Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Julie DelegalNovember 5, 2015

Some whites’ approach to the #BlackLivesMatter movement presumes a zero-sum game: If one group is “awarded” national attention on any issue, the reasoning goes, then other groups by contrast, necessarily must lose something. But #BlackLivesMatter doesn’t mean that only black lives matter. It means, rather, that we can no longer pretend that institutions in our […]

Peter SchorschNovember 2, 2015

When Jack Latvala isn’t pulling in a six-figure monthly haul for his political committee, it would appears he’s hard at work pulling in a six-figure monthly haul for his re-election campaign. Latvala’s campaign has pulled in $172,752 in the first 19 days it was in operation, and only spent $6,090, leaving his campaign account with $166,662 cash […]

Peter SchorschOctober 25, 2015

After his testimony in front of the Senate panel on redistricting Friday, a lot of Alachua, Pasco, Sarasota and Volusia voters probably wish Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala was their senator, too. Latvala doesn’t sit on the Senate Reapportionment Committee and instead had to sign up to speak during the panel’s public comment time. During his […]

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

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Making the Tampa Bay region look like a game of Twister, Senate Rules Chairman David Simmons late Thursday filed his own proposed map redrawing the state’s Senate districts. For instance, Simmons’ map creates a 16th District that takes in about the same area currently represented by GOP Sen. Jack Latvala of Clearwater, not by jumping the bay, […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2015

Republican activist and perpetual candidate Sharon Russ has filed to run for the heavily Democratic House District 70 seat held by termed-out Rep. Daryl Rouson. Russ is no stranger to politics, at least in the Pinellas County portion of the district: She ran for St. Petersburg mayor in 2009 and challenged Karl Nurse for city […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 13, 2015

While thinning files last week, I came across one labeled “Crist” and wondered whether to dump it. After successive losses for the U.S. Senate and for governor again, hadn’t Charlie reached the end of the line? No, I thought, something will happen to bring him back. The next day, something did. It was the Florida […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 13, 2015

While thinning files last week, I came across one labeled “Crist” and wondered whether to dump it. After successive losses for the U.S. Senate and for governor again, hadn’t Charlie reached the end of the line? No, I thought, something will happen to bring him back. The next day, something did. It was the Florida […]

Ryan RayMay 21, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday afternoon granted final approval to a measure sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes aimed at increasing flexibility and lowering premiums on flood insurance. SB 1094 was co-sponsored by Brandes’ fellow Pinellas County Republican Rep. Larry Ahern. Brandes and Ahern both represent moderate coastal districts where flood insurance is among voters’ highest priorities. Brandes has […]

Staff ReportsMay 7, 2015

A measure sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes aimed at increasing flexibility and lowering premiums on insurance premiums has made it as far as the governor’s office, where it sits pending his approval. SB 1094 replaced the House version sponsored by fellow Pinellas County Republican Rep. Larry Ahern. Brandes and Ahern both represent moderate coastal districts where […]

Suzette PorterApril 11, 2015

Results of Pinellas County’s annual study of its residents’ values shows signs of improvement. Sarah Lindemuth, senior research director with HCP & Associates, presented results from the telephone survey to commissioners during their March 24 meeting. The survey took place Jan. 26-Feb. 11. Calls were made to 200 residents in four demographic areas: north, central, […]

Tag: Pinellas County

Julie Delegal: Being black matters, researcher says

Jack Latvala raises more than $172K in first 19 days of re-election campaign

Must-watch: Jack Latvala blasts proposed Senate maps in committee testimony

David Simmons files map for Senate redistricting

Perennial GOP candidate Sharon Russ files in HD 70 race

The irony of how redistricting has resurrected Charlie Crist

Martin Dyckman: Redistricting irony: The resurrection of Charlie Crist

Rick Scott signs flood insurance flexibility bill into law

Flood insurance flexibility bill goes to Rick Scott for likely approval

Survey finds Pinellas residents mostly content