Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 21, 2016

Last week, I wrote about a possible Rick Baker campaign for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. In response to that post, I received this email Monday from Aonya McCruiston of SKD Knickerbocker, the top-flight public affairs firm working with CD 13 candidate Eric Lynn: “I read your article on a potential Rick Baker candidacy, but you didn’t mention […]

Guest AuthorMarch 21, 2016

Marco Rubio has had a meteoric political career. From winning a seat on the West Miami City Council in the 1990s, to winning a special election by 64 votes to earn a seat in the Florida House, to his stunning victory over Republican Gov. Charlie Crist in the 2010 U.S. Senate race, Rubio’s political career […]

Jac VerSteegMarch 21, 2016

Marco Rubio was convinced the Fratricide Model of politics was his ticket to the top. Now, after one brilliant win and one spectacular loss, the Florida senator claims to have renounced the model. He will not, he says, run for governor in 2018. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam need not fear a Rubio challenge. We […]

Peter SchorschMarch 18, 2016

Charlie Crist is in Rick Baker‘s sights, but when will the former mayor take the shot? That’s the question on many politicos’ minds in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Like Iceman in “Top Gun,” Baker appears to have his target lined up, but just “can’t get the angle.” There’s little doubt in my mind that Baker will eventually run in CD […]

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2016

In a major announcement, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Inc. said Thursday it will stop breeding captive killer whales. On the company’s blog, the company said it’s phasing out over the next three years theatrical performances featuring orcas. “We will introduce new, inspiring, natural orca encounters rather than theatrical shows, as part of our ongoing commitment to education, marine […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2016

With the Florida presidential primary now history, attention and energy will now go to some of the congressional elections upcoming later this summer. Former Governor Charlie Crist is the leading candidate at the moment to win the open CD 13 seat in Pinellas County, and he got a shot in the arm Thursday with no fewer than […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2016

Rick Baker is still thinking about entering the CD 13 race. The former St. Petersburg Mayor said so last Saturday night at the Pinellas County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner in St. Pete. When asked what his timetable was, Baker replied, “It’s gotta be soon.” Conventional wisdom is that the newly configured district is no longer viable for […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2016

Two of the most astute observers (and participants) in Florida politics are Steve Schale and Adam Goodman. In recent years, the Democrat from Jacksonville and Republican from Tampa (or has he moved to St. Petersburg yet?) have sat down before audiences to give their breakdowns on the state of Florida politics, and it’s always a treat for political […]

Mitch PerryMarch 14, 2016

Sean Shaw, who lost a bitterly fought contest to fellow Democrat Ed Narain in the House District 61 race in 2014, said Monday he’ll run again for the seat now that Narain in running for state Senate. “Ed Narain has been a fantastic Representative for our district,” said Shaw in a prepared statement. “I had […]

Jac VerSteegMarch 14, 2016

My Context Florida colleague Martin Dyckman encourages Republicans who want to stop Donald Trump to vote for Marco Rubio in Florida’s winner-take-all primary on March 15. It’s a shame that Dyckman can’t get more help from Rubio himself. While stopping Trump is a noble motivation, it probably isn’t sufficient. Voters judging incumbents – and that’s […]

Tag: Charlie Crist

Should I have included Eric Lynn in my post about a possible Rick Baker candidacy?

Darryl Paulson: The rise and fall of Marco Rubio

Jac VerSteeg: Political fratricide model fails Marco Rubio

When will Rick Baker take the shot?

Mitch Perry Report for 3.17.16 – SeaWorld takes seminal step for animal rights

Five St. Pete City Council endorse Charlie Crist in CD 13 race

Rick Baker expected to announce soon whether he’s in or out in CD 13 contest

5 questions for Adam Goodman and Steve Schale at Wednesday’s Suncoast Tiger Bay meeting

Sean Shaw to run for Tampa House District 61 seat

Jac VerSteeg: What has Marco Rubio done for Florida? Zip