Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 9, 2019

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Scott Orsini is launching a bid for St. Pete City Council, the first to file for the seat currently held by Council Chair Charlie Gerdes. “I’m running for City Council because I want to serve my community and make St. Pete an even better city,” the St. Petersburg lawyer said in an announcement Wednesday. Gerdes is term-limited […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 11, 2018

In a major upset, Pinellas County Democratic Party Chair Susan McGrath lost to former chef Barbara Scott during a party meeting Monday night. Scott won with nearly two-thirds 0f the vote. McGrath’s publicly facing campaign to hold onto her chairmanship seemed to be going well. She was rolling in endorsements from elected Democrats in Pinellas County […]

Drew WilsonMarch 7, 2018

Democrat Jennifer Webb announced Wednesday that a handful of local elected officials had endorsed her campaign for House District 69. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman headlined the block endorsement, which also included Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard, and St. Petersburg City Councilmembers Charlie Gerdes and Brandi Gabbard. “Jennifer has fought for our community and knows […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2018

After they were sworn into office Tuesday morning, there were several allusions on the dais to the fact that with Brandi Gabbard‘s and Gina Driscoll‘s victories in their respective St. Petersburg City Council races last fall, the eight-member Council is now dominantly female. Gabbard easily defeated Barclay Harless in November for the northern St. Pete District 2 […]

Mitch PerryOctober 17, 2017

Add a firefighters union to the list of those endorsing Justin Bean in the St. Petersburg City Council District 6 race. On Friday, the 30-year-old businessman received the backing of the St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters Local 747. “We feel Justin Bean best understands the current and future needs of the Firefighters and Paramedics of St. […]

Mitch PerryOctober 9, 2017

Justin Bean is finished talking about his past. Less than one day after opponent Gina Driscoll called on the 30-year-old businessman to apologize to St. Petersburg voters and release his full criminal record, the St. Pete City Council District 6 candidate blasted her for focusing excessively on his background and not the issues facing the city. “I […]

Phil AmmannApril 25, 2017

Tampa International Airport’s chief executive officer welcomed the possibility of an audit as suggested by state Sen. Tom Lee last week. “We get audited all the time,” Joe Lopano said last week at a meeting of the St. Petersburg City Council. The Tampa Bay Business Journal reported Lopano was on hand to present the $543 […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 26, 2017

Rick Kriseman says he ran for Mayor four years ago because he felt that the big issues in St. Petersburg weren’t being addressed. Kicking off his re-election campaign Wednesday night, he said, “It’s so important to keep our foot on the gas pedal.” “This is a time that’s really important for the city of St. Petersburg,” Kriseman told a […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 8, 2015

Mayor Rick Kriseman’s tweet Monday night “banning” Donald Trump from St. Pete has drawn national attention. It’s been reported by local news outlets across the state and country and even CNN. The tweet has been “liked” and shared thousands of times. The Tampa Bay Times documented reaction to Kriseman’s anti-Trump tweet as the city’s latest […]

Mitch PerryNovember 18, 2015

Although the conventional wisdom has it that Charlie Crist is the front-runner to capture the Democratic nomination for Congress in the CD 13 next year, Eric Lynn continues to garner endorsements from local Pinellas County Democrats. Among those backing Lynn’s candidacy in a statement issued out by his campaign on Wednesday is St. Petersburg City […]

Tag: Charlie Gerdes
Lawsikia Hodges is joining the law firm of Smith, Gambrell & Russell. Photo via Smith, Gambrell & Russell

Game on: Scott Orsini files first for Charlie Gerdes St. Pete Council seat

Former chef Barbara Scott takes out Susan McGrath as top Pinellas Democrat

Jennifer Webb adds endorsements for HD 69 campaign

Gina Driscoll, Brandi Gabbard become newest St. Pete City Council members

Justin Bean wins backing from firefighters union

Justin Bean says opponent Gina Driscoll should stick to the issues

‘Join the club’ — Tampa Airport CEO welcomes Tom Lee’s proposed audit

In campaign kickoff speech, Rick Kriseman aims to take St. Petersburg to next level

St. Pete City Council members react to Rick Kriseman’s Donald Trump “ban”

More Pinellas County officials endorse Eric Lynn’s congressional candidacy