Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 14, 2018

Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp is warning constituents not to buy into claims that merging local Metropolitan Planning Organizations is a good idea. Kemp described the concept as an attack on local power on Friday during Cafe Con Tampa, a community forum held at the Oxford Exchange to inform residents of issues facing their communities. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 5, 2018

Hillsborough County now has a funding framework in place to fund half of a new baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. However, the team has yet to say whether or not they are willing to play ball. The plan would leverage private investment to avoid taxpayer subsidies. If the team rejects the deal, there […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 30, 2018

Newly elected Hillsborough County Commissioner Mariella Smith is endorsing Ed Turanchik for Mayor of Tampa. “Ed Turanchik is a very rare combination of visionary, pragmatist and fiscal conservative,” Smith said during a campaign fundraiser for Turanchik at Jackson’s Bistro Thursday night. Turanchik is running in a crowded field to replace Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn who […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 22, 2018

Kimberly Overman, the Democrat running for the countywide Hillsborough County Commission District 7 seat, is getting financial backing from transit activists, according to the latest campaign finance reports covering October 6-12. Tampa residents Michelle Cookson and Mauricio Rosas both contributed small donations to Overman’s campaign. Hillsborough County Commission incumbent Pat Kemp also kicked in $100 […]

Phil AmmannApril 10, 2018

Ed Turanchik launched his bid for Tampa Mayor in style. The Tampa attorney/developer/transit activist raised more than $155,000 through the end of March, as well as drawing more than 500 people to a campaign kickoff event held last week. “I am thrilled and humbled by the support our campaign has received,” Turanchik said Tuesday. “We […]

Mitch PerryMarch 7, 2018

Commissioner Les Miller‘s proposal to have Hillsborough County ban assault weapons died Wednesday after failing to pick up a second vote from the County Commission. The five-member board did come out to support a measure extending the waiting period to buy a firearm in the county from three days to five, as well as voting to advance new […]

Mitch PerryMarch 6, 2018

Ed Turanchik is making an early statement in his quest to succeed Bob Buckhorn as Tampa mayor in 2019. The attorney/developer/transit activist announced Tuesday he already raised more than $100,000 since declaring his candidacy February 2. “I’m so humbled by the strong show of support from our city just one month into our campaign,” said Turanchik. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2018

As a consequence of funding issues, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) made sweeping changes to its bus system last fall, cutting nearly 20 percent of all routes.The decision alienated some County Commissioners, unhappy with the level of service reductions in their districts. HART staff heard those objections loud and clear, saying they intended […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2018

For years, the Hillsborough GOP dominated local politics. However, over the past few years, their grip has begun to loosen. Long known as a bellwether in presidential elections, Hillsborough went big for Hillary Clinton in 2016, while the rest of the state went for Donald Trump. And while local Republicans won all of the county’s legislative elections, former federal […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2018

Republican Victor Crist is the closest thing to an incumbent in the District 5 race this fall, as he has served on the Hillsborough County Commission for the past eight years in District 2. He’s now switching to District 5 to run countywide for the first time, and has taken in $76,905 so far. Among […]

Tag: Pat Kemp

Pat Kemp rejects plan to merge Bay area transportation planning groups

Ybor City Rays stadium deal has a funding plan, but it might not be enough

Mariella Smith backs Ed Turanchik for Tampa Mayor

Campaign finance activity boosts Kimberly Overman as pro-transit candidate

Ed Turanchik kicks off campaign for Tampa Mayor with $155K, big crowds

Hillsborough Commission rejects assault weapons ban

Ed Turanchik raises more than $100K during first month on Tampa mayor campaign trail

Hillsborough lawmakers pleased with changes to HART routes

Hillsborough Republicans choose new chair Tuesday

Victor Crist leads all candidates in HCC District 5 fundraising