Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

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 […]

Drew WilsonMay 9, 2018

Karen Skyers showed nearly $33,000 in contributions in her inaugural campaign finance report, putting her in the driver’s seat in the crowded Democratic Primary to replace Tampa Rep. Sean Shaw, who is leaving the House to run for Attorney General. Skyers brought in 174 contributions in April, with the vast majority coming in from small-dollar […]

Drew WilsonApril 3, 2018

Former public defender and lobbyist Karen Skyers announced via Twitter Tuesday that she is entering the race for Hillsborough-based House District 61. Skyers, a Democrat, joins Sharon Carter, Norman Harris, Dianne Hart and Byron Henry in the primary race. HD 61 is opening up in the fall due to Tampa Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw foregoing […]

Mitch PerryMarch 7, 2018

As an instructor at Tampa’s Armwood High School since 2015, Sharon Carter believes she is indeed qualified to assess the idea of arming schoolteachers. And Carter, the newest candidate for House District 61, thinks it’s a lousy idea. “No. Not at all,” Carter said succinctly, adding that she also thinks that while assault military style weapons are […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 17, 2018

Democrat Dianne Hart announced Wednesday that she will give it another go in House District 61, which is opening up this year due to Tampa Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw’s entry into the Attorney General race. “I know firsthand the struggles and the needs facing this District and spent a lifetime working to help our children […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 16, 2018

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Democratic state Rep. Sean Shaw has made it official: he’s running for Attorney General this year, promising if elected to operate differently from term-limited Pam Bondi. “The people of our state should be able to count on their Attorney General to protect them and to always enforce the rule of law, not have someone more concerned with […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2017

Updated State Rep. Sean Shaw is blasting four Hillsborough County Commissioners who supported keeping a Confederate monument in Tampa, vowing a “personal mission” to actively campaign against one or more of them in 2018. At the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee meeting last week, the Tampa Democrat, who represents House District 61, promised to take time […]

Mitch PerryJune 20, 2017

Being part of a legislative caucus with little political power has been the plight of Democrats elected to the Florida House for going on two decades, but state Representative Sean Shaw told a town hall audience of about 40 people Monday night that it’s their job to hold him accountable in Tallahassee, regardless of his […]

Tag: Dianne Hart
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

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

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

Ninja Bow — Tampa Bay campaign finance roundup — April 2018

Karen Skyers’ first finance report puts her atop HD 61 field

Karen Skyers enters race to succeed Sean Shaw in HD 61

Educator Sharon Carter enters House District 61 race

Dianne Hart already emerging as frontrunner to replace Sean Shaw in HD 61

Sean Shaw enters AG race, promises contrast to Pam Bondi

Dianne Hart still considering taking on Sean Shaw in 2018

Sean Shaw to town hall audience: ‘Hold me accountable’