Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 15, 2017

Near the end of Rick Baker‘s 36-minute speech announcing a re-election challenge to Mayor Rick Kriseman, the former two-term mayor invoked his mantra of St. Petersburg being a “seamless city” — and that includes the LGBT community. “A lot has been said about me and the LGBT community by my opponent and by others,” he said on the […]

Peter SchorschMay 9, 2017

It’s been seven years since Rick Baker exited City Hall as its most powerful, successful mayor. Hardly a day has gone by that someone — perhaps this site more so than anywhere else — has wondered whether he’d have to, like Cincinnatus, come in from the fields to save the city he loves. Today, St. Petersburg […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2017

Rumors continue to circulate that former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker will soon announce his candidacy to challenge incumbent Rick Kriseman in November. If so, Baker may need to do it as soon as this week, as Kriseman continues to extend his financial advantage. The Kriseman campaign announced Monday that the campaign and an associated committee combined to […]

Peter SchorschApril 10, 2017

As coy as he has been with the local media and as busy as he is promoting the Rowdies referendum, Rick Baker is almost certain to run for St. Petersburg mayor this year. Last week, Baker was in Tallahassee for a series of not-exactly-clandestine meetings with top Republican donors like Brian Ballard and Nick Iarossi. […]

Peter SchorschApril 4, 2017

During a recent interview with the Tampa Bay Times editorial board, Rick Baker said there were no plans for direct mail or other campaign spending to win a May 2 referendum to negotiate a 25-year lease with the city to expand Al Lang Stadium. That’s because Baker, the former St. Petersburg mayor and president of the Edwards Group […]

Staff ReportsApril 3, 2017

If the results of a new poll are any indication, Floridians just aren’t that interested the 2018 gubernatorial election. The survey — conducted March 28 through March 29 by Gravis Marketing for The Orlando Political Observer — found 36 percent of Democratic voters and 63 percent of Republicans said they were uncertain who they would […]

Mitch PerryMarch 30, 2017

This week, St. Petersburg residents start receiving ballots for the May 2 referendum asking to give the Tampa Bay Rowdies a 25-year lease for Al Lang Field. St. Pete Entrepreneur Bill Edwards is advocating — and paying for — the measure. However, considering the questions fielded in public forums by Edwards’ spokesperson Rick Baker, the referendum […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2017

St. Petersburg entrepreneur Bill Edwards will be helping raise money next week for Let’s Get to Work, the political committee closely tied to Republican Gov. Rick Scott. The reception begins 6 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at The Club at Treasure Island, 400 Treasure Island Causeway in Treasure Island. Minimum suggested contribution for the VIP reception […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 13, 2017

Incumbent St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has some important news to share about his re-election campaign. “Now that we’ve had a chance to add everything up and double-check everything, it’s clear we’ve passed an important milestone,” Kriseman wrote in an email that was distributed last week. That milestone is that he has crossed the $200,000 raised threshold for […]

Joe HendersonFebruary 6, 2017

Whether you agree with the rules or you don’t, it’s never wise for a person in authority to say they are not going to follow the law. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman essentially did that when he stated the following in a blog post: “While our county sheriff’s office is ultimately responsible for notifying the […]

Tag: Rick Baker

Rick Baker recognizes previous stances on LGBT community will be campaign issue; Will it make a difference?

Rick Kriseman needs to respond forcefully to Rick Baker’s Trumpian ‘St. Petersburg carnage’

Rick Kriseman campaign raises more than $100,000 in April for re-election

The case against Rick Baker running for St. Petersburg mayor

Poll shows Rowdies soccer stadium referendum cruising to victory

Poll shows Floridians undecided on 2018 gubernatorial options

Rowdies, Al Lang referendum an easy sale for Rick Baker

Bill Edwards to help raise money for Rick Scott in Pinellas next week

Rick Kriseman campaign says it has raised $200K towards re-election

With sanctuary city comment, Rick Kriseman defiant, but misguided