Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 3, 2015

The most lackluster campaign that this reporter has covered in his 15 years living in Tampa comes to a conclusion tonight — at least for most of the candidates vying to win the five Tampa City Council seats up for election. There’s not much drama. Though there has been a lot of coverage of the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 23, 2015

Early voting for Tampa municipal elections starts Monday at seven locations citywide. It runs through March 1. Election Day is March 3. Officials expect voter turnout this election to be low despite more absentee ballots being returned than the previous municipal election. That’s because there’s not a lot of action on the ballot. There won’t […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 18, 2015

Last week, at a candidates forum in South Tampa, District 4 challenger Kent King assailed incumbent Harry Cohen’s performance on council over the past four years, saying he hasn’t represented South Tampa well at City Hall. But after King told moderator Christine Burdick at this morning’s Downtown Partnership candidates forum that the City Council is not the “lead […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2015

My TweetDeck was filled with comments of respect for David Carr around 1:30 a.m. this morning. I had turned to it immediately after reading of his shocking death on the website of his beloved New York Times. Eric Deggans has called him the finest media reporter of his generation, and he was that, and a whole lot […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 12, 2015

Harry Cohen is the establishment favorite to win re-election to his South Tampa District 4 seat next month. The 44-year-old lawyer and former chief deputy clerk of the Circuit Court for Hillsborough County (where he still works on a part-time basis) has been endorsed by all the major newspapers, and some observers speculate that he may be […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 12, 2015

Harry Cohen is the establishment favorite to win re-election to his South Tampa District 4 seat next month. The 44-year-old lawyer and former chief deputy clerk of the Circuit Court for Hillsborough County (where he still works on a part-time basis) has been endorsed by all the major newspapers, and some observers speculate that he may be […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2015

Fueled by a well-attended fundraiser at Tampa insurance executive Guy King‘s palatial estate off of Bayshore Boulevard this past month, Jackie Toledo has become the first person running for city council this winter who has raised more than $100,000 ($102,832 to be precise). The District 6 hopeful dominates the fundraising race over her two opponents, […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 9, 2015

You might recall that in August of 2012, thousands of Republicans and journalists flooding Tampa for the Republican National Convention were greeted with a billboard that read,” “Welcome to Tampa! Where the mayor and all city council members are DEMOCRATS.” It was the Cigar City’s time to shine, and a point of pride for a state party […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 16, 2015

The field is set for this winter’s municipal elections in Tampa, and there will be no contests in two races. Lisa Montelione in District 7 and Frank Reddick 5 did not have anybody qualify against them by the noon deadline, and thus they have been re-elected for four more years. Here’s how it looks overall. […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 16, 2015

The field is set for this winter’s municipal elections in Tampa, and there will be no contests in two races. Lisa Montelione in District 7 and Frank Reddick 5 did not have anybody qualify against them by the noon deadline, and thus they have been re-elected for four more years. Here’s how it looks overall. […]

Tag: Kent King
Lara Trump, DOnald Trump and Melania Trump. Image via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 3.3.15 — Democracy now in Tampa

Early voting begins in Tampa but turnout expectation is low

Transit talk dominates discussion at Tampa Downtown Partnership City Council forum

Mitch Perry Report for 2.13.15 – RIP, David Carr

Kent King says he can better serve Tampa’s District 4 on City Council

Kent King says he can better serve Tampa's District 4 on City Council

Jackie Toledo continues to lead all Tampa City Council candidates in fundraising

FDP goes after GOP Tampa City Council candidates

Frank Reddick & Lisa Montelione automatically win re-election in Tampa City Council races

Frank Reddick & Lisa Montelione automatically win re-election in Tampa City Council races