general counsel. In 2007, he left to join the Washington, D.C. firm Van Scoyoc Associates as a lobbyist. […]

Ryan RayJanuary 20, 2016

The office of CFO Jeff Atwater has elevated Joel Brown to the role of Press Secretary. The Republican staffer and campaign aide comes to the job via the Tampa Bay area, where he was a regional director of Atwater’s operations there. Previously Brown had served as campaign coordinator and district assistant to longtime Pinellas U.S. Rep. C.W. “Bill” Young, and […]

Mitch PerryDecember 15, 2015

Congressional District 13 Democratic hopeful Charlie Crist is coming out swinging against Republican Mark Bircher, in advance of Bircher’s formal kickoff campaign announcement Tuesday night. As this website reported Monday, Bircher, the retired Marine Corps Reserve brigadier general who finished third in the Republican race for Pinellas County’s 13th Congressional District race in January 2014, will hold his first event as a candidate for […]

Devon CrumpackerNovember 5, 2015

Yesterday marked the 340th home dedication for Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County. A three bedroom, two bathroom house on 3rd Avenue N., in St. Petersburg, will now be home to the Engle family: Mary Anne, a local small-business owner who recently earned her U.S. citizenship, and her two teenage sons. Habitat has been operating […]

Mitch PerryNovember 4, 2015

Considering he was at Charlie Crist‘s pitch two weeks ago to run for Congress, it was no surprise Wednesday when the Crist campaign said it now has Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch‘s backing. “Charlie Crist has been standing up for our values his whole life, even when it wasn’t easy,” Welch says in a prepared […]

Mitch PerryOctober 22, 2015

Today could be an interesting day locally and nationally, or it could just another day of unfulfilled hype: The St. Pete City Council gets together once again to decide on proposals that would allow the Tampa Bay Rays to talk to officials in Hillsborough County, a subject we’ve been down more than a few times […]

Tag: Bill Young

Mitch Perry Report for 7.7.16 — Tea Party Patriots heart Marco Rubio

Tim Tebow, others cut from replacement statue list

David Jolly says he intends not to mention Charlie Crist’s name at all in their blockbuster congressional match-up

David Jolly drops Senate bid, will seek re-election to CD 13; Charlie Crist, Dems respond

Todd Wilcox blasts David Jolly on calling for lobbying ban — even though he said it nearly a year ago

Joel Brown steps in as CFO Jeff Atwater’s new press secretary

Charlie Crist goes after Mark Bircher in fundraising note

Habitat for Humanity dedicates 340th Pinellas home

Ken Welch latest Democrat to embrace Charlie Crist’s congressional candidacy

Mitch Perry Report for 10.22.15 – Freedom Caucus hearts Paul Ryan?