Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 24, 2017

Members of Tampa’s political, business, media and activist communities weighed in Wednesday on the surprising news that Tampa will host the Super Bowl in February 2021. The announcement was unexpected, particularly after the NFL snubbed a local bid last year to host the big game in either 2019, 2020 and 2021. But major rainstorms in Southern […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 27, 2017

Tampa Democrat Sean Shaw has submitted his first appropriations request for the 2017 Legislative Session. The freshman lawmaker is requesting $1 million for rehabbing the historic Cuban Club in Ybor City. According to the budget request, the facility has damaged structural support columns, beams and floor slabs on all four floors that would be removed and replaced in order to achieve the structural stability of […]

Mitch PerryAugust 31, 2016

Good morning, everyone. Florida’s primary election is history. So, where to begin? Patrick Murphy will face Marco Rubio in November. Murphy crushed Alan Grayson, 59 to 18 percent, with Pam Keith a close third at 15 percent. Rubio gets credit for honesty, saying that he can’t say for sure that he’ll fulfill all six years of his term if elected, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

Sean Shaw will be returning to Tallahassee next year, representing Hillsborough County’s House District 61, which encompasses Ybor City, Tampa Heights, Seminole Heights, and East Tampa. In an incredibly tight race, the Tampa attorney defeated East Tampa activist and businesswoman Dianne Hart, getting 42.71 percent of the vote to Hart’s 41.92 percent. Shaw received 6,696 votes to Hart’s […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

Primary Election Day is here, finally, for those of us who care. Because that isn’t close to the majority of registered voters in Florida. Going into today, the turnout by percentage via early and absentee voting here in Hillsborough County where I’m located was lower than it turned out to be in 2012, which Congresswoman Kathy Castor […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 15, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is going digital. The statewide business advocacy group is poised to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on digital advertising targeting likely primary voters in key legislative races. The campaign, according to a memo obtained by FloridaPolitics.com, will feature 15-second biographical spots on mobile devices and social media, and will […]

Mitch PerryAugust 8, 2016

The Democratic Progressive Caucus released a slate of endorsements Monday, including Tampa attorney Sean Shaw in the race to represent District 61 in the state House. “We’ve been working for months to spread my progressive message and share my plan to make sure Tallahassee is working for everyone,” Shaw said. “That means raising the minimum wage, expanding […]

Mitch PerryAugust 5, 2016

The three candidates running to succeed Ed Narain in the Tampa-based Florida House District 61 seat debated at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club on Friday. While the discourse was amiable, the emphasis on what is needed to improve the economic conditions in East Tampa were expressed with urgency. Small businesswoman and East Tampa activist Dianne Hart has been on a […]

Peter SchorschAugust 1, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce last week rolled out a second round of endorsements in legislative races across the state. There are more than 400 candidates who have qualified to run for the 160 seats in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. With this latest round of endorsements, the Chamber is now backing 110 candidates […]

Mitch PerryJuly 22, 2016

East Tampa activist Michelle Patty is upset about a campaign mailer she says infers she’s supporting a candidate that she’s not in the House District 61 race. On the backside of a just-issued mailer paid for by the Florida Retail Federation PAC, Patty is seen standing next to East Tampa businesswoman and activist Dianne Hart, who is running […]

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

For many, Tampa’s 2021 Super Bowl is unexpected ‘big win.’ Others remain skeptical.

Sean Shaw files legislation to get funds for Cuban Club and Florida Community Catalyst Project

Mitch Perry Report for 8.31.16 — Moving on to November

Sean Shaw narrowly defeats Dianne Hart in House District 61 race

Mitch Perry Report for 8.30.16 — Election Day questions

Florida Chamber makes big digital investment in key legislative races

Democratic Progressive Caucus backs Sean Shaw in HD 61 race

House District 61 candidates discuss their plans if elected in Tampa Tiger Bay forum

10 picks that stand out among the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 legislative endorsements

East Tampa activist says mailer in HD 61 indicates she’s supporting a candidate that she isn’t