Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Joe HendersonFebruary 13, 2017

One of Charlie Crist’s best traits is his likability. He can be a candle-in-the-wind on issues, depending on his audience. Changing parties infuriated Republicans and made Democrats skeptical. And once he gets a job, he tends to get wandering eyes for his next gig. But damn, he is a really nice guy. Despite his baggage, […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 8, 2017

National Republicans, in an effort to boost their majority for the midterms, are targeting top House Democrats over the next two years – including Florida’s Charlie Crist and Stephanie Murphy. POLITICO first reported on the list of 36 lawmakers coming from the National Republican Congressional Committee, with a particular focus on “blue-collar parts of the […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 31, 2017

Even though there are more than 20 months before Election Day 2018, a week does not go by without a mention — or several — in the media about a possible rematch between Charlie Crist and David Jolly in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. In a new StPetePolls survey of CD 13 voters, Crist would edge […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 24, 2017

Despite a decision to now work for former Republican Congressman David Jolly, Vito Sheeley says he remains a Democrat. In one of the more recent (and enigmatic) personnel developments in Tampa Bay area politics, Sheeley announced Monday he was leaving the office of Charlie Crist, to work for Jolly as a senior adviser. Crist defeated Jolly in Pinellas County’s 13th Congressional District race last fall. […]

Tag: David Jolly
Image via Governor's Rumble

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

Charlie Crist may be likable, but how soon before he eyes a new gig?

Charlie Crist, Stephanie Murphy among top GOP targets for 2018

Poll shows Charlie Crist would beat David Jolly if a rematch is in the cards

After leaving Charlie Crist for David Jolly, Vito Sheeley says “I’m still a Democrat”