Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 21, 2017

Besides, maybe, New York City or Washington, D.C., there really is no better place from which to write about politics than Tampa Bay. One reason is that there are so many competitive congressional and legislative seats in the region. And what’s spent to win those seats is oftentimes as much as the amount spent to […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

A proposal by Port Orange Republican Dorothy Hukill to require high-school students to take a half-credit of instruction in personal financial literacy and money management easily won approval in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K-12 Education on Wednesday. However, several lawmakers expressed reservations about the fact that unless lawmakers extend the hours of the school day or […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

There are a number of bills floating in the Florida Legislature this year that deal with criminal justice reform, but one that has law enforcement completely flummoxed is a bill that would remove their discretion to charge a minor regarding a variety of first-time offenses. Miami Republican Senator Anitere Flores‘ bill (SB 196) requires a law enforcement […]

Mitch PerryMarch 8, 2017

Legislation to create a statewide civil citation program for juveniles statewide advanced in a Florida Senate Committee Wednesday. But members of the police and sheriffs association continue to resist the bill as currently drawn. Miami Republican Senator Anitere Flores’ bill (SB 196) would mandate law enforcement officers to offer a civil citation for youths admitting to one of 11 […]

Staff ReportsMarch 8, 2017

Voters across the state will be getting robo-calls blasting their representative for voting for a bill to kill Enterprise Florida. POLITICO Florida reported that Let’s Get to Work, the political committee backing Gov. Rick Scott, has funded another round of robocalls hitting Republicans who voted for a bill (HB 7005) that would eliminate Enterprise Florida […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2017

Nick DiCeglie confirmed Wednesday he is running for House District 66 in 2018. The Pinellas County Republican Party Chairman will make a formal announcement sometime this spring. When asked if he would run for office, DiCeglie told FloridaPolitics.com: “I’m really focused right now on my duties as chairman.” But with nearly a year and a half before […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2017

Former Pinellas County Assistant State Attorney Berny Jacques announced today that he is running for the Florida House District 66. The seat is currently occupied by Republican Larry Ahern, who is term-limited from running again. “I’ve had the great privilege of serving this area as a prosecutor, in community service groups, and as a grassroots conservative leader. As a proud first […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 19, 2017

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Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper is assembling an impressive number of high-profile state lawmakers for a Tallahassee reception next month. Hooper, a former state representative, is seeking the open Senate District 16 seat currently held by Jack Latvala. Hooper’s campaign fundraiser will be Monday, March 6, from 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Governors Club, 202 South Adams […]

Anne LindbergDecember 2, 2016

Responding to a request from Charlie Justice, the Pinellas Legislative Delegation will consider changing the way members of the Construction Licensing Board are chosen. State Sen. Jack Latvala, the delegation chair, called on state Rep. Larry Ahern to come up with a plan by the delegation’s Jan. 31 meeting. State Sen. Jeff Brandes said he […]

Peter SchorschNovember 6, 2016

On Friday, candidates released their final campaign finance reports before Election Day, and reports out of Senate District 18 show Tampa Republican Rep. Dana Young pressing her fundraising advantage in the race with $1.2 million in spending. Young spent more than $500,000 of campaign’s war chest in between Oct. 22 and Nov. 3, most of […]

Tag: Larry Ahern
Rodney Guttman, image via University of West Florida.

Here’s where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay politics — the ‘this place is the best’ edition

Senate advances high school financial literacy bill

Law enforcement says Anitere Flores’ civil citations proposal still ‘a non-starter’

Bill to expand juvenile civil citations advances in Senate, law enforcement continues to resist

Report: Rick Scott committee releases robocall targeting Republicans who support killing Enterprise Florida

Pinellas GOP chief Nick DiCeglie confirms he will run for Florida House

Berny Jacques announces his candidacy for HD 66 seat in Pinellas County

Impressive roster of GOP leaders line up for Ed Hooper fundraiser

Pinellas Legislative Delegation to consider changes to construction licensing board

Final round-up of the money chase in Tampa Bay’s legislative races