Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 4, 2018

Former state Rep. Ed Hooper continued piling on to his fundraising lead in the race for Senate District 16, adding $37,156 to his war chest last week. Hooper, a Clearwater Republican, is running against former state Rep. Amanda Murphy, a New Port Richey Democrat, for the Pinellas and Pasco-based state Senate seat that was held […]

Drew WilsonJuly 18, 2018

Former Clearwater Rep. Ed Hooper added another backer for his state Senate bid Wednesday, landing the support of the political arm of the Florida Medical Association. “The FMA PAC is proud to endorse Ed Hooper for Senate District 16. During his time in the House, the FMA worked very closely with him and he was a […]

Drew WilsonJune 12, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper narrowly outraised New Port Richey Democrat Amanda Murphy in her first month running for Senate District 16. Hooper raised $43,575 in hard money and tacked on another $24,590 through his committee, Friends of Ed Hooper, for a total of $68,165 raised in May. After about $12,000 in spending, Hooper’s accounts ended […]

Drew WilsonMay 7, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper announced a fundraiser for his Senate campaign next week in Palm Harbor. The May 9 event will be held from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Catcher and the Rye, 917 11th St. More than two dozen names are listed on the host committee, including attorney Ed Armstrong, accountant Steve Bunch, […]

Drew WilsonMay 5, 2018

Amanda Murphy is back. The Pasco Democrat on Friday told Florida Politics she is running for the state Senate. The former state Representative said she was “sick and tired” of what’s happening in Tallahassee and that she wants to be back there to “fight the good fight.” Look for her to file as soon as Monday. The […]

Drew WilsonApril 21, 2018

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper announced Friday that the Florida Fraternal Order of Police District 3 Lodges have endorsed his campaign for state Senate. “Ed Hooper has shown his support for first responders. Now the members of the Fraternal Order of Police, District 3 lodges are glad to support him in his bid for the State […]

Mitch PerryMarch 2, 2018

After the Parkland mass shooting two weeks ago, Bernie Fensterwald is more determined than ever to win in Senate District 16. As proof, the Dunedin Democrat is putting $25,000 of his own money into the campaign. “I’m 100 percent committed to this race, and I’m willing to prove it,” Fensterwald announced Friday. “The tragedy in Parkland […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2018

Palm Harbor resident Leo Karruli has entered the race for state Senate District 16, the seat recently vacated by embattled Sen. Jack Latvala. Karruli, 50, owns Leo’s Italian Grill on U.S. 19 in Palm Harbor. He is a Queens, New York native who moved to Pinellas County in 1991. In a brief phone interview with Florida Politics, Karruli said […]

Ed Hooper clears $650K raised, Amanda Murphy cracks $100K in SD 16 battle

Florida Medical Association recommends Ed Hooper for SD 16

Ed Hooper edges out Amanda Murphy in May fundraising

Fundraiser for Ed Hooper this Wednesday in Palm Harbor

She’s back: Amanda Murphy to square off against Ed Hooper for north Pinellas state Senate seat

Police union backs Ed Hooper for Senate

After Parkland, Bernie Fensterwald determined to win state Senate race

Restaurateur Leo Karruli files to run for Jack Latvala’s Senate seat