Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 4, 2018

Former state Rep. Ed Hooper continued piling on to his fundraising lead in the race for Senate District 16, adding $37,156 to his war chest last week. Hooper, a Clearwater Republican, is running against former state Rep. Amanda Murphy, a New Port Richey Democrat, for the Pinellas and Pasco-based state Senate seat that was held […]

Scott PowersJuly 26, 2018

Tallahassee’s top prosecutor says he won’t pursue criminal charges against former state Sen. Jack Latvala. State Attorney Jack Campbell‘s decision, announced Thursday, had been eagerly awaited by the state’s political class – and by Latvala himself. Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, resigned in December after two damning reports on his alleged serial sexual harassment. He first served in the Senate […]

Drew WilsonJuly 3, 2018

The Florida Retail Federation said Tuesday they were backing former Republican Rep. Ed Hooper’s bid for Senate District 16. “As a member of the House, Representative Hooper supported legislation that enhanced Florida’s job creation efforts, including our retail industry,” said FRF President/CEO R. Scott Shalley. “As a Senator, we know he’ll continue this effort and […]

Staff ReportsJuly 2, 2018

The capital area’s top prosecutor on Monday said a decision whether to press charges in the Jack Latvala investigation won’t come till next week at the earliest. A spokesperson for State Attorney Jack Campbell said Friday a decision could have come as early as this week. Campbell called Florida Politics Monday morning to say he was […]

Peter SchorschJuly 2, 2018

Poll numbers in two battleground state Senate seats have shifted significantly since last month, while a third race remains essentially deadlocked. In SD 16, the seat previously held by Jack Latvala, Republican Ed Hooper and Democrat Amanda Murphy remain deadlocked, with Hooper at 45 percent and Murphy at 43 percent. The good news here for the GOP is that this […]

Kate BradshawJune 15, 2018

As any observer of Florida politics will tell you, this 34-year-old Palm Harbor Republican is on the move. First elected to House District 65 over Democratic incumbent Carl Zimmerman in 2014, Chris Sprowls had little difficulty getting re-elected in 2016 against Democrat Bernie Fensterwald. At this point, 2018 appears to be shaping up the same way. Sprowls currently serves as […]

Drew WilsonJune 15, 2018

The Pinellas County Commission has selected Southern Strategy Group (SSG) to handle its lobbying needs in Tallahassee for the next two years. SSG was one of several firms to respond to the Pinellas Commission’s call for contract proposals and, as reported last week, their pitch made the shortlist alongside Dean Mead and GrayRobinson. Dean Mead had held […]

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 11, 2018

If anyone is the antithesis to the notion that Republicanism’s days are numbered, it’s state Rep. Chris Latvala. First elected to his north-central Pinellas district (House District 67) in 2014, he was just 32 when he took office. Since then, he’s brought a fresh perspective to the Legislature and hasn’t been afraid to take positions that […]

Blake DowlingMay 12, 2018

Last night, I was watching a Celtics game. Late in the half, during a timeout, there were back-to-back commercials — each a message of apology. Wells Fargo was very sorry they created millions of fake accounts to cook the books; Facebook is very sorry about, I guess, lots of things. Wells Fargo’s message was pretty […]

Tag: Jack Latvala
Kathy Castor urges Congress to provide emergency disaster assistance funding after Hurricanes Debby, Helene & Milton ripped through the Tampa Bay area. Image via Instagram.

Ed Hooper clears $650K raised, Amanda Murphy cracks $100K in SD 16 battle

Jack Latvala won’t be charged, prosecutor says

Florida Retail Federation endorses Ed Hooper for SD 16

Jack Latvala prosecution decision will likely come next week

Fresh polling: Jeff Brandes, Janet Cruz lead in battleground state Senate seats; Ed Hooper, Amanda Murphy deadlocked.

#1 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Chris Sprowls

Southern Strategy Group lands Pinellas Co. lobbying contract

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

#24 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Chris Latvala

Blake Dowling: All apologies