Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Medical Association on Monday endorsed Dianne Hart in the Democratic primary for Tampa-based House District 61. “The FMA PAC is proud to endorse Dianne Hart for Florida House,” said FMA PAC president Mike Patete. “Ms. Hart has worked hard in her community for many years through her work with […]

Drew WilsonAugust 13, 2018

The Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus announced over the weekend that it was endorsing attorney Karen Skyers in the crowded Democratic primary to fill Tampa-based House District 61, which is open due to current Rep. Sean Shaw’s Attorney General bid. “We are proud to support your efforts toward full equality for LGBTA Floridians and look […]

Drew WilsonAugust 3, 2018

Florida Realtors PAC, the political arm of the state’s largest professional trade association, gave its blessing to another five candidates running for state legislative seats in the fall. Making the cut in the new round of endorsements were five state House candidates, three of them Republicans and two of them Democrats. In southeastern Hillsborough County’s […]

Drew WilsonAugust 1, 2018

Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw weighed in on the contest for the Florida House seat he’s giving up to run for Attorney General, announcing Wednesday that Tampa lawyer Karen Skyers is his pick to succeed him in Hillsborough County’s House District 61. “Karen Skyers is the right choice to build upon the progress that we have achieved […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

Ruth’s List Florida announced Thursday that it’s backing Tampa lawyer Karen Skyers in the four-way Democratic primary for House District 61, an open seat now held by Attorney General candidate Sean Shaw. “Karen is an attorney, former assistant public defender, children rights advocate and champion of criminal justice reform. She has served District 61 as a […]

Drew WilsonJune 25, 2018

No write-in candidate has ever won elected office in the Sunshine State, but they have been effective in denying tens of thousands of voters from getting a say in who will represent them in the Florida Legislature. Florida law allows all voters, no matter their political affiliation, to cast a ballot in a primary race […]

Drew WilsonMay 9, 2018

Karen Skyers showed nearly $33,000 in contributions in her inaugural campaign finance report, putting her in the driver’s seat in the crowded Democratic Primary to replace Tampa Rep. Sean Shaw, who is leaving the House to run for Attorney General. Skyers brought in 174 contributions in April, with the vast majority coming in from small-dollar […]

Drew WilsonApril 3, 2018

Former public defender and lobbyist Karen Skyers announced via Twitter Tuesday that she is entering the race for Hillsborough-based House District 61. Skyers, a Democrat, joins Sharon Carter, Norman Harris, Dianne Hart and Byron Henry in the primary race. HD 61 is opening up in the fall due to Tampa Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw foregoing […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 17, 2018

Democrat Dianne Hart announced Wednesday that she will give it another go in House District 61, which is opening up this year due to Tampa Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw’s entry into the Attorney General race. “I know firsthand the struggles and the needs facing this District and spent a lifetime working to help our children […]

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 […]

Tag: HD 61
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Florida Medical Association recommends Dianne Hart for HD 61

LGBTA group endorses Karen Skyers for HD 61

Florida Realtors release third wave of legislative endorsements

Sean Shaw endorses Karen Skyers as his successor in HD 61

Ruth’s List recommends Karen Skyers for HD 61

Write-ins lock down five state legislative primary races

Karen Skyers’ first finance report puts her atop HD 61 field

Karen Skyers enters race to succeed Sean Shaw in HD 61

Dianne Hart already emerging as frontrunner to replace Sean Shaw in HD 61

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