Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jacob OglesOctober 1, 2018

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A federal judge denied Pam Keith and Roy David Walker the chance to run for Congress in Florida’s 17th Congressional district, where Democratic leaders must pick a replacement for the late April Freeman. Now party leaders will hold an emergency meeting to choose who faces Republican candidate Greg Steube in the Nov. 6 general election. […]

Bill RuftyJune 7, 2018

EMILY’s List, the progressive organization that supports women candidates for office, has recommended Kristen Carlson, Lakeland attorney and 11th-hour entrant into the Democratic primary, for Florida’s 15th Congressional District. The endorsement put two organizations that support Democratic candidates at odds with one another. At least one Democratic candidate, Greg Pilkington of Indian Lake Estates, withdrew […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2018

Navy veteran and Valrico-based businessman Andrew Learned is reporting he raised more than $64,000 in 2017 in his bid to win the Democratic nomination for Florida’s 15th Congressional District, and currently has more than $22,000 in cash on hand. The district is currently held by Republican Dennis Ross, who has held the seat since 2010. Though Ross’s fourth […]

Mitch PerryOctober 17, 2017

Democrats in Florida’s 15th Congressional District think Republican Dennis Ross could be vulnerable in his quest for re-election in 2018. What else can explain why no fewer than six Democrats have already filed to run against the Polk County incumbent next year? Even with a full year until the midterms, Ross certainly isn’t taking anything […]

Mitch PerryAugust 7, 2017

Andrew Learned, one of six Democrats who has filed to run in Florida’s 15th Congressional District, is up with a digital ad touting his candidacy. CD 15 is currently held by Republican Dennis Ross. A Navy veteran who was stationed in Bahrain and now runs GradePower Learning in Valrico, this is the 30-year-old Learned’s first […]

Mitch PerryMay 30, 2017

Hopeful of a wave election next year, Democrats are targeting several GOP-controlled congressional districts in Florida for 2018, but the 15th Congressional district seat held by Lakeland’s Dennis Ross so far is not one of them. Not yet, anyhow. However, don’t tell that to Democrats in the district, which encompasses parts of Polk, Hillsborough and […]

Mitch PerryMay 12, 2017

Greg Pilkington is one of a handful of aspiring Democrats who have filed to challenge Dennis Ross in Florida’s 15th Congressional District next year. Nevertheless, Pilkington may be the best organized of the bunch at this early point in the election cycle. Since entering the race, he’s hired some political pros to help him in his attempt […]

Mitch PerryMay 9, 2017

Although Ray Pena Jr. worked in law enforcement his entire life, he resents that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is “ripping families” apart deporting undocumented immigrants under the Donald Trump administration. “We need a fair and just immigration reform policy right now because what we have is unfair and unjust,” says Pena, who became the first […]

Mitch PerryMay 9, 2017

Dennis Ross has not faced a serious challenge since his election to Florida’s 15th Congressional District in 2010, but several Democrats want a piece of him next year — all of whom filed to run in the district before Ross voted for the American Health Care Act last week. Four Democrats are already running against the Polk […]

Tag: Greg Pilkington
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Judge: Pam Keith, Roy David Walker can’t replace April Freeman

CD 15 primary support puts Democratic groups at odds

CD 15 hopeful Andrew Learned tops Democrats in fundraising

Democrats struggle to fundraise against Dennis Ross for 2018

Andrew Learned launches digital ad for CD 15 bid

Navy Veteran Andrew Learned the latest Democrat to file to challenge Dennis Ross in CD 15

CD 15 hopeful Greg Pilkington believes 2018 will be a big year for Democrats – including himself

Democratic hopeful Ray Pena says voters in CD 15 ‘not happy with Dennis Ross’

Cameron Magnuson becomes fourth Democrat to challenge Dennis Ross in CD 15