Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 8, 2016

The campaign for Tampa businesswoman Rebecca Smith, running as a Republican for the House District 60 seat being vacated by Dana Young, announced on Wednesday that it will report $199,428 collected in the month of May in the coming days. That includes contributions from supporters totaling $33,900, along with a contribution by Smith of $165,528 to […]

Ryan RayJune 1, 2016

Tampa businesswoman Rebecca Smith snagged an endorsement in her race for House District 60 on Wednesday, courtesy of the Florida Architects’ Political Action Committee. “FAPAC is honored to offer its support and endorsement of Rebecca Smith to become the District 60 Representative to the Florida State Legislature,” said Mickey Jacob, an AIA Florida member and past president of the […]

Peter SchorschMay 26, 2016

In a Republican primary in a state House race in Tampa Bay, a handful of endorsements matter more than others. Were incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran to offer an endorsement or one of the region’s Republican U.S. Representatives or state Senators, that would really count for something. The same can be said of an endorsement from former House […]

Mitch PerryMay 18, 2016

House District 60 Republicans Jackie Toledo and Rebecca Smith both have a background in transportation, so it was natural that they be asked to weigh in on the Tampa Bay Express project (TBX), the controversial Florida Department of Transportation billion-dollar project that would add all-express toll lanes on I-275. Speaking at the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee’s monthly meeting on […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 17, 2016

Rebecca Smith can add former Gov. Bob Martinez to her list of backers. Smith announced Tuesday that Martinez and his wife, Mary Jane Martinez, have endorsed the Tampa Republican in her House District 60 campaign. In a joint statement Tuesday, the couple said Smith “has the right experience to represent us in Tallahassee.” “We support […]

Peter SchorschMay 9, 2016

For an entire eight days — EIGHT DAYS — local Democrats had their sh*t together. On April 25, state Rep. Dwight Dudley announces he will not seek re-election. Hours later, the well-liked Ben Diamond announces his candidacy for Dudley’s seat along with the endorsements of almost all of Pinellas’ Democratic elected officials. The seamless transition […]

Mitch PerryMay 6, 2016

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine is on a roll. A day after announcing he intends to challenge Rick Scott and attempt to raise the minimum wage in his city to $13.31 by 2020, he now is airing ads in three California markets extolling his city and that higher wage. The mayor called into my weekly […]

Mitch PerryMay 5, 2016

Democrat David Singer announced Thursday he has raised over $47,000 since declaring his candidacy for the Hillsborough County area House District 60 seat. “I am so proud to have earned the trust and tremendous support from a diverse group of people, including Democrats, Independents and Republicans, young and old, businesses and families,” Singer said in a statement. “Our […]

Peter SchorschApril 14, 2016

Three of the five Senate races in Hillsborough or Pinellas County feature an incumbent running without opposition. In a fourth race – the one for Senate District 18 – Tampa Republican Rep. Dana Young has no challenger yet, although a Democrat is expected to file next week. As of April, SD 19 is the only Bay area seat with […]

Mitch PerryApril 13, 2016

Here’s a news flash: we’re all going to die. Ideally, it’d be after a long life, but we know that it always doesn’t work out like that. Whether through illness or accident, there’s always the potential for today to be our last day. But nothing brings death quicker than a gun. There are gun deaths […]

Tag: David Singer
Image via AP.

HD 60 candidate Rebecca Smith announces raising nearly $200K in May — most of it from herself

State architects group endorses Rebecca Smith in HD 60

Big get: Will Weatherford backs Rebecca Smith in HD 60

Jackie Toledo all in on TBX, while her HD GOP 60 opponent Rebecca Smith isn’t so enthusiastic

Bob Martinez endorses Rebecca Smith in HD 60 race

Here’s where sh*t stands — the ‘Democrats can’t keep it together’ edition

Mitch Perry Report for 5.6.16 – Philip Levine’s big move

HD 60 Democratic candidate David Singer raises over $47K in first month of fundraising

Where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay’s 2016 legislative races

Mitch Perry Report for 4.13.16 — Sean Payton’s lament