Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 7, 2016

Who knew Hillary Clinton was a fan of the University of South Florida Bulls? “Hello, Tampa! Hello, USF! I know I’m only the second-most exciting thing that’s happened here in the last few days. Your big win to open your football season got some attention,” the Democratic presidential nominee said to the audience who gathered […]

Associated PressSeptember 6, 2016

Donald Trump spoke to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi before his charity cut a 2013 check to support her re-election effort, but his campaign said Tuesday the two never discussed whether her office would join a lawsuit against Trump University. Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks clarified details of the conversation one day after the Republican presidential […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 5, 2016

Lost amid Hurricane Hermine coverage, the Washington Post reported Donald Trump ponied up a $2,500 penalty to the IRS after his charitable foundation broke the law by giving a contribution to one of Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s political fundraising panels. The Post last Thursday reported that the Republican presidential nominee “filed paperwork informing the IRS of the political gift and […]

Jim RosicaAugust 30, 2016

Sydney Ridley, former House Republican leader Dana Young’s right-hand woman, is leaving to head government and regulatory affairs for Frontier Communications’ Florida operations. Ridley, who will be based in Tampa, “will represent Frontier’s Florida interests, involving extensive interaction and advocacy with public officials to include state and federal legislators (and) state agency representatives,” according […]

Mitch PerryAugust 29, 2016

Tampa Bay Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor expressed disappointment Monday that only 13 percent of eligible voters in Hillsborough County have voted by mail or at the polls heading into Election Day on Tuesday, the last day to vote in this year’s primary election. “We can do a lot better,” said Castor, who will face Republican Christine Quinn when she runs for her seat […]

Mitch PerryAugust 25, 2016

Donald Trump was in Tampa yesterday, in case you didn’t hear about it — and he continued to “reach out” to minority communities in his speech. Of course, saying, “I say to the African-American parent, you have a right to walk down the street in the inner city, without having your child or yourself shot” may not […]

Mitch PerryAugust 24, 2016

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(Update – see below) Hours before Donald Trump will speak to thousands of followers in Tampa, an activist group is calling on the Department of Justice to investigate one of his biggest local supporters, Attorney General Pam Bondi. Trump is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds Wednesday, and if it’s like his […]

Mitch PerryAugust 23, 2016

Donald Trump calls himself “the law and order candidate,” so one shouldn’t be surprised about his reaction to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe‘s announcement yesterday that he had signed papers restoring the voting rights of nearly 13,000 ex-felons. Tump accused McAuliffe of “getting thousands of violent felons to the voting booth in an effort to cancel out the votes of both law […]

Martin DyckmanAugust 19, 2016

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Some Republicans to whom Donald Trump is the skunk at their garden party would have you elect him president nevertheless. Mark Sanford is one. When last heard of, he was the governor of South Carolina, canoodling with a mistress in Argentina while his office pretended that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. Now he’s a […]

Mitch PerryAugust 15, 2016

Although both have a primary election to get through in two weeks, Patrick Murphy and Marco Rubio are acting like the general election for U.S. Senate is already on. That was evident in Tampa Monday morning, when the Jupiter Democrat denied he was overlooking Alan Grayson and the Aug. 30 primary, but then immediately lit into […]

Tag: Pam bondi
Image via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 9.7.16 — Pam Bondi’s reluctance to investigate Trump University resurfaces on the campaign trail

Donald Trump seeks distance from donation supporting Pam Bondi

WaPo: Donald Trump pays IRS penalty for Pam Bondi contribution

Personnel note: Sydney Ridley joins Frontier Communications

On eve of primary election, Kathy Castor laments low turnout so far in Hillsborough County

Mitch Perry Report for 8.25.16 — Is Donald Trump reversing himself on his signature issue of immigration?

As Donald Trump returns to Tampa, Progress Florida calls again for DOJ to investigate Pam Bondi

Mitch Perry Report for 8.23.16 — Terry McAuliffe fulfills his promise

Martin Dyckman: Supreme Court nominees no reason to elect Donald Trump

In Tampa, Patrick Murphy says Marco Rubio is running to be President, not a full-time Senator