Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 2, 2017

If St. Petersburg gets legally challenged next year when its recently passed campaign finance law goes into effect, the city will have big-time representation (at no cost) for a case some predict could go all the way to the Supreme Court. David Boies and his firm Boies Schiller Flexner, LLP has agreed to represent St. Pete pro bono. […]

Phil AmmannNovember 1, 2017

In early voting for Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg municipal elections, more than 104,000 people have now cast a ballot. As of Wednesday morning, Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark posted new early vote and vote-by-mail numbers; of by-mail voting out of 265,039 mail ballots sent, about 39 percent – 103,936 – returned. Adding […]

Mitch PerryOctober 30, 2017

The St. Petersburg municipal elections are officially nonpartisan in law — but certainly not in spirit when it comes to the mayoral and District 6 City Council races this year. That’s not a real issue in the District 2 race, where both Barclay Harless and Brandi Gabbard are Democrats battling each other to represent the Gateway/Gandy […]

Phil AmmannOctober 21, 2017

In early voting for Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg municipal elections, more than 75,200 people have already voted. On Friday, Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark posted updated vote-by-mail numbers; so far, her office sent 264,468 mail ballots, with a little over 28 percent – 75,288 – returned. By party, 28,174 Democrats, 32,451 Republicans […]

Drew WilsonOctober 20, 2017

According to a new survey released Friday, the three St. Petersburg City Council races on the November ballot aren’t looking all that close. Most have already penciled City Councilwoman Darden Rice, the only incumbent Councilmember on the ballot, as the sure-fire winner in District 4 come Nov. 7. The St. Pete Polls survey supports that, […]

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. […]

Drew WilsonOctober 16, 2017

Much has been made of the race between incumbent Rick Kriseman and Rick Baker for St. Petersburg mayor, but three St. Pete City Council seats will also be on the ballot when voters head to the polls Nov. 7. Here’s where the six candidates running for those three slots stand as of their most recent […]

Mitch PerryOctober 12, 2017

When Darden Rice proposed earlier this year that the city hire four full-time legislative aides to assist the eight-member St. Petersburg City Council conduct policy research and reform constituent services, she thought it would be relatively non-controversial. “I couldn’t imagine anyone making this a campaign issue,” said Rice, who serves as the board’s chair. “Frankly, it’s […]

Mitch PerryOctober 11, 2017

St. Petersburg City Council hopeful Gina Driscoll doesn’t think much of the service offered by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) to those needing transportation in the ‘Burg. “We need to look at the bus system that we already have because it’s broken, it doesn’t work for most of the people who have to use it,” […]

Peter SchorschOctober 10, 2017

Mail ballots have started to hit the streets in St. Pete cend incumbent Mayor Rick Kriseman has started to pound the pavement again ahead of the second round of his re-election battle against former two-term Mayor Rick Baker. Kriseman and his wife, Kerry, joined their corps of volunteers and staffers kicking off their get-out-the-vote efforts […]

Tag: Darden Rice
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

David Boies offers pro bono defense of St. Pete campaign finance ordinance

Over 104K votes now cast ahead of Pinellas County, St. Pete elections

Darden Rice, Ken Welch give to both sides in St. Pete District 2 race

More than 75K votes cast in Pinellas County, St. Pete elections

Latest survey shows clear leaders in St. Pete City Council races

Justin Bean wins backing from firefighters union

Hot on the trail: Fundraising notes from the St. Pete municipal races

St. Pete Council candidates agree it’s a full time job, hesitates on pay raises

Gina Driscoll blasts ‘unacceptable’ St. Pete transit service

Rick Kriseman pounds the pavement as ballots hit the streets