Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 16, 2018

Former Pinellas County Commissioner Norm Roche has applied to fill a vacant Tallahassee City Commission seat. Seat 1 was vacated after Gov. Rick Scott suspended Scott Maddox following a federal indictment against the longtime Tallahassee politician. Roche moved to Tallahassee after losing his re-election bid for the Pinellas County Commission to fellow Republican Ed Hooper […]

Phil AmmannDecember 5, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round in the Florida Senate. Off and on: Andrew Liebert and Jae Williams became legislative assistants, and Karen Whaley became district secretary for Republican Sen. Ben Albritton of Bartow. Williams previously worked for former Sen. Denise Grimsley. Whaley worked with […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 26, 2018

The Tampa Bay region is well-represented in Tallahassee for the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session, at least in the Senate. Not only is Senate President Bill Galvano from the region — his district covers parts of southern Hillsborough County and Manatee County — but several other senators from the region have been posted to leadership positions. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 11, 2018

Newly-elected state Sen. Ed Hooper has a lot of plans for his term in office, but the first order of business is finding an office. While hunting for real estate is a necessary first detail, the Pinellas Republican is still laying the groundwork to implement some of his priorities. The former state Representative bested Democrat Amanda […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Former State Representative Ed Hooper narrowly beat Amanda Murphy in an upset for the “blue wave” Democrats were hoping for. Hooper won 52 to 48 percent in the race for Senate District 16. Murphy issued a statement concession statement about an hour after the polls closed Tuesday evening. “I want to thank our incredible team […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

The 2018 midterm election is widely considered one of the most contentious in recent history. Like all midterm elections, it’s serving as a referendum on the party in power in Washington. But fueled by the overtly contentious Donald Trump administration, Democrats are fired up to send an anti-Trump message this election. That message is trickling […]

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 […]

Tag: Ed Hooper

Former Pinellas Commissioner Norm Roche seeks vacant Tallahassee City Commission seat

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round (Senate version)

Tampa Bay lawmakers get Senate committee leadership posts

After contentious election, Ed Hooper lays out Senate priorities

Ed Hooper puts breaks on ‘blue wave’ in Amanda Murphy upset

Tampa Bay competitive ‘blue wave’ races to watch

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