Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 4, 2015

Considering he was at Charlie Crist‘s pitch two weeks ago to run for Congress, it was no surprise Wednesday when the Crist campaign said it now has Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch‘s backing. “Charlie Crist has been standing up for our values his whole life, even when it wasn’t easy,” Welch says in a prepared […]

Peter SchorschOctober 29, 2015

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor has endorsed former Gov. Charlie Crist in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. If, as expected, the Florida Supreme Court signs off on the redraw of the state’s congressional districts, the seat Crist hopes to win will encompass the South Pinellas neighborhoods now represented by Castor. The Supreme Court ruled that Castor’s district could […]

Phil AmmannOctober 28, 2015

Orlando political operative Roosevelt Holmes III has been brought on as new deputy political director for the Florida Democratic Party. Holmes, 30, has served as a Florida Democratic campaign staffer and legislative assistant, working on campaigns such as Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential bid and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s 2012 re-election campaign. Most recently, he worked […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2015

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will make a “major announcement” Tuesday morning in St. Petersburg, according to PR consultant Kevin Cate. Speculation is he will announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Florida’s 13th District, which encompasses much of Pinellas County. Details were sparse in the Friday news release sent by Cate, […]

Jim RosicaOctober 14, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court wants to hear from both sides one more time as a congressional redistricting lawsuit draws to a close. The court on Wednesday ordered oral argument in the case at 2 p.m. on Nov. 2. The justices will consider the map recommended by a lower court judge as it wraps up the challenge […]

Mitch PerryOctober 6, 2015

After nearly six years of discussions, negotiators announced finalized terms for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Monday. Although it will take months before it can wind its way through Congress, the question is whether it will pass and become a feather in the cap for President Barack Obama’s legacy. Note that I didn’t ask whether […]

Mitch PerryOctober 2, 2015

No doubt some Florida Republicans must have scoffed about how “clueless” Donald Trump was when they heard his remarks regarding the relationship between Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio in New Hampshire on Wednesday night. “They hate so much. They hate more than anybody in this room hates their neighbor,” Trump said, adding “It’s political bulls_”. Now […]

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

The Republican-led House’s approval of a multibillion-dollar defense policy bill could end up being vetoed by President Obama and ultimately hurting MacDill Air Force Base, contends Tampa Bay area Democrat Kathy Castor. But she’s not blaming the president, but the John Boehner-led House. That’s because the $612 billion bill, which will cover new ships, aircraft and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 23, 2015

In Washington on Tuesday, Senate Republicans introduced a short-term spending bill that would essential fund the government through Dec. 11 and avert a shutdown. The measure would defund Planned Parenthood and increase defense spending by about $13 billion. It’s expected to fall short when it comes up for a vote Thursday. The next likely scenario is that Senate Majority […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 23, 2015

Although it may never come to pass, a redrawn Senate District 20 that would have Pinellas County Republicans Jack Latvala and Jeff Brandes competing against each other shows that Latvala would come out on top, and it wouldn’t be close. The St. Pete Poll survey shows that Latvala would defeat Brandes in a primary, 48-23 percent. Nearly […]

Tag: Kathy Castor
Image via AP

Ken Welch latest Democrat to embrace Charlie Crist’s congressional candidacy

Kathy Castor endorses Charlie Crist for Pinellas congressional seat

Personnel note: Florida Democrats name Roosevelt Holmes as deputy political director

Charlie Crist to announce congressional run on Tuesday

Supreme Court orders oral argument in redistricting case

Mitch Perry Report for 10.6.15 – Who’s down with the TPP?

Mitch Perry Report for 10.2.15 – On Jeb and Marco

Kathy Castor says GOP defense bill that violates the sequester could end up hurting MacDill AFB

Kathy Castor warns GOP about government shutdown threats

Jack Latvala would crush Jeff Brandes in speculative SD 20 race