Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJune 4, 2016

At first glance, the invitation to the June 17 fundraiser for David Jolly‘s U.S. Senate campaign doesn’t look much different than so many previous ones. However, upon closer examination of who exactly is on the host committee, the invitation is noteworthy to those who follow Pinellas County politics. Jack Latvala. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and his wife, Lauralee Westine. Rep. Chris Latvala. […]

Anne LindbergApril 30, 2016

Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch took a field trip Friday to the cemetery pond where three teenage girls drowned in a stolen car. The drowning happened about 3:50 a.m. March 31. The girls, who were being followed by Pinellas sheriff’s deputies, turned into Royal Palm North Cemetery, 2600 Gandy Blvd. and drove into a pond. […]

Anne LindbergApril 29, 2016

A small group of activists gathered at the Pinellas County Courthouse Friday afternoon to protest the deaths of three black teenage girls who drowned last month in a stolen car. The mixed-race group shouted slogans that included “Jail the killer cops!” and demanded reparations for the girls and other African-American teens that, they said, died […]

Mitch PerryApril 20, 2016

It was on May 8, 2008, after the returns from Democratic primary results from North Carolina and Indiana had come in, when the late Tim Russert told viewers that the intense battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton was over. “We now know who the Democratic nominee’s going to be, and no one’s going to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 25, 2016

An amended bill that would reshape the way civil forfeiture works in Florida passed the House Judiciary Committee Thursday. Under current law, law enforcement can seize a person’s property, including cash, if they suspect it is being used to commit a crime or is the proceed from crime. Under that scenario, no charges have to […]

Mitch PerryDecember 15, 2015

After the third GOP presidential debate in late October, I wrote in this space after Marco Rubio received plaudits for his effort if it would translate into votes. A couple of weeks later, after the fourth debate in Milwaukee, the conventional wisdom from pundits was that it was time that Rubio and Ted Cruz were […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2015

The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) issued a statement on Monday giving their full support to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who has been under a firestorm of criticism in recent days for comments he was quoted as saying last week regarding the open carry legislation being debated in the Florida Legislature. Gualtieri and the FSA […]

Mitch PerryNovember 18, 2015

The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee in the Florida Legislature on Wednesday barely passed a controversial bill that would allow people with a concealed weapons and firearms license to carry a gun openly. House Bill 163 is being sponsored in the House by Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz. It passed with Pinellas County Republicans Chris […]

Mitch PerryApril 15, 2015

Although David Jolly has now publicly stated that he won’t make an official decision about leaving his congressional seat to run for the U.S. Senate until the Fourth of July holiday, you can bet he and his advisers are weighing the pros and cons of such a decision right now. One of his calculations simply has to […]

Mitch PerryApril 13, 2015

Greetings this Monday morning from the Parkway Inn Motel in Miami Springs, right off of Miami International Airport. And when I mean “right off,” I mean I thought a 747 was going to land on my roof last night. Yes, I’m here today for Marco Rubio‘s big announcement Monday evening, where he’s expected to announce […]

Tag: Bob Gualtieri

Pinellas fundraising event for David Jolly shows how time heals all wounds

Ken Welch: Sheriff not at fault for drowning deaths of 3 teen girls

Activists protest ‘police murder’ at Pinellas Courthouse over death of 3 teen girls

Mitch Perry Report for 4.20.16 — Bernie’s chances may have just faded away, but how does Clinton handle him going forward?

Lawmakers reach agreement with law enforcement groups over civil forfeiture bill

Mitch Perry Report for 12.15.15 – Vegas, baby, Vegas!

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri’s out-of-context quotes lead to misinterpretation, harsh responses

Open carry weapons bill advances in House

How CD 13 race might shake out if David Jolly runs for U.S. Senate

Mitch Perry Report for 4.13.15 — Could Jeff Atwater’s decision affect next year’s CD13 race?