Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2018

With Democrats and Republicans sharply divided on the issue of gun control and gun rights, it’s little surprise that less than 24 hours after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz shot and killed 17 people at a Broward County school, the issues would come up in a race for a contested open seat in the Florida Senate. Democrat […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 29, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper picked up a pair of endorsements for his state Senate campaign Monday from clerks of court in Pasco and Pinellas counties. “Ed Hooper knows who how to get things done. In the Senate, we can count on him to make sure our voices are heard and our needs fought for. There […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 18, 2018

There will not be special elections to replace two Florida lawmakers, Gov. Rick Scott said in a press gaggle Thursday. Scott said that “we have listened to the Supervisors of Elections” and “we’re going to follow their lead.” The two legislators: Villages Rep. Don Hahnfeldt, an HD 33 Republican who passed away in December; and Clearwater Republican […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 15, 2018

When Dunedin-based Democrat Bernie Fensterwald III entered the local political scene two years ago, there was significant attention paid to his personal finances after documents showed he was worth $19.8 million. Criticism ultimately followed after he lost his challenge to Republican Chris Sprowls in the House District 65 seat, spending just $35,000 in the race, […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2018

The Tampa Bay area will have three Senate seats and 14 House seats on the 2018 ballot; while most of the Pinellas and Hillsborough delegations will be the same when the 2019 Legislative Session rolls around, a few races are starting to heat up. First, the sure things. Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young is still […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2017

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper announced Thursday that U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is backing his campaign for the Florida Senate seat currently held by Jack Latvala, who faces term limits in 2018. “I am excited to have a partner to work with in Ed Hooper. I know of few better prepared to work on the issues […]

Mitch PerryNovember 30, 2017

Like his father, state Rep. Chris Latvala of Clearwater is a proud Republican who doesn’t always toe the GOP line – a contrarian streak which sometimes gets him into trouble. Not that Latvala, son of longtime state Sen. Jack Latvala, is that worried about that perception. “My grade with the NRA is a ‘D.’ And I’m proud of […]

Mitch PerryNovember 13, 2017

Former Clearwater GOP Rep. Ed Hooper had a robust fundraising month in October for his 2018 bid for the Pinellas County-based state Senate District 16 seat. Hooper’s $82,575 haul far outpaced the $2,195 brought in by Democrat Bernie Fensterwald, so far Hooper’s only opponent in the race. Fensterwald, a retired businessman from Virginia, has raised a […]

Peter SchorschNovember 7, 2017

Republican SD 16 candidate Ed Hooper is holding a fundraiser for his 2018 bid on Wednesday in Tallahassee, and the choice of venue should make him feel right at home. The funder is set to run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the swanky new headquarters of The Florida Professional Firefighters, located cattycorner to […]

Drew WilsonOctober 17, 2017

Former lawmaker Ed Hooper is looking to rejoin the Legislature via Senate District 16 next year, and in the past couple days he’s landed endorsements from the two men who would serve as Senate President during his first term. “Ed Hooper is a committed public servant dedicated to working for his neighbors. As a firefighter […]

Tag: Ed Hooper

In wake of Parkland shooting, gun control become an issue in state Senate race

Ed Hooper endorsed by Pasco, Pinellas clerks of court

No special election for Jack Latvala seat, declares governor

Bernie Fensterwald: Democrat wants to be true ‘citizen legislator’

Here’s where Tampa Bay legislative races stand heading into the 2018 Legislative Session

Gus Bilirakis backs Ed Hooper for Florida Senate

Chris Latvala goes to class

Ed Hooper ‘showing the money’ in SD 16 race

Ed Hooper heading to Tallahassee for Wednesday fundraiser

Ed Hooper lands Wilton Simpson nod on the heels of Bill Galvano endorsement