Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 14, 2016

Political maxim No. 459: “If you’re explaining, you’re losing.” Let’s go to Patrick Murphy and his campaign for Senate, shall we? The Murphy camp is furiously shooting down a report by Alex Leary in the Tampa Bay Times published last night that said his congressional office sought to delay news about relief for businesses affected by the toxic […]

Peter SchorschJuly 12, 2016

‘Tis the season. It’s that most wonderful time of the year when candidates running in this fall’s elections begin to make the rounds at candidate forums, hob nobs, straw polls and Tiger Bay debates. It’s at these events candidates can begin to distinguish themselves from their opponents with a quick retort — or a regrettable gaffe. […]

Staff ReportsJuly 7, 2016

Candidates for U.S. Congressional District 13, one of the most closely watched races of the 2016 campaign in Florida, will face off in a debate Sept. 19 in St. Petersburg. The general election debate, co-sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times, 10 News WTSP and St. Petersburg College, will be at the Palladium Theater three weeks after the Aug. […]

Mitch PerryJuly 1, 2016

America celebrates its 240th birthday Monday, and the 40th anniversary of the Bicentennial. I was a relatively young kid who doesn’t have a whole lot of recollection of that particular day (other than our family was on vacation someplace in Northern California), but I certainly do remember the yearlong hype into that summer. Two days […]

Mitch PerryJune 22, 2016

Our latest form of participatory democracy takes place in Tampa tonight, where scores of people will comment on whether or not the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization should include the Tampa Bay Express project in what is known as their Transportation Improvement Plan. If past is prologue, the majority of speakers will be against the project, and the MPO […]

Mitch PerryJune 14, 2016

After months of deliberation, Hillsborough County Republican Tom Lee has apparently decided to run for re-election to the newly created Senate District 20 seat later this fall. The Tampa Bay Times first reported the news. Lee is currently serving in Senate District 24, a seat he won back in 2012. It was a return to […]

Mitch PerryJune 7, 2016

Happy Tuesday, everybody. To paraphrase Bob Dylan, you won’t need a weatherman to tell you how many streets will be inoperative in Tampa today, after an onslaught of rain touched down in the area overnight. We’ll have to wait and see how bad the flooding is, but one has to wonder how long it’ll be […]

Mitch PerryJune 1, 2016

Americans for Prosperity-Florida is calling on lawmakers from both sides of Tampa Bay not to use public taxpayer dollars in the financing of any potential new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. “As the Rays search for a potential new sandlot to call home, their focus should steer clear of calling on taxpayers to sacrifice […]

Mitch PerryMay 26, 2016

Americans For Prosperity Florida is praising the Sarasota County Commission for rejecting a financial incentive to help lure an out-of-town private company to relocate their business in the county. “We’re thrilled to see Sarasota County reject the calls from special interests to take taxpayer dollars and give (them) away to a private company,” said state director, Chris Hudson. “These […]

Mitch PerryMay 24, 2016

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Commenting on the same day that the Pinellas County Commission was poised to vote on a fracking ban, House District 69 Democratic candidate Jennifer Webb announced that she not only supports such a ban, but took the opportunity to take a swipe at her GOP opponent, incumbent Kathleen Peters. Noting that there were bills presented in the Legislature banning fracking […]

Tag: Tampa Bay Times
The investigator of the Alex Díaz de la Portillo's corruption case was not quite above board.

Mitch Perry Report for 7.14.16 — Patrick Murphy on defense, again

5 reasons I’m looking forward to tonight’s “Popcorn & Politics” event

Tampa Bay Times sponsoring Charlie Crist vs. David Jolly debate

Mitch Perry Report for 7.1.16 — The wheels of justice move excruciatingly slow

Mitch Perry Report for 6.22.16 — TBX showdown tonight

Tom Lee to run for SD 20 seat

Mitch Perry Report for 6.7.16 — Hillary now officially the candidate? Yes, according to AP

AFP-Florida warns Tampa Bay lawmakers to not use taxpayers $ for potential Rays stadium

AFP applauds Sarasota for rejecting incentives to lure national roofing company to relocate

Kathleen Peters responds to Jennifer Webb’s comments on her support of fracking bill