Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jac VerSteegDecember 30, 2015

At last, we will have a put up or shut up year. In 2016, people will have to act instead of speculate or opine, and we are going to have some answers, finally. In 2016, we’re going to find out who schlongs who. We will find out whether the rise of The Donald is the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 30, 2015

It’s been a long contentious year in Tampa Bay, from Pinellas County’s “Failure Factories” and Beth Leytham in Tampa City Hall to the evolving political landscape that has drawn Charlie Crist for another bid for elected office. Good or bad, 2015 offered a little something for everyone (to cheer or argue about). Now that the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 30, 2015

As first said by Greek philosopher Heraclitus, in the universe change is the only constant. Nowhere was that more applicable than in Tampa Bay during the past 12 months. From the much-ballyhooed dismissal of MaryEllen Elia as Hillsborough County School Board District superintendent to redistricting and the rising (and falling) fortunes for hizzoner Bob Buckhorn, many of the leading […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 27, 2015

U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo received an unexpected Christmas gift this year, thanks to one of his daughter’s Christmas presents. Curbelo fell off a hoverboard purchased for his daughter. And, according to his Twitter page, the fall landed him in the hospital and his arm in a sling. “Confirmed — #hoverboard is for kids. My daughter got it. I […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2015

With all the Republican candidates gathering at the Venetian in Las Vegas for the last GOP presidential debate in 2015, the question I ask you today is – will the Republican nominee be anyone other than Donald Trump or Ted Cruz? Trump was his classic self last night, but finally had somebody take it to […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschDecember 11, 2015

Republican Mary Thomas, running for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, would be happy to have supporters think her state government career began with the election of Gov. Rick Scott. It doesn’t. The North Florida attorney is working hard to promote her staunch conservative credentials as she seeks to unseat Democrat Gwen Graham. Campaign materials are quick to point out her service in […]

Guest AuthorDecember 7, 2015

I’ve been a member of the Florida Democratic Party since I first registered to vote at 18. I’ve never voted for, nor given money to, a Republican running for a partisan office. “Hyperpartisan” is an apt description of my political state of mind. But the other day, I contributed $1,000 – the maximum I could […]

Guest AuthorDecember 7, 2015

I’ve been a member of the Florida Democratic Party since I first registered to vote at 18. I’ve never voted for, nor given money to, a Republican running for a partisan office. “Hyperpartisan” is an apt description of my political state of mind. But the other day, I contributed $1,000 – the maximum I could […]

Mitch PerryDecember 3, 2015

While the news is all about the latest gun shooting in San Bernardino on Wednesday, let’s focus here on another death that’s been in the news a lot in the past couple of weeks: that being of Laquan McDonald, the black teenager killed by a white Chicago police officer a year ago. In between her […]

Tag: Charlie Crist

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: 2016 to be a put up or shut up year

Mitch Perry’s 5 people to watch in Tampa Bay politics in 2016

Mitch Perry’s Top 10 stories of 2015 in Hillsborough politics

No Marty McFly: Carlos Curbelo hurts himself in hoverboard accident

Mitch Perry Report for 12.16.15 — Fear and loathing in Las Vegas

Charlie Crist goes after Mark Bircher in fundraising note

Mary Thomas leans hard on “conservative” label while omitting ties to Charlie Crist

Ben Pollara: Why I support Jeff Brandes for Florida Senate

Ben Pollara: Why I support Jeff Brandes for Florida Senate

Mitch Perry Report for 12.3.15 – Rahm Emanuel and Chicago are stuck with each other