Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 4, 2015

For more than three decades, the seven-member Hillsborough County Commission has consisted of representatives from four single-member districts and three at-large seats. The county is much larger now, and a lot of people think its composition needs to change to reflect that growth. In the past few years, there have been two futile attempts to add […]

Mitch PerryMay 4, 2015

Two Republicans who have never held elected office — Ben Carson and Carly Florina — are set to officially declare their candidacy for the GOP nomination for president on Monday. Carson will do it in his hometown of Detroit; Fiorina reportedly will just issue a statement, although though she will appear in an interview with […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

Buoyed in part by a very successful inauguration fundraiser/birthday party at an Ybor City craft brewery this past week, Hillsborough County Commission District 6 candidate Brian Willis touted his first fundraising totals in a press release issued Friday. The 32-year-old Tampa lawyer and transit activist raised $45,537 in April, the first month he has been […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

Jeb Bush doesn’t think much of Marco Rubio‘s contention that a governor elected president isn’t ready to manage U.S. foreign policy on their first day on the job. “Let me think. Ronald Reagan?” Bush responded when asked about Rubio’s remark by National Review editor Rich Lowry on Thursday in Washington. “I don’t know what else […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMay 1, 2015

After the Florida House of Representatives threw in the towel this week, abandoning the legislative session three days early, medical marijuana was declared dead in Tallahassee for the 2015 session. That’s why the group United for Care has said screw it, and is heading back to the ballot box to give voters another go-round. “Our […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller said Friday he thinks the Tampa Police Department’s policies on bicycle infractions, which disproportionately singled out blacks in the city, is wrong and should be discontinued until the Justice Department concludes its review of the policy. However, he doesn’t think it should hold up the confirmation of newly appointed police Chief […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

What was supposed to be the last day of the regular legislative session in Tallahassee is turning into a very bad one for Rep. Matt Gaetz. The House Republican from Fort Walton Beach set off a firestorm Thursday afternoon by tweeting a comment about Senate Democrats’ petition filed to the Florida Supreme Court that challenges the state […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

The suspense is over for Mike Huckabee fans. The former Arkansas Governor is poised to officially announce his candidacy for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination on Tuesday from a place called Hope, and he released a YouTube video this morning that will be played Tuesday leading up to his speech. Huckabee ran for the Republican […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

If you were growing weary of reading Jameis Winston vs. Marcus Mariota every day in your local sports pages for the past four months, Buc fans, congrats. Now you’ll just be reading about Winston every day up until football season begins. Let’s just hope for all concerned it’s only in the sports pages. Thursday night […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMay 1, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes is home from Tallahassee with the list of accomplishments this session. Of bills he proposed, at least nine are on their way to the governor for a signature. One of the bills Brandes is most excited to see make its way to Rick Scott’s desk is the Local Government Pension Reform bill. Senate Bill 242 is […]

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Panel to consider new ideas to change Hillsborough BOCC setup

Mitch Perry Report for 5.4.15 — New week, many new GOP presidential candidates

Brian Willis touts fundraising prowess in Hillsborough County bid

Jeb Bush rejects Marco Rubio claim governors not ready to lead

Ben Pollara puts the smackdown on Florida House over medical pot

Les Miller: Suspend TPD bike policy but confirm new chief

Mike Hill latest Republican to condemn Matt Gaetz tweet

Mike Huckabee releases video days before entering GOP presidential contest

Mitch Perry Report for 5.1.15 — On the so-called Fight of the Century

Jeff Brandes leaves Tallahassee with impressive bill record