Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryDecember 30, 2015

It’s been a long contentious year in Tampa Bay, from Pinellas County’s “Failure Factories” and Beth Leytham in Tampa City Hall to the evolving political landscape that has drawn Charlie Crist for another bid for elected office. Good or bad, 2015 offered a little something for everyone (to cheer or argue about). Now that the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 30, 2015

As first said by Greek philosopher Heraclitus, in the universe change is the only constant. Nowhere was that more applicable than in Tampa Bay during the past 12 months. From the much-ballyhooed dismissal of MaryEllen Elia as Hillsborough County School Board District superintendent to redistricting and the rising (and falling) fortunes for hizzoner Bob Buckhorn, many of the leading […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2015

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Just in time for Tuesday night’s GOP presidential debate from Las Vegas, the Florida Democratic Party is mocking Marco Rubio with the release of a new web video called, “The Rubio Card” that mocks the Florida Senator’s variously reported financial problems over the years. Questions of Rubio’s spending on a Republican Party of Florida charge card […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2015

With Puerto Rico facing $72 billion in debt and not able to pay off its creditors, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has joined a group of over a dozen mayors in the U.S. calling on Congress to restore the commonwealth its bankruptcy protections in the omnibus appropriations funding bill being debated in the House of Representatives. Interestingly, Buckhorn is the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2015

Gosh it’s hot out there. That’s what went through my mind this morning when I went running at 5 a.m. Seriously, this felt like the warmest morning yet of what has been a very warm December in the Tampa Bay area. Maybe it’s the El Niño affect, but this unseasonably warm winter weather isn’t relegated to […]

Mitch PerryDecember 13, 2015

Despite the support from more major donors and the so-called GOP establishment, Marco Rubio‘s campaign doesn’t appear to be doing much in Iowa, site of the first caucuses next year. The Florida senator remains in fourth place in Iowa, according a poll released Sunday. The big story in the Des Moines Register is the rise of Texas Sen. […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2015

Joe Negron, the Stuart-based state Senator who recently survived a marathon battle with Jack Latvala to become Senate President in 2017, has signed on as a co-sponsor Jeff Brandes civil asset forfeiture bill (SB 1044) in the Legislature’s upper chamber. The legislation would stipulate assets or property may only be seized under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act after a criminal defendant […]

Mitch PerryDecember 11, 2015

Earlier this week, Pinellas County Congressman David Jolly made national news by calling on Donald Trump to leave the Republican presidential race, after the real estate mogul’s controversial comments about temporarily banning Muslims from the U.S. “I rise today to call on Donald trump to withdraw his candidacy for the White House,” Jolly said on the House floor […]

Mitch PerryDecember 11, 2015

Floridians for Solar Choice said Friday that its efforts to gather enough signatures to get on the 2016 are still going strong. The group’s prepared statement came in response to reports that its progress has been slowing of late. “Despite manipulation and millions of dollars spent by Florida’s monopoly utilities, the Solar Choice coalition has […]

Mitch PerryDecember 11, 2015

Since he began campaigning for president this year, one part of Donald Trump’s stump speech that has remained intact is when he attacks Bowe Bergdahl, calling him a traitor and saying he should be executed for deserting. “We’re tired of Sgt. Bergdahl, who’s a traitor, a no-good traitor, who should have been executed,’ Trump said in […]

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Florida Politics' Drew Wilson a few pounds heavier and with a bit more hair next to Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell ... (guess who we're rooting for?).

Mitch Perry’s 5 people to watch in Tampa Bay politics in 2016

Mitch Perry’s Top 10 stories of 2015 in Hillsborough politics

FDP releases ad for mock Marco Rubio credit card

Bob Buckhorn calls on Congress to give Puerto Rico bankruptcy protection, while Buddy Dyer sits it out

Mitch Perry Report for 12.14.15 – Warming up for a Tampa Bay Winter

Marco Rubio in 4th place in Iowa in new poll

Joe Negron signs on to Jeff Brandes civil asset forfeiture reform bill

David Jolly Senate campaign now boasting of Donald Trump backing his legislation

Floridians for Solar Choice organizers say they’re still going strong

Mitch Perry Report for 12.11.15 – Bowe Bergdahl speaks