Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 7, 2017

Realtor Brandi Gabbard has won a seat on the St. Petersburg City Council, defeating banker Barclay Harless 61 percent to 39 percent. The contest featured two candidates with distinctive backgrounds and policy prescriptions who competed all year long to succeed Jim Kennedy. He served on the board for 10 years, making him the longest-serving current council […]

Phil AmmannNovember 1, 2017

In early voting for Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg municipal elections, more than 104,000 people have now cast a ballot. As of Wednesday morning, Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark posted new early vote and vote-by-mail numbers; of by-mail voting out of 265,039 mail ballots sent, about 39 percent – 103,936 – returned. Adding […]

Mitch PerryOctober 30, 2017

The St. Petersburg municipal elections are officially nonpartisan in law — but certainly not in spirit when it comes to the mayoral and District 6 City Council races this year. That’s not a real issue in the District 2 race, where both Barclay Harless and Brandi Gabbard are Democrats battling each other to represent the Gateway/Gandy […]

Mitch PerryOctober 27, 2017

Barclay Harless is again attacking opponent Brandi Gabbard over ‘outside spending’ by Pinellas County Realtors. Two weeks ago, the St. Petersburg City Council District 2 candidates quarreled at a Tiger Bay Club debate over money the Pinellas County Realtors Association is spending to support Gabbard’s campaign. On Friday, Harless revived that argument after another mailer financed by the Realtors PAC […]

Phil AmmannOctober 21, 2017

In early voting for Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg municipal elections, more than 75,200 people have already voted. On Friday, Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark posted updated vote-by-mail numbers; so far, her office sent 264,468 mail ballots, with a little over 28 percent – 75,288 – returned. By party, 28,174 Democrats, 32,451 Republicans […]

Drew WilsonOctober 20, 2017

According to a new survey released Friday, the three St. Petersburg City Council races on the November ballot aren’t looking all that close. Most have already penciled City Councilwoman Darden Rice, the only incumbent Councilmember on the ballot, as the sure-fire winner in District 4 come Nov. 7. The St. Pete Polls survey supports that, […]

Drew WilsonOctober 16, 2017

Much has been made of the race between incumbent Rick Kriseman and Rick Baker for St. Petersburg mayor, but three St. Pete City Council seats will also be on the ballot when voters head to the polls Nov. 7. Here’s where the six candidates running for those three slots stand as of their most recent […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Alex Sink formally endorsed Barclay Harless last week in his bid for the St. Petersburg City Council, but she had already indicated her support in late September by way of a $500 check to his campaign. Sink’s contribution was part of the $5,355 that Harless raised from Sept. 16-29, the most recent reporting period for the candidates […]

Mitch PerryOctober 13, 2017

A relatively genteel St. Petersburg City Council race between banker Barclay Harless and Realtor Brandi Gabbard broke out into verbal warfare Friday over the issue of political advocacy. The war of words in the District 2 race was over money the Pinellas County Realtors Association is putting behind Gabbard’s campaign. For years, the 41-year-old Gabbard, […]

Mitch PerryJune 22, 2017

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The House Financial Services Committee passed the bipartisan “Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act,” one of five flood insurance related bills the committee advanced Wednesday. Polk County Republican Dennis Ross and Tampa Democrat Kathy Castor are sponsors of the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act, which now goes to the full House for consideration. The lawmakers say […]

Tag: Brandi Gabbard
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Brandi Gabbard defeats Barclay Harless in St. Pete City Council District 2

Over 104K votes now cast ahead of Pinellas County, St. Pete elections

Darden Rice, Ken Welch give to both sides in St. Pete District 2 race

Barclay Harless renews attack over Realtor cash in St. Pete Council race

More than 75K votes cast in Pinellas County, St. Pete elections

Latest survey shows clear leaders in St. Pete City Council races

Hot on the trail: Fundraising notes from the St. Pete municipal races

Alex Sink puts money, support behind Barclay Harless in St. Pete Council race

Brandi Gabbard, Barclay Harless clash over PACs in St. Pete Council race

House Committee unanimously OKs flood insurance bill sponsored by Kathy Castor, Dennis Ross