Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

Tampa Democrat Mike Alvarez scored a last-minute endorsement from Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn in the race to succeed House Minority Leader Janet Cruz in Hillsborough County’s House District 62. “There is only one candidate in this race that speaks to the heart and soul of this district and that is Mike Alvarez,” Buckhorn said. “He […]

Drew WilsonAugust 15, 2018

Tampa Democrat Mike Alvarez has launched a new digital ad campaign that contrasts his record against that of his chief rival in the Democratic primary for House District 62, School Board member Susan Valdes. Sample ads provided by the campaign say that “District 62 has a choice,” with the one half of the ad featuring a full-color […]

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 2, 2018

Tampa Democrat Mike Alvarez landed a major backer Thursday as his chief rival in the three-way Democratic primary for House District 62, School Board member Susan Valdes, notched another campaign gaffe. The new endorsement came in from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who represents Florida’s 14th Congressional District, a territory that includes the Tampa-based state House […]

Drew WilsonJune 29, 2018

Three weeks into her campaign for House District 62, Susan Valdes is still playing defense. A video of the 14-year Hillsborough School Board member saying she was open to campaign contributions from charter school companies made waves in education circles, and Valdes is now changing course with a pledge to reject charter school donations. “As […]

Drew WilsonJune 28, 2018

The Florida Education Association and the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association are backing Democrat Mike Alvarez in the Democratic primary for House District 62. “Hillsborough teachers stand with Mike,” said Rob Kriete, President of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association. “We’ve seen what happens when dysfunction, threats, and corruption infect our local government. Mike is an ethical […]

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 WilsonJune 25, 2018

A Tampa man says a campaign consultant working with School Board member Susan Valdes, now a candidate for House District 62, threatened to get him fired and booted out of the Democratic Party for posting a video of Valdes on Facebook. The 5-minute video, recorded during a Saturday meeting of the Hillsborough Hispanic Democratic Caucus, […]

Drew WilsonJune 19, 2018

Tampa Democrat Mike Alvarez’ campaign for House District 62 got a boost Tuesday thanks to an endorsement from labor union group Florida AFL-CIO. “Working families stand with Mike Alvarez,” said Cheryl Schroeder, who heads the West Central Florida Labor Council. “Voters can trust Mike Alvarez to be a moral and ethical representative for West Tampa. […]

Drew WilsonJune 15, 2018

Hillsborough School Board member Susan Valdes, now running for House District 62, slammed Democratic primary opponent Mike Alvarez Thursday for running a negative campaign. At issue is Valdes’ resign-to-run letter. A new law signed by Gov. Rick Scott earlier this year requires elected officials to turn in a resignation letter for their current office 10 days […]

Tag: House District 62

Bob Buckhorn endorses Mike Alvarez in HD 62 Democratic primary

Mike Alvarez rolls out new digital ads in HD 62 primary

Florida Realtors release third wave of legislative endorsements

Kathy Castor backs Mike Alvarez, admonishes Susan Valdes in HD 62

Susan Valdes lashes out after ‘gotcha’ video

Teacher unions back Mike Alvarez for HD 62

Write-ins lock down five state legislative primary races

Susan Valdes campaign threatens man for posting video

AFL-CIO endorses Mike Alvarez in House District 62

Susan Valdes sidesteps special treatment allegations, refers questions to attorney