Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 30, 2018

Tampa businessman Aakash Patel, a Republican running for Hillsborough County Commission, is out with a new ad responding to recent attacks that he’s been too chummy with Democrats in the past. The 30-second spot, titled “Typical Politician,” comes four days after Todd Marks’ TV ad attempting to paint Patel as “betraying conservative values” due to […]

Drew WilsonJuly 26, 2018

Hillsborough Commission candidate Todd Marks has already attacked Republican opponent Aakash Patel for past donations to Democrats, but now he’s doing it over the airwaves. Marks, a Tampa attorney, is out with a new ad that intersperses clips of Patel’s first ad with his Jan. 28 interview on LeaderCast Tampa, where the Tampa businessman said […]

Drew WilsonJuly 17, 2018

Republican Aakash Patel announced Tuesday that the first TV ad backing his Hillsborough County Commission campaign is already hitting the airwaves. The 30-second spot, entitled “A Better Hillsborough,” features a half dozen Hillsborough residents saying what they are looking for out of the next commissioner to hold the countywide District 7 seat. “My county commissioner […]

Drew WilsonJuly 2, 2018

Tampa Republican Aakash Patel posted his fifth consecutive report showing more than $25,000 raised for his Hillsborough County Commission campaign. The District 7 candidate added $14,750 for his political committee, Elevate Tampa, and another $13,000 for his campaign account, for a total haul of $27,750 during last month. Those figures include contributions for the last […]

Drew WilsonJune 21, 2018

Hillsborough County Commission candidate Aakash Patel snagged a nod former Republican Rep. Trey Traviesa Thursday, making for three endorsements in the past week. “I met Aakash Patel while he was a student at Florida State University working in Student Government and a member of the Seminole Torchbearers, an organization which acknowledges and encourages leaders at […]

Drew WilsonJune 19, 2018

Aakash-Patel-Hillsborough-County-Commission-candidate-District-1.jpg

Tampa Republican Aakash Patel notched another significant endorsement for his Hillsborough County Commission campaign Tuesday, this time from Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I am happy to offer my support and endorsement to Aakash Patel as he makes his initial run for Hillsborough County Commission,” Bondi said. “I have known Aakash since he returned to Tampa after […]

Drew WilsonJune 15, 2018

Tampa Republican Aakash Patel snagged an endorsement from House Speaker Richard Corcoran in his bid for the countywide District 7 seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. “I’ve gotten to know Aakash through his work with the Early Learning Coalition and have seen him put conservative initiatives to work to bring early education to more children […]

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

The likely reason for Ken Hagan’s steep climb in the rankings this year is no mystery. A fixture on the Hillsborough County Commission since first elected in 2002, Hagan has been the face of county leaders’ campaign to woo the Rays across the bay. It’s an effort that appears to have succeeded. The team finally announced […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

First elected to her Tampa state House seat in 2010, Janet Cruz served as House Minority Leader over the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions. She’s the first Latina to serve in that capacity. While Democratic leaders in the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature often have little influence, Cruz has managed to have some sway. She has been effective at […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

Current Hillsborough County Commission Chair Sandra Murman was first elected to her District 1 seat in 2010. Her district includes Ruskin, Gibsonton, parts of South Tampa, Town ‘n’ Country and Keystone. At the dais, Murman, a Republican, has taken some credit for steering the transit debate in 2016 after the Go Hillsborough initiative tanked — even though […]

Tag: Hillsborough County Commission

Aakash Patel responds to attacks by taking the high road

Todd Marks unleashes attack ad on Aakash Patel

Aakash Patel rolls out first ad for Hillsborough Commission bid

Aakash Patel adds $28K for Hillsborough Commission campaign

Aakash Patel lands endorsement from Trey Traviesa

Pam Bondi endorses Aakash Patel for Hillsborough Commission

Richard Corcoran backs Aakash Patel for Hillsborough Commission

#9 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Ken Hagan

#12 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Janet Cruz

#13 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Sandra Murman

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.