Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2017

It’s no secret that one of the most significant problems dragging down the Tampa Bay-area economy is a lack of sufficient transportation options, as well as the lack of money to fund potential solutions. Attempting to provide a partial solution are Tampa-area state legislators Dana Young and Jamie Grant, who publicly discussed their bill that […]

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 […]

Joe HendersonNovember 8, 2017

Democrats win! Stop the presses! Well, they should be feeling frisky this morning. They had a fist-pumping night during Tuesday’s elections, just a year after Donald Trump stunned them, and their dreams of controlling the United States Senate were crushed. Democrats won a series of state and local elections, including nationally watched races for Governor […]

Peter SchorschNovember 8, 2017

Tuesday’s slate of elections in St. Petersburg certainly provided a list of winners and losers, and I’m not just talking about candidates. Here’s a list of the real winners and losers emerging from the city’s general elections. Please let me know if I missed anyone. The Biggest Winners Kevin King and Ben Kirby — Kriseman‘s top City […]

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 […]

Phil AmmannNovember 7, 2017

PICCOLO-BAKER-KRISEMAN-6.29.17-5-3500x1294.jpg

One of the most contentious, and expensive, mayoral races in St. Petersburg history — christened the “battle of the Ricks” — is finally over. And, as expected, it was a close race; first-term incumbent Mayor Rick Kriseman narrowly defeated former two-term Mayor Rick Baker 51.55 to 48.45 percent. St. Pete voters cast ballots Tuesday to determine […]

Drew WilsonNovember 7, 2017

St. Petersburg voters chose Tuesday to give Mayor Rick Kriseman a second term and keep City Councilmember Darden Rice in place for another four years, both of which were cheered by LGBTQ rights group Equality Florida. “Tonight the LGBTQ community in Tampa Bay saw two of its most vocal champions re-elected for a second term. […]

Tag: Rick Kriseman
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Dana Young, Jamie Grant seeks to provide cash for ‘innovative’ Tampa Bay transit

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

Joe Henderson: Democrats win, but can they keep good times rolling?

Winners and losers emerging from St. Petersburg’s municipal elections

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

Democrats across Florida congratulate Rick Kriseman on his re-election

‘Battle of Ricks’ ends; Rick Kriseman narrowly re-elected as St. Pete mayor

Equality Florida celebrates Rick Kriseman, Darden Rice wins