Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 10, 2017

For Florida Republicans unsure who to support for governor in 2018, Bob White wants to give them a staunchly conservative alternative. One might add ‘libertarian’ as well: White chairs the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, which is “dedicated to working within the Republican Party to advance the principles of individual rights, limited government and free markets,” its […]

Staff ReportsJuly 7, 2017

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Republican state Sens. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg and Dana Young of Tampa on Friday endorsed former state Rep. Ed Hooper in his quest to replace Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala, who is term-limited in 2018. Brandes called Hooper “a true advocate for his community … thoughtful, collaborative, and trusted.” “These are some of the best qualities […]

Guest AuthorJune 30, 2017

This Legislative Session was a tumultuous one, with several lawmakers holding to their convictions, refusing to negotiate, but in the end, compromise prevailed. Thankfully, in the final hours of the Special Session, legislative leaders realized the unparalleled value of tourism to our state’s overall economy. By allocating $76 million of funding for VISIT FLORIDA, Florida […]

Staff ReportsJune 29, 2017

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is throwing his support behind Ed Hooper. Gualtieri announced Thursday he was endorsing Hooper in the race to replace Sen. Jack Latvala in Senate District 16. Gualtieri said Hooper’s “real-world, first-hand insight” will serve him — and Florida voters — well in the Florida Senate. “For as long as I’ve known […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 28, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala didn’t use an appearance at the Tiger Bay Club of Southwest Florida to announce a 2018 gubernatorial bid. Then again, he didn’t use it to quash any rumors about his plans for the future. “We have several members of the press here today, so if I was to specifically make an announcement, […]

Mitch PerryJune 28, 2017

A top editor at the Tampa Bay Times fired back Wednesday after Pinellas legislators slammed the paper for calling them “Disciples of Darkness” because of transparency-related and public records measures passed this year. “I understand why they are not happy,” Tim Nickens, the Times editor of editorials, wrote in an email. “They have no respect for open government, and […]

Mitch PerryJune 28, 2017

He wasn’t on the dais, but Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s policies and public comments were front-and-center when a panel of Pinellas lawmakers spoke Wednesday in Clearwater about the recently concluded legislative session. Dubbed “the most interesting man in Tallahassee” in a recent Miami Herald profile, the 52-year-old Land O’Lakes Republican came into leadership last […]

Joe HendersonJune 26, 2017

State Sen. Jack Latvala of Clearwater keeps saying he’ll decide in a few weeks whether he is running for the Republican nomination for Governor, but he sounds like a candidate right now. He is making himself available for interviews (always a good sign) and speaking engagements around the state. More importantly, he actually is saying […]

Phil AmmannJune 22, 2017

Florida Sheriffs recognized several Tampa Bay-area lawmakers Thursday for “significant contributions to and support of good public safety policies” during the 2017 Legislative Session. The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) named five legislators — including Clearwater state Sen. Jack Latvala and Reps. James Grant of Tampa and Chris Sprowls of Palm Harbor — for their “commitment […]

Scott PowersJune 19, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and affordable housing developer Chris King pitches this scenario to Democratic crowds hungry for a rare statewide victory, and a blue governor’s office for the first time in 20 years: “If you can imagine the gubernatorial debate of 2018, late October, we have a Republican, and we have a Democrat. And the time […]

Tag: Jack Latvala

Bob White wants to give GOP voters an alternative in governor’s race

Jeff Brandes, Dana Young endorse Ed Hooper

Carol Dover: Thank you, Florida leaders, for your hospitality

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri backs Ed Hooper in SD 16

Jack Latvala: ‘It is very possible I end up announcing something in the near future’

Pinellas GOP lawmakers ‘have no respect for open government,’ Times editor says

Richard Corcoran’s agenda and style get bashed (and sometimes praised) by panel of Pinellas lawmakers

Joe Henderson: Jack Latvala sounds like a candidate for Governor, even though he hasn’t announced

Florida Sheriffs name Jack Latvala, James Grant, Chris Sprowls ‘legislative champions’ for 2017

Chris King brings home his ‘progressive entrepreneur’ campaign message