Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 12, 2018

Tampa businessman Steve Cona picked up an endorsement from Tampa Bay Builders Association in his campaign for the Hillsborough School Board. “The Tampa Bay Builders Association is happy to endorse Steve Cona for the Hillsborough County School Board, District 1,” said Jennifer Motsinger, executive vice president at TBBA. “Our organization understands that high-quality education is […]

Drew WilsonJune 29, 2018

Three weeks into her campaign for House District 62, Susan Valdes is still playing defense. A video of the 14-year Hillsborough School Board member saying she was open to campaign contributions from charter school companies made waves in education circles, and Valdes is now changing course with a pledge to reject charter school donations. “As […]

Drew WilsonJune 28, 2018

The Florida Education Association and the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association are backing Democrat Mike Alvarez in the Democratic primary for House District 62. “Hillsborough teachers stand with Mike,” said Rob Kriete, President of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association. “We’ve seen what happens when dysfunction, threats, and corruption infect our local government. Mike is an ethical […]

Drew WilsonJune 25, 2018

A Tampa man says a campaign consultant working with School Board member Susan Valdes, now a candidate for House District 62, threatened to get him fired and booted out of the Democratic Party for posting a video of Valdes on Facebook. The 5-minute video, recorded during a Saturday meeting of the Hillsborough Hispanic Democratic Caucus, […]

Drew WilsonJune 24, 2018

Tampa businessman Steve Cona is off to a fast start in the days since he launched his bid for the open District 1 seat on the Hillsborough School Board. In his first campaign finance report, which will include transactions through June 22, sources close Cona’s campaign says he will report more than $32,000 raised. Assuming that […]

Drew WilsonJune 19, 2018

Tampa Democrat Mike Alvarez’ campaign for House District 62 got a boost Tuesday thanks to an endorsement from labor union group Florida AFL-CIO. “Working families stand with Mike Alvarez,” said Cheryl Schroeder, who heads the West Central Florida Labor Council. “Voters can trust Mike Alvarez to be a moral and ethical representative for West Tampa. […]

Drew WilsonJune 15, 2018

Hillsborough School Board member Susan Valdes, now running for House District 62, slammed Democratic primary opponent Mike Alvarez Thursday for running a negative campaign. At issue is Valdes’ resign-to-run letter. A new law signed by Gov. Rick Scott earlier this year requires elected officials to turn in a resignation letter for their current office 10 days […]

Drew WilsonJune 14, 2018

There’s a new chapter in the saga of Susan Valdes’ resignation from the Hillsborough School Board. Valdes, now a candidate for House District 62, faced a June 8 deadline to get her resignation letter to the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections office to meet the requirements of the new resign-to-run law signed by Gov. Rick Scott […]

Drew WilsonJune 13, 2018

Susan Valdes’ resignation from the Hillsborough School Board may not have been above-board, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by one of her Democratic primary opponents in House District 62. As previously reported, Valdes’ resignation from the District 1 School Board seat came in late and was initially rejected by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections […]

Drew WilsonJune 13, 2018

Tampa businessman Steve Cona announced Tuesday that is running for District 1 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board. “Our public schools should be our biggest economic development engine; a place that cultivates and elevates the uniqueness of every student. As a school board member, I will work to ensure our students are prepared to […]

Tag: Susan Valdes

Tampa Bay builders back Steve Cona for Hillsborough School Board

Susan Valdes lashes out after ‘gotcha’ video

Teacher unions back Mike Alvarez for HD 62

Susan Valdes campaign threatens man for posting video

Steve Cona raised $32K in just 11 days for Hillsborough School Board bid

AFL-CIO endorses Mike Alvarez in House District 62

Susan Valdes sidesteps special treatment allegations, refers questions to attorney

Emails show Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections bent rules for Susan Valdes

Mike Alvarez weighs in on Susan Valdes resignation controversy

Steve Cona files for Hillsborough School Board