Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 7, 2018

Tampa Bay is more than a body of water — so much more. To start, an admission: I really missed writing about Tampa Bay, particularly its politics. With all that is going on in the region surrounding my beloved St. Petersburg, it was tough to resist being drawn back into the fray. And in the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 5, 2018

One might think that the Tampa Bay Times’ Tim Nickens, as editorial page editor of Tampa Bay’s biggest daily newspaper, might be subjected to tough questions about the paper’s coverage and/or editorial stances when he spoke before the politically savvy Cafe Con Tampa crowd at the Oxford Exchange Friday morning. Those tough questions were asked, but they were […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 5, 2018

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RJ Myers, an established veteran of politics and The Process, is taking his experience to Suskey Consulting, the Florida government affairs firm announced this week. Myers, who will serve as a Government and Community Affairs Consultant, will be based in the firm’s St. Petersburg and Tallahassee offices. He most recently was Deputy Political Director for Republican Rick Baker‘s […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 2, 2018

Calling St. Petersburg a city of “progress and progressivism,” Mayor Rick Kriseman spoke confidently about intentions for the next four years as he was sworn into office for his second inauguration. Speaking for just over ten minutes on a crisp afternoon in front of City Hall to an audience of more than 150 friends, family […]

Staff ReportsDecember 6, 2017

Bill Edwards is pushing back against a lawsuit by a musician who claims the renowned St. Petersburg entrepreneur and philanthropist owes him money for his “budding pop career.” The suit also includes a mention of former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, president of the Edwards Group. Edwards is calling for the court to purge the […]

Mitch PerryNovember 30, 2017

Like his father, state Rep. Chris Latvala of Clearwater is a proud Republican who doesn’t always toe the GOP line – a contrarian streak which sometimes gets him into trouble. Not that Latvala, son of longtime state Sen. Jack Latvala, is that worried about that perception. “My grade with the NRA is a ‘D.’ And I’m proud of […]

Peter SchorschNovember 28, 2017

A word of warning for Florida Democrats in 2018; be cautious about eyeing Pinellas County Sen. Jeff Brandes’ District 24 seat. After the somewhat surprising success of Rick Kriseman, who edged out former mayor Rick Baker, Florida Democrats are starting to think a “blue wave” will give them a legitimate shot at Brandes, the incumbent […]

Peter SchorschNovember 16, 2017

Gubernatorial candidates raised big bucks last month, none more so than Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam who added $1.2 million between his campaign and committee accounts. Putnam raised $571,932 of that sum through his campaign account and another $616,235 through his political committee, Florida Grown. The former congressman and state lawmaker spent a combined $466,801 from […]

Mitch PerryNovember 7, 2017

Unlike the August 29 primary, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman went into the general election as the favorite against former Mayor Rick Baker. But margins were slim. Much to the consternation of Baker (and his supporters), early returns of the evening — which included early vote/vote-by-mail — gave Kriseman an advantage of two percentage points, a margin […]

Peter SchorschNovember 7, 2017

Florida Democrats are more fired up than ever. A little more than a month ago, Florida Democrats scored a historic victory in the special election for Senate District 40. In a low turnout election, Democrat Annette Taddeo flipped a competitive state Senate seat from red to blue, defeating the well-funded Republican, Jose Felix Diaz. Re-electing Mayor Rick […]

Tag: Rick Baker

Not Just A Body Of Water — 1.7.18

Tampa crowd objects to First Amendment Foundation stance on proposed public records law

Personnel note: RJ Myers heading to Suskey Consulting

Rick Kriseman vows to tackle infrastructure, transportation in second term

Bill Edwards pushes back on lawsuit from ‘budding’ pop star

Chris Latvala goes to class

A warning for Democrats eyeing Jeff Brandes’ SD 24 seat in 2018

Adam Putnam widened fundraising lead in October, while Phil Levine made a splash

Bedlam at Rick Kriseman election watch party; bitterness at Rick Baker’s

Democrats across Florida congratulate Rick Kriseman on his re-election