Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannJune 16, 2015

A group of Tampa-area Democrats, including the last three Democratic nominees for governor, are hosting a June 28 Tampa fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy‘s 2016 Senate campaign. Charlie Crist, Alex Sink and former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis join Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, former state Sen. Betty Castor and other high-profile Democrats at the Hyde […]

Mitch PerryApril 26, 2015

By any measure, Tampa has flourished since its citizens elected Bob Buckhorn as mayor in 2011. Saddled with budget deficits in his first couple of years in office, he put the city’s economy back on solid footing post-recession. There’s been a plethora of new parks and swimming pools built throughout the city, and an expanded Riverwalk has […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 24, 2015

Whether or not Marco Rubio opts to seek another term for his Senate seat next year, speculation has already begun to determine which Florida Democrats may compete for their party’s nomination. Along with Alan Grayson, Patrick Murphy and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, another member of the state’s congressional delegation has had her name thrown in the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2015

Mike Fasano represented Pasco County in the Florida Legislature 19 years before being appointed tax collector in 2013 by Gov. Rick Scott. Having spent almost an equal amount of time between both chambers, he says there’s a vast gulf of difference between the two GOP-controlled bodies in Tallahassee as far as independence, philosophy, and temperament. “In […]

Bob SparksOctober 29, 2014

Charlie Crist first ran for Governor in 2006. His victory marked the first time a Republican succeeded another Republican as Florida’s chief executive. It is helpful to remember the circumstances at the time. Many of those same circumstances are present today. Heading into the 2006 election, President George W. Bush had approval ratings hovering near […]

Guest AuthorOctober 9, 2014

The federal lawsuit filed Thursday by Libertarian Party candidate for governor, Adrian Wyllie, seeking to force his way in to next week’s debate between Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist is another case of history repeating itself. In 2006, Reform Party candidate for governor, Max Linn, filed a federal lawsuit in an effort […]

Guest AuthorOctober 2, 2014

Notionally, the Charlie Crist campaign for governor is ramping up its efforts to motivate Florida black voters to get to the polls on November 4. But actually the Crist campaign merely expects black voters to slavishly support him without a compensating policy effort. This should not be surprising. It is the party of Jackson’s approach […]

Guest AuthorAugust 24, 2014

The neon green flyer was stuck into my driver’s side door of my pickup truck. Such material usually meets one fate – the trash can, unless it’s the last Sunday before the start of early voting. The Environmental Caucus of Florida’s list of endorsed candidates: Nan Rich for governor. There was no website listed. There […]

Peter SchorschJuly 18, 2014

Say what you will about Republican-turned-Independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, but the man is certainly campaigning to the beat of his own drummer. Crist endorsed President Barack Obama’s re-election on his own timetable, just as he switched his party registration on a whim while attending a White House Christmas Party. Crist set no timetable for when he […]

Bob SparksJuly 2, 2014

This fall it is safe to predict the election for Governor of Florida will be among the most watched races around the country. It’s OK. We’re accustomed to having the nation watch how we vote. There is no question this is a toss-up race. Those confidently predicting a winner, one way or the other, are […]

Tag: Jim Davis
Donald Trump. Image via AP.

Tampa Democrats, including Gov. nominees, to hold Patrick Murphy funder June 28

Bob Buckhorn faces first major test as Tampa mayor

Kathy Castor not ruling out future run for higher office

At Tampa Tiger Bay, Mike Fasano says GOP leadership’s rein too tight on state House

Bob Sparks: Don’t underestimate Crist’s ability to connect with people

Jeff Kottkamp: History repeated with legal challenge over gubernatorial debate

Chris Timmons: Will the Crist campaign start taking Florida black voters seriously?

Andrew Skerritt: For a party desperate for a gubernatorial winner, Nan Rich’s progressive credentials might not be enough

Peter Schorsch: Charlie Crist’s LG pick an oddly timed decision influenced by reality of identity politics

Bob Sparks: Ten counties likely to sway governor election