Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 12, 2016

Nancy Watkins, the South Tampa certified public accountant who has been campaign treasurer for hundreds of local and national Republicans for more than 25 years, won’t run for the Florida House District 60 seat being vacated this fall by Dana Young. Watkins, who has never run for public office, was said to be seriously considering […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 28, 2016

In a few days from now, or perhaps a few weeks, Democrats in Hillsborough County may rise to announce that they’re challenging Republicans in two nearly created opportunities where analysts believe they have a decent shot at winning in a presidential election year. But that’s not the case today. With a new Senate seat created as part […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 25, 2016

San Mateo, California, is about halfway between San Francisco and Santa Clara, the site of Super Bowl 50 in 13 days. It’s also the hometown of Tom Brady, generally considered (after last year’s Super Bowl) The Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), when it comes to ranking NFL quarterbacks in history. He wasn’t Sunday, though, was […]

Mitch PerryNovember 30, 2015

Lisa Montelione said it was “excruciatingly hard” to decide to give up her Tampa City Council seat next year, but that’s what will happen now that she’s decided to run for the Florida Legislature in 2016. She’ll take on fellow Democrat Mike Reedy in the House District 63 primary next August, with the winner to […]

Mitch PerryJune 29, 2015

Hillary Clinton will give a speech within the next three weeks giving her take on how she would deal with Wall Street bankers and the financial industry. That was the one major nugget of news to emanate from Robbie Mook‘s appearance at the Mise en Place restaurant in Tampa on Monday night. Mook is the 35-year-old […]

Phil AmmannJune 23, 2015

More than a few high-profile Tampa Bay Democrats will be joining Gwen Graham for a major fundraiser next week to help her re-election effort in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. The $250-per-person reception will be Tuesday, June 30, beginning 5:30 p.m. at the home of former Democratic state Sen. Pat Frank, who now serves as Hillsborough […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

When he began running countywide as the Democratic challenger to Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair in 2007, Kevin Beckner started out very early. He had to. Very few people in the political community knew him during his debut run for office. Hillsborough County is a huge area to campaign in, plus he was an openly gay […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2015

Longtime Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan says he’s considering a run for mayor of Tampa in 2019. “I’m encouraged every day to consider running for either mayor of Tampa or a constitutional seat,” Hagan said Tuesday. Having just been re-elected to his District 5 countywide commission seat last year, he admits he’s not in any […]

Mitch PerryApril 24, 2015

Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign will be kicking off a major grassroots organizing effort starting next week, sending staffers to all 50 states in the country to begin building up a network of volunteers to start getting selling the message on a Clinton candidacy. It’s being called the “Ramp up Grassroots Organizing Program,” and will be led […]

Mitch PerryApril 1, 2015

It was over in less than a minute. The much anticipated vote for Tampa City Council chairman was decided quickly Wednesday afternoon, as the newly sworn-in council picked Frank Reddick to be their chairman for the next year. As expected, it was a close vote, with Reddick defeating current chair Charlie Miranda on a 4-3 vote. […]

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Image via AP

Nancy Watkins opts not to run for Tampa HD 60 seat

More Tampa Democrats indicate no interest in open legislative seats in Hillsborough County

Mitch Perry Report for 1.25.16 — Santa Clara will now be Peyton’s Place

Lisa Montelione feels confident in HD 63 Democratic primary versus Mike Reedy

Robbie Mook says Hillary Clinton taking primary campaign season seriously

Democratic power roster to help re-elect Gwen Graham with June 30 Tampa fundraiser

Kevin Beckner starts fundraising early for clerk of courts post

Ken Hagan looks at 2019 run for Tampa mayor

Hillary Clinton campaign about to ramp up in Florida

Tampa City Council picks Frank Reddick to be new chairman