Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJune 22, 2016

Attend a political function anywhere in Pinellas County and it’s almost inevitable you’ll see one name consistently listed as a sponsor. That is, other than Bill Edwards. The name is Alan Suskey of Suskey Consulting, the governmental affairs firm based in Tallahassee, but with deep roots in Pinellas. Of course, Suskey doesn’t have the millions of dollars Edwards has, so […]

Keith MorelliJune 8, 2016

Besides the toll taken on the humans of Florida, Tropical Storm Colin claimed what may be hundreds of sea turtle nests buried beneath the sands along the state’s Gulf Coast, wildlife advocates say. “There was damage,” said Joe Widlansky, sea turtle biologist with Sea Turtle Trackers, a group in Pinellas County that monitors the marine […]

Anne LindbergMay 10, 2016

Back in June, county commissioners made a historic decision: They created the first community redevelopment area in unincorporated Pinellas County. It was a move that, for years, was unthinkable with Pinellas officials saying they would never sanction a CRA in unincorporated Pinellas. CRAs were something cities did. That changed under a county administration and commission […]

Gary FineoutMay 7, 2016

A charter school management company which has operated schools statewide was indicted this week by a Florida Panhandle grand jury, accused of fraudulently billing a charter school for supplies, equipment and services. The charges of grand theft, money laundering and aggravated white collar crime were announced Thursday by State Attorney Bill Eddins against the management […]

Drew WilsonApril 27, 2016

State Sen. Jeff Brandes is hosting a kickoff reception Wednesday evening for his re-election effort. More than three dozen current and former local officials are on the host committee for the event, set for the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Host committee members include Republican Reps. Larry Ahern, Chris Latvala, Kathleen Peters, Chris Sprowls and Dana Young, as well as former Rep. Frank […]

Darryl PaulsonApril 26, 2016

In a typical election cycle, about 90 percent of House members and 70 percent of U.S. senators win re-election. As has often been noted, Americans hate Congress, but love their own representative. In the 2016 congressional election in Florida, close to half of the delegation will be replaced. As David Wasserman of the Cook Political […]

Darryl PaulsonApril 25, 2016

In a typical election cycle, about 90 percent of House members and 70 percent of U.S. senators win re-election. As has often been noted, Americans hate Congress, but love their own representative. In the 2016 congressional election in Florida, close to half of the delegation will be replaced. As David Wasserman of the Cook Political […]

Ryan RayMarch 10, 2016

New data from Public Policy Polling released Thursday shows former Gov. Charlie Crist leading former Obama administration official Eric Lynn by 60 points in a Democratic primary race for the open 13th Congressional District seat in Pinellas County. Crist leads Lynn by a margin of 71 percent to 11 percent among likely Democratic voters polled on March 8-9, with 18 […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

A bill intended to end a fight between the state and several counties over juvenile detention costs passed the Florida Senate on Monday. The measure (SB 1322), sponsored by state Sen. Jack Latvala, was approved on a 38-0 vote. It requires “non-fiscally constrained counties,” generally more affluent, urban areas, to pay a total of $42.5 million for all detention […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

An appellate court has said “pay up” to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in a financial dispute with Pinellas County over the cost of “secure juvenile detention care.” The 1st District Court of Appeal, in an opinion released Thursday, ruled against the department in a case the judges noted was “one of many now pending before this […]

Tag: Pinellas County

Alan Suskey aiming to be Pinellas’ man in Tallahassee

Tropical Storm Colin claims hundreds of sea turtle nests on Gulf Coast

Lealman improvement plan moves forward

Florida grand jury indicts charter school management company

Who’s who of Pinellas politics join Jeff Brandes for campaign kickoff in St. Pete

Darryl Paulson: Florida’s congressional elections: The changing of the guard

Darryl Paulson: Florida’s congressional elections: The changing of the guard

New PPP poll: Charlie Crist leads Eric Lynn 71%-11% in CD-13 primary

Juvenile detention cost-sharing measure passes Senate

Pinellas County wins a round in money dispute with state