Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2015

Julie Jones: The head of the embattled state Department of Corrections has been making headlines since her appointment this January, and 2016 promises a no less busy year. Reports of inmate deaths and abuses and criminal activity behind bars have been unfortunate staples of prisons coverage. Earlier this year, Republican state Sen. Greg Evers grew so concerned […]

Mitch PerryNovember 30, 2015

Lisa Montelione said it was “excruciatingly hard” to decide to give up her Tampa City Council seat next year, but that’s what will happen now that she’s decided to run for the Florida Legislature in 2016. She’ll take on fellow Democrat Mike Reedy in the House District 63 primary next August, with the winner to […]

Mitch PerryNovember 10, 2015

Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione, who was just re-elected without opposition to a second four-year term in her District 7 seat this past winter, said Tuesday she’s running for the Democratic nomination for the House District 63 race, a seat now held by Republican incumbent Shawn Harrison. “The issues facing our city and the entire […]

Mitch PerryMay 28, 2015

I couldn’t be happier this morning, after staying up until midnight last night to see my lifelong basketball team, the Golden State Warriors, defeat the Houston Rockets, and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1975. Of course, there’s a guy by the name of LeBron James who stands in their way […]

Mitch PerryMay 27, 2015

The consensus amongst political pundits in Florida is that state Republicans won’t be hurt by the budget impasse that led the Legislature to break three days early last month. Those observers, though, acknowledge it could make a difference on the margins, in those few swing legislative districts across the state. One is House District 63, occupied […]

Mitch PerryMay 18, 2015

In a letter published on Sunday in The Tampa Tribune’s editorial section, Tampa House District 63 Republican Shawn Harrison writes that he is “open to a plan for private health coverage that draws down federal dollars with reasonable review, opt-out and sunset provisions included. Perhaps that can be some trial version of the Senate plan. “ […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 30, 2015

In recent years, Florida House District 63 has become that rarity in state politics, a full-fledged swing district in Hillsborough County. Republican Shawn Harrison defeated Democratic incumbent Mark Danish there last November, a reversal of the 2010 contest when Danish bested the then-GOP incumbent. Harrison originally won the seat in 2010 over Democrat Russ Paterson. Now […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 8, 2015

Last month, Wyoming Governor Matt Mead became the latest Republican governor to say that he would press his state legislature to act on a Medicaid expansion plan. Wyoming is one of a handful of Republican-led states that has negotiated with the federal Department of Health and Human Services to come up with their own version of […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 8, 2015

Last month, Wyoming Governor Matt Mead became the latest Republican governor to say that he would press his state legislature to act on a Medicaid expansion plan. Wyoming is one of a handful of Republican-led states that has negotiated with the federal Department of Health and Human Services to come up with their own version of […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2014

A rumored floor challenge to the lone candidate for the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee failed to materialize Thursday night, allowing Elizabeth Belcher to win the position without opposition. Belcher has been involved with the DEC since 2008. She became more involved with local politics retiring from a 27-year career as a special agent with […]

Tag: Mark Danish

Jim Rosica’s 5 people to watch in state government in 2016

Lisa Montelione feels confident in HD 63 Democratic primary versus Mike Reedy

Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione files to run in state HD 63 race

Mitch Perry Report for 5.28.15 — Are you ready for a George Pataki candidacy?

Mike Reedy says Shawn Harrison showed no leadership in 2015 Legislative Session

Shawn Harrison a rare GOP House member “open” to Medicaid expansion plan

Democrat Mike Reedy enters HD 63 race

Medicaid expansion advocates march to Tampa state Rep. Shawn Harrison’s office

Medicaid expansion advocates march to Tampa state Rep. Shawn Harrison's office

Elizabeth Belcher selected as Hillsborough County Democratic Party chair