Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryAugust 31, 2016

Good morning, everyone. Florida’s primary election is history. So, where to begin? Patrick Murphy will face Marco Rubio in November. Murphy crushed Alan Grayson, 59 to 18 percent, with Pam Keith a close third at 15 percent. Rubio gets credit for honesty, saying that he can’t say for sure that he’ll fulfill all six years of his term if elected, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

The war of words between David Jolly and Charlie Crist has already started, with Jolly accusing his Democratic opponent of lying about his support for Donald Trump. David Jolly defeated Mark Bircher in the Republican race for Pinellas County’s 13th Congressional District earlier in the evening, and now looks forward to what could be one of the most interesting […]

Associated PressAugust 30, 2016

The Miami-area congressional seat held by Republican Carlos Curbelo is one of the nation’s most competitive – it’s pingponged between the GOP and the Democrats the last three elections. Now Joe Garcia, who held the seat from 2013 to 2015, and Annette Taddeo, who unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor in 2014, are running a tight […]

Tamara LushAugust 30, 2016

He’s been Florida’s Republican governor, was considered a potential vice presidential candidate and almost became a U.S. Senator. But Charlie Crist is aiming a bit lower for his political comeback in 2016, running for the U.S. House after switching his party to Democrat. The always smiling, always suntanned Crist is running against U.S. Rep. David […]

Associated PressAugust 30, 2016

Recent redistricting makes the U.S. House seat from the eastern part of Florida’s Panhandle one of the few nationally that are likely to flip from Democrat to Republican this year. Democratic incumbent Gwen Graham cited the redrawn 2nd Congressional District’s heavy Republican presence in saying she won’t seek a second term. A physician, a former […]

Michael MolineAugust 29, 2016

Mary Thomas has secured another conservative woman’s backing in her bid for the Republican nomination in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. The endorsement came from U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican associated with the tea party movement. “The U.S. House needs more conservative women, more moms, and more energized Christians like Mary,” Blackburn said. “I know firsthand […]

Peter SchorschAugust 25, 2016

Former Gov. Charlie Crist heard many messages from Pinellas educators during a roundtable discussion Thursday. But one message stood out: There’s a “disconnect” between schools, upper-level administrators and policymakers. Policymakers and administrators have created a rigid, one-size-fits-all system that prevents teachers and schools from being flexible enough to meet the needs of individual students and […]

Bob SparksAugust 24, 2016

Whether or not one is following the GOP primary for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, it is getting a lot of attention both inside and outside of the Panhandle. The winner will succeed Democrat Gwen Graham, who chose not to seek re-election in a Florida Supreme Court-inspired redrawn district. Attorney Mary Thomas is under assault in […]

Michael MolineAugust 24, 2016

A lawyer acting on behalf of Republican congressional candidate Mary Thomas is demanding Florida broadcasters pull ads labeling her “a Charlie Crist appointee.” But the political committee behind the spots appears uncowed. A spokesman for the ESAFund confirmed that, as of Tuesday evening, all ad buys were still in place. Craig Engle, a partner in the Arent Fox law […]

Anne LindbergAugust 23, 2016

U.S. Rep. David Jolly and former Gov. Charlie Crist don’t agree on much. But Tuesday they agreed Congress’ failure to provide funding to combat the Zika virus is unconscionable. They were reacting to news released by Gov. Rick Scott that the Department of Health had confirmed a non-travel-related case of Zika in Pinellas County. Crist, a […]

Tag: Charlie Crist

Mitch Perry Report for 8.31.16 — Moving on to November

David Jolly wins CD 13, will face Charlie Crist in November – war of words has already begun

Ex-Miami Congressman Joe Garcia hopes to make comeback

Charlie Crist aims low for political comeback, running for U.S. House

U.S. House district in Florida Panhandle likely to flip to GOP

Tea Party enthusiast Marsha Blackburn endorses Mary Thomas in Florida’s CD 2

Pinellas schools need greater flexibility to meet needs of students, Charlie Crist says

Being a Charlie Crist appointee will not determine the fate of Mary Thomas

Lawyers for Mary Thomas attempt to get ad yanked, but spot linking her to Charlie Crist still running

As Zika comes to Pinellas, Charlie Crist and David Jolly condemn congressional failure to deal with disease