Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 9, 2016

Despite the wooing of state Democrats, St. Petersburg City Council member Darden Rice says she will not leave her seat to challenge Republican Jeff Brandes in the state Senate District 24 race this fall. “I really like what I’m doing right now, and I really don’t have any interest in the job,” Rice said on Tuesday. After […]

Mitch PerryMarch 8, 2016

To the surprise of virtually anybody, Michael Bloomberg announced yesterday that he will not run for president as an independent this year. Writing on um, Bloomberg View, the former New York City Mayor announced that after serious contemplation, he will not run this year, despite the concerns he has about the campaigns from both the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 7, 2016

In 2013, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio were among the 22 U.S. senators who voted against a reauthorization of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which included protections for the LGBT community, and for Native American and immigrant populations. “There’s been a lot of debate in this presidential election, but people are not aware […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 15, 2016

Happy Presidents Day, y’all! Other than government folks, does anyone else have today off? Just wondering. Speaking of presidents, this is a crucial week in the 2016 election for both parties, but let’s focus on the Republican election in South Carolina on Saturday. All polls show Donald Trump with a very solid lead, but a […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2016

A seven-member bipartisan group of Congress, led by Tampa Democrat Kathy Castor, departed from Tampa to Cuba on Saturday. “We intend to meet with small business owners and entrepreneurs to gain a better understanding of how the changes in the Cuban economy are working,” Castor said in a brief news conference held at Tampa International […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 12, 2016

While watching the first hour of Thursday night’s Democratic presidential debate, I started thinking that Marco Rubio has gotten a bit of a bum rap. For months (maybe longer), political reporters have complained that Rubio has liberally inserted his standard stump speech into his answers to questions on the campaign trail. That meme hit Def Com […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2016

Tampa Bay area Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor will be leading a congressional delegation to Cuba this weekend. Castor will be departing from Tampa International Airport on Saturday with Minnesota Republican Representative Tom Emmer. Last year the two members filed legislation to lift the Cuban embargo and allow for businesses and the private sector to trade freely with Cuba. […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 29, 2016

On MSNBC Frtiday morning, mega-pundit Mark Halperin said of Thursday night’s GOP president debate: “Ted Cruz did fine, Marco Rubio did fine.” With all due respect, Mr. Halperin, that’s pure poppycock. Cruz was supposedly the Big Dog on stage, what with the “elephant not in the room.” He blew it, and probably any chance of […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 28, 2016

In 2014, NextGen Climate, well-heeled environmental activist Tom Steyer‘s political action committee, spent an estimated $12 million in Florida to try to oust Rick Scott as Governor. Scott defeated Democrat Charlie Crist in a closely fought contest. Last fall, the super PAC announced that they would launch a “seven-figure” television ad campaign, calling on presidential candidates and other political leaders to […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 28, 2016

The day after the Florida House approved a controversial measure that would regulate and study fracking in Florida, Tampa Bay area Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor blasted the idea of fracking coming to the Sunshine State. “You have to understand the geology of Florida. We are built on a porous limestone, a very thin rock layer,” Castor […]

Tag: Kathy Castor

Darden Rice will not challenge Jeff Brandes in SD 24

Mitch Perry Report for 3.8.16 – Bloomy, we hardly knew ye

Kathy Castor bashes Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio for opposing Violence Against Women Act

Mitch Perry Report 2.15.16 – Trump doubles down on Iraq comments about W

Kathy Castor leads 7-member congressional delegation to Cuba

Mitch Perry Report for 2.12.16 – Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders clash in Milwaukee

Kathy Castor to lead a bipartisan congressional delegation to Cuba this weekend

Mitch Perry Report for 1.29.16 — Ted Cruz fails to rise to the occasion

NextGen Climate to boost grassroots clean energy efforts in Florida

Kathy Castor slams idea of fracking in Florida