Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Longtime Florida politics expert Darryl Paulson says voters “appear to be saying no to both Republicans and President Trump.” “Jeff Brandes seems to be the only secure candidate at this point,” said Paulson, a former Republican, in an interview. “That is due to his incumbency, his huge financial advantage and his Democratic opponent entering the race […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Political expert Susan MacManus doesn’t foresee a “blue tsunami” in Tampa Bay area races, but thinks a smaller wave is possible. She sees, for example, potential flips for Democrats in one Congressional race and two State Senate contests. Those include the Ross Spano/Kristen Carlson Congressional matchup in East Hillsborough and Lakeland, the Ed Hooper/Amanda Murphy state Senate […]

Drew WilsonNovember 3, 2018

Former Vice President Joe Biden announced his support for former Democratic Rep. Amanda Murphy in the hotly contested race for Senate District 16 just three days before Election Day. The announcement came late Saturday afternoon, just as voting in Pinellas entered its final day. Murphy thanked the former VP and possible 2020 presidential candidate for […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 24, 2018

Election Day is two weeks away. That means candidates are entering the home stretch of the midterm elections. Democrats are hoping to capitalize on the “blue wave” while Republicans are trying to keep seats for another term throughout the nation. Locally, candidates are planning to hit the pavement and take to the phones to reach […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 23, 2018

Local Republican candidates in state legislative races won’t be showing up to a candidate forum Wednesday hosted by ReThinkEnergy Florida, the First Street Foundation, Oceana and the League of Women Voters. The coalition of groups is hosting an environmental forum at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Clearwater Wednesday at 6 p.m. to discuss sea level […]

Drew WilsonOctober 23, 2018

The Florida Retail Federation on Tuesday endorsed five non-incumbent Republicans running for Florida Senate seats in November’s elections, including one who is looking to unseat an incumbent Democrat. Among the five candidates getting the nod was Tommy Wright, the newly anointed nominee for Senate District 14. The New Smyrna Beach businessman was selected for the nomination after […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 22, 2018

Republican Ed Hooper continues to out-raise his Democratic opponent, Amanda Murphy, in the battle to replace former state Sen. Jack Latvala for Senate District 16 (north Pinellas County). Hooper has raised more than $1.1 million between his campaign and affiliated political committee. Murphy has raised just $445,000 between her campaign and Taxpayers for Responsible Government […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 19, 2018

The Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee this week sent out a demeaning attack ad against Democrat Amanda Murphy, who faces Ed Hooper for Senate District 16 in north Pinellas. On one side is the image of a young girl wearing a larger than life bow on her head while crying. Next to her, it says, “career […]

Drew WilsonOctober 19, 2018

Former Republican Rep. Ed Hooper and Former Democratic Rep. Amanda Murphy are locked in a dogfight according to a new poll of the race for open Senate District 16 seat. The St. Pete Polls survey, conducted Oct. 18, found Hopper leading Murphy by a basket 19 days out from the election, 48-46 percent with 6 […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 16, 2018

Former state Rep. Ed Hooper grew his campaign and committee coffers to more than $900,000 during the most recent campaign finance reporting period, covering Sept. 29-Oct. 5. The Republican state Senate candidate’s fundraising more than doubles his opponent’s: Amanda Murphy’s campaign and affiliated committees together have brought in $393,000. Hooper’s campaign raised $48,000 during the latest reporting […]

Tag: Ed Hooper

Darryl Paulson sees possible ‘blue wave’ in Tampa Bay

Susan MacManus: Blue wave, maybe; blue tsunami, nope

Joe Biden gives Amanda Murphy his full support

Tampa Bay candidates enter campaign home stretch

Republican candidates say ‘nope’ to local environmental forum

Florida Retailers endorse five fresh faces for Florida Senate

The money race: Ed Hooper double-plus over Amanda Murphy

Conservative committee sends ‘sexist’ Amanda Murphy attack mailer

Ed Hooper leads Amanda Murphy by a hair in SD 16 dogfight

Ed Hooper rakes in corporate cash for SD 16 bid