Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMay 31, 2017

St. Petersburg has finally received the official OK to rebuild the Pier. This city received a permit Wednesday from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the last step to clearing the way for construction on the new Pier. “The ‘New St. Pete Pier’ will be a dynamic extension of our iconic waterfront park system, and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 17, 2017

The race for St. Petersburg mayor is heating up, with a new poll showing Rick Baker with a double-digit lead over Rick Kriseman. A new St. Pete Polls survey finds Baker with 46 percent of registered St. Petersburg voters saying they would pick him in a head-to-head matchup, while 33 percent are with Kriseman. Twenty percent of voters polled […]

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 […]

Mike DeesonMay 3, 2017

Although there has been some kind of Pier project in downtown St. Pete since the late 1800s, the city has changed, and the Pier is not needed. When I first moved to Tampa Bay 35 years ago, downtown was anything but vibrant. The Vinoy, now a crown jewel, was closed, full of broken windows and […]

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 […]

Mitch PerryApril 19, 2017

Fillmore-redevelopment-by-SF-Redevelopment-Agency-web.jpg

A modified bill to put additional limits on Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA) advanced Wednesday in the House Government Accountability Committee. Local governments use CRAs to promote affordable housing, economic development, health and safety in under-served neighborhoods. They hold a set percentage of property taxes paid by residents of a community, investing that money — also known as […]

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 […]

Mitch PerryApril 3, 2017

Bob Buckhorn announced last month that he won’t run for governor next year, saying it wasn’t worth separating himself from his family over the next couple of years. It’s certainly not for lack of how he would run his campaign, based on remarks he made on Monday in Tampa. Appearing with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, the two […]

Tag: Rick Kriseman

St. Pete gets Army Corps of Engineers OK to build new Pier

Race on! Rick Baker takes double-digit lead over Rick Kriseman for St. Pete Mayor, poll shows

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’

Mike Deeson: If I were king — I would end The Pier project immediately

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

House advances bill giving power to state legislators for CRAs

The case against Rick Baker running for St. Petersburg mayor

Poll shows Rowdies soccer stadium referendum cruising to victory

At economic lunch, Bob Buckhorn blasts ‘Koch Brothers led ideology’ in Tallahassee