Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Kate BradshawJune 14, 2018

It’s no wonder Ken Welch is Pinellas County Commission chair (again) this year. First elected in 2000 and later re-elected four times, Welch is thoughtful and incredibly detail-oriented. It’s clear his deliberative style has contributed to the board’s collaborative, seemingly nonpartisan approach to hammering out policy. “Commissioner Welch is a Chairman’s chairman. A grounded statesman and an […]

Kate BradshawJune 13, 2018

It’s not often a freshman officeholder whose party is in the minority makes a most-powerful list. Although, politicians like U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist aren’t exactly common, either. The former Florida governor already had star power to spare when he narrowly defeated Republican incumbent David Jolly in the 2016 race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District seat, which covers most of Pinellas County, […]

Kate BradshawJune 11, 2018

After cruising to re-election in November, St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Darden Rice continues to bring an activist’s passion to the dais. Her outspokenness on the environment and economic issues has helped brand St. Pete as a forward-thinking, diversity-embracing city. Among some of the more gutsy measures she’s championed over the last year are proposed bans on plastic […]

Staff ReportsApril 26, 2018

One of the bidders in Tampa Bay’s efforts to ease traffic — the Cross-Bay Ferry — is heading to court to keep its finances out of the public eye, calling them “trade secrets.” In 2016, the City of St. Petersburg launched the Cross-Bay Ferry, a seasonal program that would shuttle passengers between St. Petersburg and […]

Peter SchorschMarch 21, 2018

St. Petersburg attorney Carrie Pilon is expected to challenge incumbent Republican Jeff Brandes in Senate District 24, according to planning documents obtained by Florida Politics. Pilon, a St. Pete native, is a Stetson University law grad and also holds a bachelor’s and master’s in public administration from Florida State University. She runs an injury law […]

Scott PowersMarch 20, 2018

The gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Philip Levine has hired Adrienne Bogen to be its statewide field director. Bogen most recently managed the field program for St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman’s successful re-election campaign last year. She previously has led organizing efforts for U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist‘s 2014 gubernatorial race, Hillary Clinton‘s 2016 presidential bid, and […]

Mitch PerryMarch 7, 2018

Akile Anai learned Monday she would be going to court March 27 on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. Better known as Eritha “Akile” Cainion, Anai had recently run under the Uhuru banner for St. Petersburg City Council District 6 last summer. On December 20, 2017, the 21-year-old former candidate was arrested in front of her house […]

Drew WilsonMarch 7, 2018

Democrat Jennifer Webb announced Wednesday that a handful of local elected officials had endorsed her campaign for House District 69. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman headlined the block endorsement, which also included Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard, and St. Petersburg City Councilmembers Charlie Gerdes and Brandi Gabbard. “Jennifer has fought for our community and knows […]

Drew WilsonMarch 6, 2018

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman on Tuesday endorsed Pinellas County School Board Chair René Flowers for re-election. “I have been honored to call René Flowers a friend for many years and I enthusiastically support her re-election to the Pinellas County School Board,” Kriseman said in a press release. “Nobody will fight harder for St. Petersburg and […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2018

Former Florida Democratic Party president Sally Boynton Brown is in Tampa Thursday night to lead a “progressive message trailing” session. Some Hillsborough Democrats aren’t happy about Brown coming to town. The former executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party was hired in April 2017 by then-FDP chair Stephen Bittel to replace longtime President Scott Arceneaux. But Boynton Brown’s tenure […]

Tag: Rick Kriseman

#11 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Ken Welch

#16 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Charlie Crist

#22 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Darden Rice

Cross Bay Ferry bidder fighting public records request

Jeff Brandes expected to draw challenge from trial lawyer Carrie Pilon

Philip Levine’s gubernatorial campaign brings in Adrienne Bogen as field director

Former St. Pete City Council candidate going to court on resisting arrest charge

Jennifer Webb adds endorsements for HD 69 campaign

Rick Kriseman endorses René Flowers for Pinellas School Board

Sally Boynton Brown visits Tampa, miffing some Democrats