Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

I will never, ever underestimate Sally Harris again. Harris is one of the two freshly minted members on the Hillsborough County School Board who was fated with deciding the fate of Superintendent MaryEllen Elia at last night’s board meeting. Last week I predicted that with the collective establishment in Tampa (including the editorial boards of both of the dailies, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

Last month the Sunshine State’s largest power company, Florida Power & Light, won approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to sign a 50-year contract with Louisiana-based PetroQuest to conduct exploratory drilling -better known as fracking – for natural gas in southeastern Oklahoma, with the $191 million cost spread to customer bills. In March the PSC is […]

Brendan FarringtonJanuary 21, 2015

A House committee approved a bill Tuesday that would allow guns on state university campuses just two months after a shooter wounded three people at a Florida State University library. State Rep. Greg Steube argued his bill (HB 4005) would make campuses safer because a shooter could be stopped by a gun owner before police […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 20, 2015

In the Jacksonville mayoral race, never mind the official qualifying period, which is through Friday. The real campaign has begun … with Lenny Curry bumper stickers. You know it’s a race now! With only a $15 contribution, the brand new, official Lenny Curry for Mayor Bumper Sticker can be yours. The former Republican Party of Florida chair has […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 20, 2015

Paul Renner picked up a handful of local law enforcement endorsements today in his campaign for House District 24. The attorney and Jacksonville native announced the support of State Attorney R.J. Larizza of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar and Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson in the Republican primary set for […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2015

Could this be the year that the Florida Legislature finally starts trying to actually encourage solar power production in the Sunshine State? The state’s heretofore desultory commitment to alternative energy sources took another hit last fall, when the Public Service Commission voted to cut the energy efficiency goals of the state’s utility companies by more than 90 percent, […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 20, 2015

Former House Speaker Will Weatherford is beginning the next chapter of his professional career — one that will allow him the opportunity to recharge his batteries for, well … whatever he wants to do next in the political sphere. Weatherford, along with his brothers Drew and Sam, are launching Weatherford Partners, a strategic business advisory and […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 20, 2015

Second-ballot endorsement with intrigue beforehand After a solid few weeks of endorsements and control of the news cycle, the Lenny Curry campaign garnered the official party endorsement Monday night at the Duval County Republican Party meeting. The Curry team offered a statement on the endorsement: “We appreciate the grassroots supporters for asking Chairman Lumb to […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2015

It wasn’t that long ago — 2010 perhaps? — when I still eagerly anticipated watching the State of the Union address from Washington. But no mas. In January of 2010, my first year writing for Creative Loafing, the editors thought it would be cool for me to “live-blog” the event. And it was sort of […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2015

Fifty years after the passage of the federal Voting Right Act, speakers at today’s 35th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Breakfast in Tampa said it’s time to allow the hundreds of thousands of ex-felons in Florida get their right to vote restored. “This modern-day disenfranchisement and discrimination is our modern-day challenge,” said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, […]

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Jay Odom. Image via Northwest Florida Daily News.

Mitch Perry Report for 1.21.15 — Hillsborough County will survive MaryEllen Elia's exit

Dwight Dudley wants to stop public utilities from charging customers for fracking projects

Bill to allow guns on Florida campuses passes first hurdle

Email insights: Lenny Curry gets real, with new bumper sticker

Northeast Florida law enforcement officials endorse Paul Renner in HD 24

Jeff Brandes proposes legislation to extend renewable energy tax exemption

Former Speaker Will Weatherford outlines his next chapter

Manufacturing consent: Lenny Curry scores Duval GOP endorsement

Mitch Perry Report for 1.20.15 — And now for the most disappointing night in American politics

Restoring voting rights for ex-felons major theme at Tampa MLK breakfast