Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 12, 2016

Patrick Murphy and Marco Rubio announced Monday they would debate three times and participate in a separate campaign forum, bringing an end to speculation Murphy was reluctant to engage in debates with the GOP Senate incumbent. However, there’s still a dispute about how many events they will actually have, because Rubio says two of the events have ties to Murphy supporters. […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 1, 2016

I think I speak for a lot of Florida political observers in expressing my disappointment that, for whatever reason, Patrick Murphy never debated his Democratic Senate opponents, Pam Keith and Alan Grayson, during the just-concluded primary campaign. Murphy avoided debates organized by Florida Public Radio stations and Bay News 9/News 13 in Orlando well before […]

Mitch PerryAugust 31, 2016

Although Pam Keith was always in the Senate race to win it, she won’t deny the sense of satisfaction she felt Wednesday, even though she came up well short of defeating Patrick Murphy for the Democratic nomination. Keith captured more than 173,000 votes in the Florida Democratic Primary, finishing less than 2.5 percent behind Alan […]

Mitch PerryAugust 31, 2016

Good morning, everyone. Florida’s primary election is history. So, where to begin? Patrick Murphy will face Marco Rubio in November. Murphy crushed Alan Grayson, 59 to 18 percent, with Pam Keith a close third at 15 percent. Rubio gets credit for honesty, saying that he can’t say for sure that he’ll fulfill all six years of his term if elected, […]

Scott PowersAugust 30, 2016

Florida’s Democrats Tuesday picked U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy’s youth, moderate politics and well-oiled campaign machine to battle with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat this fall. Murphy, 33, of Palm Beach Gardens, crushed U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson of Orlando and lawyer Pam Keith of Miami in what had been a cutthroat primary […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

Primary Election Day is here, finally, for those of us who care. Because that isn’t close to the majority of registered voters in Florida. Going into today, the turnout by percentage via early and absentee voting here in Hillsborough County where I’m located was lower than it turned out to be in 2012, which Congresswoman Kathy Castor […]

Mitch PerryAugust 29, 2016

Patrick Murphy says if he is elected to the U.S. Senate in November, he’ll push to provide a public option to the Affordable Care Act. “At least in rural areas, where you don’t have much competition,” the Jupiter representative and Senate Democratic hopeful said on while making a campaign stop on Monday morning in West […]

Mitch PerryAugust 19, 2016

Donald Trump could earn a big PR move today. He’s scheduled to travel to Louisiana to visit the flood-ravaged areas. Meanwhile, President Obama enjoys the last days of his summer vacation, golfing with Larry David. The Miami Herald is making a little news this morning. The paper’s editorial board is dismissing both Patrick Murphy and […]

Mitch PerryAugust 18, 2016

There’s more news about the Affordable Care Act this week, and it ain’t that good. Aetna announced Tuesday it would be pulling out of Florida and 10 other states next year, giving those on the government plan less options for choice here in the Sunshine State. There have always been problems with the ACA, and […]

Mitch PerryAugust 17, 2016

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) PAC is endorsing Patrick Murphy for U.S. Senate, and Pam Keith isn’t impressed. Murphy said he was proud to get the backing of the caucus Wednesday, saying, “In the Senate, I will fight for our progressive priorities, like fixing our broken criminal justice system, raising the minimum wage, and strengthening our middle class for hardworking […]

Patrick Murphy to debate Marco Rubio two times before Nov 8 election

Mitch Perry Report for 9.1.16 —The debate about the debates begins in Florida

With more than 173,000 votes, Senate hopeful Pam Keith says she feels like a winner

Mitch Perry Report for 8.31.16 — Moving on to November

Patrick Murphy easily wins Democratic nod for U.S. Senate race

Mitch Perry Report for 8.30.16 — Election Day questions

Patrick Murphy says he’ll push for public option to be added to ACA if elected to the Senate

Mitch Perry Report for 8.19.16 — Herald makes surprise endorsement in Florida Senate primary

Mitch Perry Report for 8.18.16 — The Affordable Care Act is getting less affordable

Pam Keith slams Congressional Black Caucus’ endorsement of Patrick Murphy for Senate