Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 19, 2016

Let’s talk about somebody I assiduously generally eschew writing about in this space, Donald Trump. (That’s not to make any editorial point at all. It’s just that there’s so much going on in news and politics right now, and you can get your fill of Trump a thousand other places on the internet). On Tuesday, […]

Mitch PerryMay 18, 2016

House District 60 Republicans Jackie Toledo and Rebecca Smith both have a background in transportation, so it was natural that they be asked to weigh in on the Tampa Bay Express project (TBX), the controversial Florida Department of Transportation billion-dollar project that would add all-express toll lanes on I-275. Speaking at the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee’s monthly meeting on […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 17, 2016

Rebecca Smith can add former Gov. Bob Martinez to her list of backers. Smith announced Tuesday that Martinez and his wife, Mary Jane Martinez, have endorsed the Tampa Republican in her House District 60 campaign. In a joint statement Tuesday, the couple said Smith “has the right experience to represent us in Tallahassee.” “We support […]

Peter SchorschMay 9, 2016

For an entire eight days — EIGHT DAYS — local Democrats had their sh*t together. On April 25, state Rep. Dwight Dudley announces he will not seek re-election. Hours later, the well-liked Ben Diamond announces his candidacy for Dudley’s seat along with the endorsements of almost all of Pinellas’ Democratic elected officials. The seamless transition […]

Mitch PerryMay 5, 2016

Democrat David Singer announced Thursday he has raised over $47,000 since declaring his candidacy for the Hillsborough County area House District 60 seat. “I am so proud to have earned the trust and tremendous support from a diverse group of people, including Democrats, Independents and Republicans, young and old, businesses and families,” Singer said in a statement. “Our […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 2, 2016

Jackie Toledo has received enough signatures to secure a spot on the ballot. Toledo announced Monday she received enough verified signatures to qualify for the House District 60 race. Toledo, a small-business owner, said her campaign was able to get the necessary signatures in part because of a dedicated group of grassroots volunteers who helped […]

Peter SchorschApril 14, 2016

Three of the five Senate races in Hillsborough or Pinellas County feature an incumbent running without opposition. In a fourth race – the one for Senate District 18 – Tampa Republican Rep. Dana Young has no challenger yet, although a Democrat is expected to file next week. As of April, SD 19 is the only Bay area seat with […]

Mitch PerryApril 12, 2016

Tampa land use attorney David Singer made it official on Tuesday, announcing that he has entered the race for the Hillsborough County based House District 60 open seat that is being vacated by Dana Young. He becomes the first Democrat to declare in the contest. Rebecca Smith and Jackie Toledo are competing for the GOP nomination, as Young is moving on […]

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2016

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Florida Gulf Coast Chapter is endorsing Rebecca Smith for the House District 60 seat in Hillsborough County. “Today, we are pleased to offer our endorsement of Rebecca Smith to become the District 60 Representative to the Florida State Legislature,” said Steve P. Cona III, president and CEO of the group. “Rebecca has been […]

Mitch PerryMarch 3, 2016

Tampa businesswoman Rebecca Smith announced on Thursday that she is now a candidate for the Hillsborough County area House District 60 seat. The seat is currently occupied by Dana Young, but she will vacate it this fall, as she attempts to advance to the state Senate District 18 seat recently created due to redistricting. “Over […]

Tag: Jackie Toledo
Image via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 5.19.16 — The yin and yang of Donald J. Trump

Jackie Toledo all in on TBX, while her HD GOP 60 opponent Rebecca Smith isn’t so enthusiastic

Bob Martinez endorses Rebecca Smith in HD 60 race

Here’s where sh*t stands — the ‘Democrats can’t keep it together’ edition

HD 60 Democratic candidate David Singer raises over $47K in first month of fundraising

Jackie Toledo receives enough signatures to qualify in HD 60

Where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay’s 2016 legislative races

Tampa land-use attorney David Singer enters the HD 60 race

Contractors group endorses HD 60 GOP candidate Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith enters HD 60 race