Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 7, 2017

David Jolly fully intends to appear on “Real Time with Bill Maher” Friday night, as do previously scheduled guests Ice Cube and Symone Sanders, the former national press secretary for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. This despite the controversy circling around the comedian, who used the N-word during his show last Friday night, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for HBO to oust […]

Mitch PerryMay 18, 2017

Sarasota Republican Vern Buchanan‘s legislation to toughen penalties against cop killers has passed the House. The “Thin Blue Line Act” would make the murder or attempted murder of a police officer, firefighter or other first responders an “aggravating” factor in death penalty determinations. The bill, approved by the House in a 271-143 vote, now goes […]

Mitch PerryApril 5, 2017

Charlie Crist is reporting more than $717,000 raised in the first quarter of 2017, a record-breaking amount for any freshman lawmaker during the first months in office. “I’m humbled by this historic outpouring of early support and honored that so many people are rallying behind the people of Pinellas County,” Crist said in a statement. “This is a part […]

Peter SchorschMarch 21, 2017

Besides, maybe, New York City or Washington, D.C., there really is no better place from which to write about politics than Tampa Bay. One reason is that there are so many competitive congressional and legislative seats in the region. And what’s spent to win those seats is oftentimes as much as the amount spent to […]

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2017

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Jacob Smith will serve as campaign manager for St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman’s re-election campaign. Smith worked in Democratic politics going back to his freshman year at the University of Florida in 2008 when he volunteered for Barack Obama‘s effort in Florida. He also worked on Obama’s 2012 campaign in Southwest Florida. His most recent job was […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2017

Because polling in 2016 showed less than half of all Floridians want to legalize marijuana outright, Ray Rodrigues believes he is doing the right thing by pushing regulations that ban people from smoking cannabis or using edible pot. “Here’s what we know,” the Fort Myers House Republican told former Congressman David Jolly on AM 820 WWBA Thursday […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

Sarasota GOP Chair and state Rep. Joe Gruters said he is a “long-shot” to be Gov. Rick Scott‘s choice to succeed Jeff Atwater as Chief Financial Officer once Atwater leaves the office in May. On Wednesday afternoon, Gruters appeared on Tampa Bay area radio station News Talk 820 WWBA with guest host David Jolly, who formerly represented Florida’s 13th Congressional District.Gruters had shown loyalty to Scott […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 25, 2017

It was supposed to be a simple community meeting. However, Charlie Crist wound up addressing a controversial personnel decision inside his office, which added a bit of drama to the proceedings. Appearing at a community forum in St. Petersburg’s Midtown area Saturday morning, Crist’s visit was advertised as a discussion about the Affordable Care Act, […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 20, 2017

I apologize in advance for being so juvenile … Last week, I camped out at Kahwa Coffee on Second Avenue South. I had just dropped off Ella at school and I wanted to get back to work right away. So I returned to the bustling coffee shop that once served as my “office” when Michelle and I lived downtown. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 14, 2017

David Jolly is in New York this week, making the rounds at the cable news networks as one Republican not afraid to criticize Donald Trump. On his latest appearance on MSNBC’s The Last Word (with guest host Joy Reid), the former (and possibly future?) congressman from Florida’s 13th District called Trump’s first month in office “his JV moment,” specifically […]

Tag: David Jolly

David Jolly still appearing on Bill Maher’s show Friday; says Al Franken should too

Vern Buchanan’s ‘Thin Blue Line’ Act passes House, toughens penalty on cop killers

Charlie Crist finds footing in Congress, raises record $717K in 1st quarter

Here’s where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay politics — the ‘this place is the best’ edition

Rick Kriseman taps Jacob Smith to lead re-election campaign

Ray Rodrigues stance on medical marijuana angers Amendment 2 advocates

Joe Gruters says he’s a long shot for CFO position, but appreciates the mention

At neighborhood meeting, Charlie Crist dismisses question about personnel shake-up

What Adam Smith will be writing about next …

On MSNBC, David Jolly wonders how serious Donald Trump is taking the presidency