Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 21, 2015

Although east Hillsborough County has been the graveyard for Democrats in legislative races for awhile, the party came awfully close in 2012 to winning the House District 59 seat. That’s when Gail Gottlieb fell just short of beating Republican Ross Spano for the open seat, ultimately losing 51-49 percent. The district covers Brandon, Riverview and Valrico. […]

Phil AmmannMay 12, 2015

Voting in Florida state races is now just under 18 months away, with a June special session and the 2016 Regular Session thrown in for good measure. Nevertheless, political campaigns statewide are starting to gear up, as the campaign cash begins to flow in earnest. Here’s where things stand through April 30 in fundraising races […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2015

In Nepal, they’re still digging through the rubble after the devastating weekend earthquake that has taken at least 10,000 lives. In Baltimore, the cleanup continues after Monday’s night of rage. Meanwhile, that city waits for a report on what actually happened to Freddie Gray, due later this week. And in Tallahassee, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli […]

Mitch PerryApril 10, 2015

Florida-State-Rep.-Jason-Brodeur-638x425-1024x1024.jpg

On Thursday, the Florida House passed Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur‘s controversial “conscience protection” bill. The legislation would allow private adoption agencies whose “written religious or moral convictions” do not permit children in their care to be adopted by gays or lesbians to refuse to make such placements. The agencies would not face the possibility of losing their […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

The Florida House on Thursday passed a measure that would let private agencies who cite religious or moral grounds to turn away gay couples seeking to adopt children. By a 75-38 vote, HB 7111, sponsored by Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur, was passed. Brodeur proposed the legislation only after the House voted last month to repeal the […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2015

Whip out those checkbooks, Tallahassee lobbyists and PAC chairs, as the clock ticks down on pre-session legislative fundraisers. Florida law prohibits legislators from raising money during session, so the final hours before the 2015 Legislative Session – which starts Tuesday – means a last-minute whirl of fundraising receptions, many of which in the shadow of […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 27, 2015

In anticipation of the 2015 Legislative Session, FloridaPolitics.com is asking state lawmakers about their goals and priorities – and whether they support some controversial issues in the state.. Here are the responses from Brandon Representative Ross Spano: In one word, how would you describe your expectations for the Session? “Optimistic.” What’s a local issue you are making […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Whip out the checkbooks, Tallahassee lobbyists and PAC chairs, as a new week begins with a handful of legislators’ re-election fundraisers. State law prohibits legislators from raising money during session, so every week leading up to the 2015 Session will offer a number of fundraising receptions. Many of them are mere steps from the Florida Capitol. […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2014

HCRPunityplatform-post-image-original-635527745435692000-1024x1024.png

In a close election, Hillsborough County Republicans on Tuesday night chose former state Representative Deborah Tamargo to be their new party chair, defeating former party chair Debbie Cox-Roush on a 110-80 vote. She succeeds Brandon state Senator Tom Lee, who has led the local party for the past two years. Tamargo had been running for […]

Peter SchorschDecember 1, 2014

After an easy win in November, state Representative Ross Spano took the first steps for a 2016 re-election run in House District 59, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Spano, a 48-year-old attorney, took 58 percent of the vote Nov. 4 to win a second term for the seat covering parts of Hillsborough County. […]

Tag: Ross Spano

Hillsborough Democrat Naze Sahebzamani to take on Ross Spano in HD 59 race

Where fundraising races stand in Tampa Bay area 2016 contests

Mitch Perry Report for 4.29.15 — GOP fights GOP in Tally as Democrats watch

Jason Brodeur says it’s time for truce on gay adoption controversy

Florida House approves law to allow private agencies to turn away gay couples from adopting

Get your checkbooks ready this week for pre-session political fundraisers

Previewing the Legislative Session with Rep. Ross Spano

Get your checkbooks ready this week for several political fundraisers

Hillsborough Republicans choose Deborah Tamargo to be their new party chair

Rep. Ross Spano files paperwork for 2016 re-election bid