Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 27, 2015

There have been too many election cycles where Hillsborough Democrats appeared to be missing in action, with the party frantic to recruit candidates to at least provide a semblance of a challenge to a Republican. But 2016 doesn’t appear to be one of those years. The fact is that in the Obama-era at least, Democrats […]

Mitch PerryApril 27, 2015

A really unusual thing happened this weekend — ABC’s much-hyped interview with Bruce Jenner wasn’t terrible. If fact, it was riveting, as the former Olympic hero acknowledged what has hardly been a secret during the past year or so – he’s transitioning to becoming a woman. “My whole life has prepared me for this moment,” Jenner […]

Mitch PerryApril 26, 2015

By any measure, Tampa has flourished since its citizens elected Bob Buckhorn as mayor in 2011. Saddled with budget deficits in his first couple of years in office, he put the city’s economy back on solid footing post-recession. There’s been a plethora of new parks and swimming pools built throughout the city, and an expanded Riverwalk has […]

Mitch PerryApril 24, 2015

Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign will be kicking off a major grassroots organizing effort starting next week, sending staffers to all 50 states in the country to begin building up a network of volunteers to start getting selling the message on a Clinton candidacy. It’s being called the “Ramp up Grassroots Organizing Program,” and will be led […]

Mitch PerryApril 24, 2015

Tampa Tribune business reporter Richard Mullins is leaving the paper after a decade to join Tampa communications firm Tucker/Hall as Senior Account Executive. He starts with Tucker/Hall May 11. Mullins worked for the Tribune since January of 2005, reporting on consumer issues, media, technology and social trends for the paper. In addition, he also co-hosted the Tribune’s […]

Mitch PerryApril 24, 2015

Last week it was Nashua, New Hampshire. Tomorrow, Waukee, Iowa. Waukee is the site of the next GOP presidential cattle call, where Marco Rubio will make his first appearance in the Hawkeye State since officially declaring his candidacy for president earlier this month. He’ll be joined by at least seven other presidential hopefuls who will speak […]

Mitch PerryApril 24, 2015

Running for president means sometimes having to alter your brand, and sometimes your integrity. Case in point: Rand Paul. Nobody has been more prominent in U.S. politics being critical of drone strikes, particularly against American citizens, such as Anwar al-Awlaki, an Al Qaeda operative killed by a U.S. drone strike in Yemen in 2011. In […]

Mitch PerryApril 23, 2015

Jeb Bush is booked to headline the Hillsborough County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner on June 19. The event will take place at the Pepin Hospitality Center, long a traditional spot for the Hillsborough GOP for major events. Hillsborough Republican Executive Committee Chairwoman Deborah Tamargo said she was prepared to issue a press release next week, […]

Mitch PerryApril 23, 2015

Attempting to build up positive momentum in the lead-up to next week’s U.S. Supreme Court hearing on same-sex marriage, a new group has been formed to show the growing bipartisan backing for gay marriage in the Sunshine State. It’s called, Florida Republicans for the Freedom to Marry, a joint effort between Equality Florida and Freedom […]

Mitch PerryApril 23, 2015

Political science professor Judithanne McLauchlan endured a rough-and-tumble campaign in her first bid for political office in 2014, but the Madeira Beach-based Democrat says her continued frustration with the Florida Legislature is prompting her to seriously consider a run for the Legislature in 2016. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg teacher is looking to run […]

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Brian Willis starts quest early for Hillsborough commission seat

Mitch Perry Report for 4.27.15 — Bruce Jenner’s journey

Bob Buckhorn faces first major test as Tampa mayor

Hillary Clinton campaign about to ramp up in Florida

The Tampa Tribune’s Rich Mullins bolting to public affairs firm Tucker/Hall

Marco Rubio returns to Iowa for the first time as a declared presidential candidate

Mitch Perry Report for 4.24.15 — The politics of convenience

Jeb Bush to headline Hillsborough County Lincoln Day dinner June 19

GOP “Freedom to Marry” group forms for SCOTUS same-sex hearing

Judithanne McLauchlan gives serious thought to HD 69 run