Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 5, 2018

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A proposed 41-mile, rapid transit line through Tampa hit a speed bump Monday when the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) board voted to keep the HART staff neutral and not involved in the public outreach effort. While that sounds innocuous enough, the fact of the matter was that there was heavy sentiment against the so-called “regional […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2018

Ken Hagan has built a formidable war chest as he attempts to parlay name recognition and extensive local government experience into staying on the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners for another term this year. Challenger Angela Birdsong, however, is not deterred. “He has amassed a lot of power and money and friends, but I think that things […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 29, 2018

Victor Crist is hitting back hard at comments from Democrat Mariella Smith and her campaign over his intention to extend his career on the Hillsborough County Commission by running for the District 5 countywide seat. Smith is one of five Democrats seeking an opportunity this year to take on the GOP incumbent this fall. The Smith […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 25, 2018

Five Democrats have already filed for the Hillsborough County Commission District 5 seat, but there’s no doubt the Party establishment is putting all their chips behind community activist Mariella Smith. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, former Education Commissioner Betty Castor and current County Commissioner Pat Kemp were part of Smith’s kickoff event Tuesday night. An audience of around […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 19, 2018

A transportation plan for the Tampa Bay area that would use bus rapid transit (BRT) and not rail to move riders from Wesley Chapel in Pasco County to downtown St. Petersburg was introduced to the public Friday. Called a “catalyst” project because of the hopes that it would jumpstart transit planning in the region, the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2018

In past election cycles, the Hillsborough County Democratic Party struggled to field legitimate candidates to challenge Republicans in local and statewide elections. This year, that’s not the case, with the county’s District 5 race a shining example. No fewer than five Democrats have filed to run in the (theoretically) open countywide seat, where the biggest […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2018

South Hillsborough County environmental activist Mariella Smith has officially filed to run as a Democrat in the Hillsborough Commission District 5 race. The announcement is no surprise, as the 63-year-old Ruskin resident announced in November that she was likely to file at the beginning of the year officially, in what will be her first bid […]

Tag: Pat Kemp

Hillsborough lawmakers pleased with changes to HART routes

Hillsborough Republicans choose new chair Tuesday

Victor Crist leads all candidates in HCC District 5 fundraising

Hillsborough transit authority speaks critically of proposed BRT line

Angela Birdsong not intimidated by Ken Hagan’s fundraising

Victor Crist calls Mariella Smith a ‘political wannabe’ with little to show for herself

Mariella Smith says facing Victor Crist is like ‘David and Goliath’

Rapid transit plan – Wesley Chapel to St. Pete – gets unveiled

Hillsborough Democrats host District 5 forum, first for 2018

‘Smart growth’ candidate Mariella Smith running for Hillsborough County Commission