Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

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 […]

Tag: Dianne Hart
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

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’

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