Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMay 9, 2016

For an entire eight days — EIGHT DAYS — local Democrats had their sh*t together. On April 25, state Rep. Dwight Dudley announces he will not seek re-election. Hours later, the well-liked Ben Diamond announces his candidacy for Dudley’s seat along with the endorsements of almost all of Pinellas’ Democratic elected officials. The seamless transition […]

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 […]

Mitch PerryApril 25, 2016

LiUNA, the Laborers’ International Union of North America, has announced it is endorsing Charlie Crist in the race for Florida’s 13th Congressional district. “From construction and energy workers, to public employees, our members are moving Florida’s economy forward — and Charlie Crist will help us get the job done,” said Dave Brier, Business Manager of LiUNA Local 517. […]

Mitch PerryApril 17, 2016

Charlie Crist out fundraised Eric Lynn in fundraising for the first quarter of 2016, and has now raised more money overall than his CD 13 Democratic opponent. That’s despite the fact that Lynn began with a six-month head start. On Friday, both Democrats vying for the nomination in the Pinellas County congressional district released their fundraising totals for […]

Mitch PerryApril 13, 2016

Here’s a news flash: we’re all going to die. Ideally, it’d be after a long life, but we know that it always doesn’t work out like that. Whether through illness or accident, there’s always the potential for today to be our last day. But nothing brings death quicker than a gun. There are gun deaths […]

Mitch PerryApril 12, 2016

After months of contemplation, former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker said Tuesday that he will not run for the Republican nomination for the CD 13 seat being vacated by David Jolly. “After a significant amount of thought, prayer and review, I have decided not to run for Congress this November,” Baker said in a statement. Baker has not been in […]

Mitch PerryApril 11, 2016

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is endorsing Eric Lynn in the race for the open Pinellas County 13th Congressional District seat being vacated by David Jolly. “I am proud to endorse Eric Lynn for Congress,” Panetta said in a prepared statement. “I know Eric well, and as a valued adviser to me during my time as Secretary of Defense, he […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2016

Florida’s Congressional District 13 seat based in Pinellas County has received a lot of attention in recent years. The special election to replace the late C.W. “Bill” Young in 2014 was one of the most expensive congressional elections in U.S. history. After the Florida Supreme Court ordered the state Legislature to redraw the district last year which […]

Peter SchorschMarch 21, 2016

Last week, I wrote about a possible Rick Baker campaign for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. In response to that post, I received this email Monday from Aonya McCruiston of SKD Knickerbocker, the top-flight public affairs firm working with CD 13 candidate Eric Lynn: “I read your article on a potential Rick Baker candidacy, but you didn’t mention […]

Peter SchorschMarch 18, 2016

Charlie Crist is in Rick Baker‘s sights, but when will the former mayor take the shot? That’s the question on many politicos’ minds in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Like Iceman in “Top Gun,” Baker appears to have his target lined up, but just “can’t get the angle.” There’s little doubt in my mind that Baker will eventually run in CD […]

Tag: Rick Baker

Here’s where sh*t stands — the ‘Democrats can’t keep it together’ edition

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

Charlie Crist picks up a labor endorsement in CD 13 contest

Charlie Crist now leads in fundraising over Eric Lynn in CD 13 contest

Mitch Perry Report for 4.13.16 — Sean Payton’s lament

Rick Baker decides not to run for Florida’s 13th Congressional District

Leon Panetta is backing Eric Lynn in CD 13 race

Mark Bircher: I wouldn’t run if I couldn’t win CD 13

Should I have included Eric Lynn in my post about a possible Rick Baker candidacy?

When will Rick Baker take the shot?