Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 10, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Realtors rolled out endorsements Monday for nearly every state legislative election slated for the 2018 ballot. “As Realtors, we pride ourselves on our long-standing efforts to defend private property rights, promote community prosperity and preserve a professional climate that ensures the economic growth of Florida,” said Ann DeFries, chair […]

Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018

As any observer of Florida politics will tell you, this 34-year-old Palm Harbor Republican is on the move. First elected to House District 65 over Democratic incumbent Carl Zimmerman in 2014, Chris Sprowls had little difficulty getting re-elected in 2016 against Democrat Bernie Fensterwald. At this point, 2018 appears to be shaping up the same way. Sprowls currently serves as […]

Drew WilsonJune 6, 2018

Americans for Prosperity-Florida on Wednesday released its scorecards grading Florida lawmakers on their votes during the 2018 Legislative Session. AFP-FL examined more than 6,000 individual votes on 66 different issues in crafting its “Economic Freedom Scorecard.” Each bill where AFP kept score relates to one of the tentpoles of the group’s “Five for Florida” plan, […]

Staff ReportsJune 5, 2018

The wait is almost over. We’re finalizing our sixth annual ranking of Tampa Bay’s most powerful politicians. It will be published next Monday. As has been the case in years prior, the results are rooted in the opinions of leading political consultants, activists, bloggers, operatives and local lobbyists around the Bay area who reached out […]

Drew WilsonMay 31, 2018

Palm Harbor Democrat Alex Toth announced Thursday that he’s bowing out of the race for northern Pinellas-based House District 65, currently held by second-term Republican Rep. Chris Sprowls. Toth filed for HD 65 in February, but his campaign never truly got off the ground. His exit comes a couple days after fellow Palm Harbor Democrat Sally […]

Drew WilsonMay 29, 2018

Republican Rep. Chris Sprowls has drawn a second Democratic challenger in his bid for a third term representing House District 65. Sally Laufer of Palm Harbor filed for the seat on Friday. She joins Alex Stephen Toth, also of Palm Harbor, in the Democratic Primary for the Pinellas-based district. Laufer doesn’t have a lot of […]

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

Now that Palm Coast Republican Rep. Paul Renner has hit his signature requirements, all three lawmakers in line to be House Speaker have qualified for the ballot by petition. Petition requirements are pegged to 1 percent of the registered voters within a district, and in Renner’s case he needed 1,282 valid signatures to make the […]

Peter SchorschMay 20, 2018

Hundreds of people – including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Congressman Charlie Crist – held hands on Florida beaches Saturday in protest of proposed nearshore oil drilling. “Hands Across the Sand” was held in Pinellas County, one of nearly 120 events taking place on beaches nationwide. The annual protest first started during the Deepwater Horizon […]

Peter SchorschMay 17, 2018

Money talks, and for candidates just a few months away from the primary and general elections, it can speak volumes. This edition brings you up to speed on state House candidate money chases in the Bay area. It’s early yet, but monthly fundraising hauls — and spends — provide valuable insights into how things might […]

Phil AmmannMay 15, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Alexa Chappell is no longer staff director for the House Democratic Leader’s office. Off: Bo Pittman is no longer program manager for the House Property Management Division. Off: Whitney Langston is no longer an attorney for the House Health […]

Tag: Chris Sprowls
Image via AP.

Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races

#1 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Chris Sprowls

AFP Florida releases 2018 lawmaker scorecard

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 6.5.18

Chris Sprowls challenger ends longshot campaign

Chris Sprowls picks up another challenger in HD 65

Next three House Speakers make 2018 ballot by petition

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 5.20.18

Ninja Bow — Tampa Bay campaign finance roundup — April 2018

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round