Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 27, 2017

As solar energy expands as Florida’s next big growth industry, with it comes a host of unforeseen consequences. While promises of reduced energy costs for consumers and the lure of “no credit needed,” county-approved loans are indeed attractive, easy financing and lower energy costs could be masking other, potentially devastating, economic problems. A letter last […]

Anne LindbergDecember 2, 2016

Responding to a request from Charlie Justice, the Pinellas Legislative Delegation will consider changing the way members of the Construction Licensing Board are chosen. State Sen. Jack Latvala, the delegation chair, called on state Rep. Larry Ahern to come up with a plan by the delegation’s Jan. 31 meeting. State Sen. Jeff Brandes said he […]

Bob SparksNovember 9, 2016

With so many high-profile races going on in Florida, other contests were on the ballot, but under the radar. Florida Politics pointed out 10 of those down-ballot races to watch with backgrounds on each. While not as momentous as Donald Trump winning Florida, these races were interesting in their own right. Miami-Dade County Mayor Republican Mayor Carlos Gimenez went from a […]

Anne LindbergNovember 8, 2016

Democrat Charlie Justice faced down a challenge from first-time candidate Mike Mikurak to win a second term on the Pinellas County Commission. Justice took the lead early in the evening with about 53. 5 percent of the vote and never looked back. Voters were treated to two distinctly different styles in the race for the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 8, 2016

Presidential races get all the attention, but it’s the folks down ballot that make the real decisions. In the Sunshine State, there’s no shortage of high intensity — and sometimes high drama — battles for office. And we aren’t talking about the races for state House and Senate. There have been allegations of election fraud in a […]

Peter SchorschOctober 23, 2016

Back before there was a FloridaPolitics.com and it was just me blogging at SaintPetersBlog.com, I would write a semi-regular screed about the Tampa Bay Times’ political coverage. This was so long ago, the Times still had St. Petersburg in its masthead. I gave up the “5 things I think I think…” column after a while […]

Anne LindbergOctober 19, 2016

When candidates run for local nonpartisan offices — mayor, council member, or commissioner — they’re supposed to keep party politics out of the conversation. And, for the most part, that’s the way it is. But in some races this year, partisan money is helping finance local candidates. Take the City of Largo, for example, where […]

Anne LindbergOctober 19, 2016

State Sen. Jack Latvala has called for a follow-up workshop meeting of the Pinellas legislative delegation to hear and discuss the effects of the recent discharge of untreated sewage into Tampa Bay waters by cities in Pinellas County during Hurricane Hermine. The meeting will be Nov. 16, from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Johns Hopkins All Children’s […]

Peter SchorschOctober 11, 2016

‘Tis the season. It’s that most wonderful time of the year when candidates running in this fall’s elections make the rounds at candidate forums, hob nobs, and Tiger Bay debates. It’s at these events that candidates distinguish themselves from their opponents with a quick retort — or a regrettable gaffe. Tuesday, the St. Petersburg Chamber […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 23, 2016

Clearwater’s Chamber of Commerce announced endorsements in several local races, and a virtual tie between two equally qualified candidates for a Pinellas County Commission seat. In a statement Friday, CLEARPAC, the committee for the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber’s board of directors, made recommendations based on “the importance of Election Day to […]

Tag: Charlie Justice

‘Property assessed’ financing for solar panels reveal serious problems for Realtors, lenders

Pinellas Legislative Delegation to consider changes to construction licensing board

Down-ballot races throughout Florida provided some interesting results as well

Charlie Justice wins second term on Pinellas County Commission

More than just the presidency: 10 down ballot races in Florida to watch on Election Day

5 things I think I think about today’s Tampa Bay Times

Party, PAC money seeps into nonpartisan municipal races

Jack Latvala calls for delegation to meet again to discuss Pinellas sewer woes

6 reasons I’m looking forward to Tuesday’s ‘Popcorn & Politics’ event

Clearwater Chamber announces local endorsements; virtual tie between Charlie Justice, Mike Mikurak