Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2018

Rep. Kathleen Peters‘ attempt to amend an House ethics reform bill resulted in virtual fireworks Thursday, with a prominent lobbyist saying Peters was targeting him and a lawmaker bemoaning “political gymnastics” that temporarily gummed up the measure. One of Peters’ amendments would have banned sitting lawmakers and their immediate family members from working for lobbying firms. The […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 31, 2018

Bipartisan support for a statewide fracking ban doesn’t seem to carry any weight in the Legislature. Legislation filed by Treasure Coast Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters (HB 237) and Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young (SB 462) would ban fracking — an oil and gas excavation method that involves stimulating wells with a mixture of water, sand and chemicals. […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 22, 2018

On Saturday morning, state Rep. Kathleen Peters announced she was withdrawing her bid to join the Public Service Commission. To be honest, it was a surprise that she had even applied to the PSC. Peters really hasn’t had much nice to say about Tallahassee politics and is basing her campaign for the Pinellas County Commission on a desire […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2018

Rep. Kathleen Peters announced on Saturday morning she was withdrawing her bid to join the Public Service Commission (PSC), citing the need to fight St. Pete’s plan to pump wastewater underground. Peters, a Treasure Island Republican, relayed her decision in an email. “I felt that my experience in business, local and state government, and as Chair of the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 16, 2018

There are a number of first-time candidates running for office in Hillsborough County this year, but none are more successful at raising campaign cash than Aakash Patel, the 33-year-old Tampa businessman who is running for the District 1 seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. Patel added more than $9,000 to his campaign coffers last month and now […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2018

The Tampa Bay area will have three Senate seats and 14 House seats on the 2018 ballot; while most of the Pinellas and Hillsborough delegations will be the same when the 2019 Legislative Session rolls around, a few races are starting to heat up. First, the sure things. Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young is still […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018

A GOP House member seemingly is taking a swipe at House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a fellow Republican, with a bill that bans sitting lawmakers and family members, including “siblings,” from working for lobbying firms. Corcoran’s brother Michael is a lobbyist. State Rep. Kathleen Peters of Treasure Island, who filed the bill (HB 1325), had been “ousted […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

(UPDATED) House District 69 Republican candidate Ray Blacklidge raised $10,395 during December, his campaign announced Tuesday. This latest haul brings Blacklidge’s total amount to more than $87,000. When combined with funds raised for his political committee, Friends of Ray Blacklidge, his total amount now exceeds $100,000. “Our momentum in this campaign continues to grow,” he said in a […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 6, 2018

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Eastern Hillsborough County Rep. Ross Spano entered the Republican attorney general’s race later than his three other opponents; now he is attempting to catch up in creating a buzz around his candidacy. The Dover Republican announced Thursday endorsements from seven of his GOP colleagues with whom he serves in the Florida House: Larry Ahern from Seminole; […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 5, 2018

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RJ Myers, an established veteran of politics and The Process, is taking his experience to Suskey Consulting, the Florida government affairs firm announced this week. Myers, who will serve as a Government and Community Affairs Consultant, will be based in the firm’s St. Petersburg and Tallahassee offices. He most recently was Deputy Political Director for Republican Rick Baker‘s […]

Tag: Kathleen Peters
Gun rights ruling: Appeals court throws out federal ban on handgun sales to young adults. Image via NBC News.

‘Political gymnastics’: House panel kills Kathleen Peters’ ethics proposals

Capitol rally calls for statewide fracking ban

Kathleen Peters’ awkward withdrawal from applying for the PSC

Kathleen Peters bows out of contention for PSC seat

Aakash Patel continues fundraising prowess in Hillsborough Commission race

Here’s where Tampa Bay legislative races stand heading into the 2018 Legislative Session

Shot fired: Kathleen Peters gets in dig at Richard Corcoran

Republican Ray Blacklidge continues fundraising lead in HD 69

Ross Spano garners endorsement of 7 House Republicans for AG bid

Personnel note: RJ Myers heading to Suskey Consulting