Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 17, 2018

Republican Aakash Patel announced Tuesday that the first TV ad backing his Hillsborough County Commission campaign is already hitting the airwaves. The 30-second spot, entitled “A Better Hillsborough,” features a half dozen Hillsborough residents saying what they are looking for out of the next commissioner to hold the countywide District 7 seat. “My county commissioner […]

Drew WilsonJuly 2, 2018

Tampa Republican Aakash Patel posted his fifth consecutive report showing more than $25,000 raised for his Hillsborough County Commission campaign. The District 7 candidate added $14,750 for his political committee, Elevate Tampa, and another $13,000 for his campaign account, for a total haul of $27,750 during last month. Those figures include contributions for the last […]

Drew WilsonJune 19, 2018

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Tampa Republican Aakash Patel notched another significant endorsement for his Hillsborough County Commission campaign Tuesday, this time from Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I am happy to offer my support and endorsement to Aakash Patel as he makes his initial run for Hillsborough County Commission,” Bondi said. “I have known Aakash since he returned to Tampa after […]

Drew WilsonJune 15, 2018

Tampa Republican Aakash Patel snagged an endorsement from House Speaker Richard Corcoran in his bid for the countywide District 7 seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. “I’ve gotten to know Aakash through his work with the Early Learning Coalition and have seen him put conservative initiatives to work to bring early education to more children […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

February fundraising reports show the four sitting Hillsborough County Commissioners who’ll be on the ballot in 2018 are far ahead in fundraising for their respective races. Commissioner Ken Hagan’s campaign account is the most flush of all, with more $458,000 in the bank, including $3,750 raised last month. Hagan, a Republican, currently holds the countywide […]

Mitch PerryMarch 2, 2018

Only 16 days ago, a mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School took the lives of 14 high school students and three adults. Nevertheless, some believe the gun control debate is “over.” That’s what Cafe Con Tampa head Bill Carlson was told when announcing the weekly lecture series would focus on three Hillsborough County students […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2018

Kay Akins is still “pissed off” about Donald Trump‘s election more than a year ago. “It gets worse every day.” The Naperville, Illinois resident joined thousands of protesters Sunday in what felt like a seismic level of antipathy for the President of the United States, felt in both St. Petersburg and many parts of the country. A […]

Mitch PerryNovember 3, 2017

A proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to automatically restore some felons’ voting rights appears more likely than ever to come before Florida voters next year. But ballot access is only one step toward becoming law. The amendment must pass with 60 percent of voters next November — no sure thing since it will likely face […]

Mitch PerryJune 22, 2016

Our latest form of participatory democracy takes place in Tampa tonight, where scores of people will comment on whether or not the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization should include the Tampa Bay Express project in what is known as their Transportation Improvement Plan. If past is prologue, the majority of speakers will be against the project, and the MPO […]

Tag: Kimberly Overman

Aakash Patel rolls out first ad for Hillsborough Commission bid

Aakash Patel adds $28K for Hillsborough Commission campaign

Pam Bondi endorses Aakash Patel for Hillsborough Commission

Richard Corcoran backs Aakash Patel for Hillsborough Commission

Hillsborough Commissioners hold big leads in re-election battles

Hillsborough students say they’ve only just begun to focus on gun control

Thousands gather in St. Petersburg for Women’s March

Tampa attorney argues against proposed voter restoration amendment

Mitch Perry Report for 6.22.16 — TBX showdown tonight