Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 2, 2017

Lakeland city commissioners will host a public forum to help decide the fate of a Confederate statue in Munn Park. City Commissioner Don Selvage told his colleagues last month that the statue’s status is something that must be made by them and not kicked down the road to future commissioners. Debates about what do so with […]

Drew WilsonAugust 21, 2017

Republican Rep. Ben Albritton added an endorsement from Lakeland Mayor Howard Wiggs for his campaign to take over for exiting Sen. Denise Grimsley, who is running for Agriculture Commissioner. “Ben Albritton has proven himself as a leader in the Legislature,” Wiggs said. “Without hesitation, I believe he will continue to represent our area effectively in […]

Bill RuftyAugust 17, 2016

Strong mayor pushed because of weak responses The city of Lakeland has been going through a series of bipolar political moves — or lack of moves — over the last few decades. Its leaders and business executives in the city can’t seem to figure out if they want to be a big municipality or a small […]

Guest AuthorNovember 14, 2013

The recent city elections in Lakeland appear to demonstrate the principle that if people are embarrassed or disgusted about something in their community, the guy at the top will get the ax, even if he’s not to blame. In the wake of an appalling string of scandals at the Lakeland Police Department this year – […]

Guest AuthorOctober 17, 2013

When it comes to law enforcement agencies, Polk County and its largest city, Lakeland, offer a study in contrasts. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd – despite his flair for publicity-seeking – is generally regarded as running a model department. The Lakeland Police Department hasn’t had the benefit of leadership of Judd’s caliber. Several years ago, […]

Lakeland is latest battleground over Confederate monuments

Lakeland mayor backs Ben Albritton’s state Senate bid

Polk political notebook: Strong mayors, weak spellcheck and dueling websites

Cary McMullen: Reflections on Lakeland’s mayoral election

Cary McMullen: Lakeland police chief on the firing line