Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Kate BradshawJune 11, 2018

Had he not been appointed interim Sheriff of Hillsborough County last year to replace retiring Sheriff David Gee, Chad Chronister has said in interviews that he would have run for Sheriff in 2018 regardless. A veteran officer who has served with the department since 1992, Chronister has had a busy year as the top cop in Hillsborough. His […]

Kate BradshawJune 11, 2018

If anyone is the antithesis to the notion that Republicanism’s days are numbered, it’s state Rep. Chris Latvala. First elected to his north-central Pinellas district (House District 67) in 2014, he was just 32 when he took office. Since then, he’s brought a fresh perspective to the Legislature and hasn’t been afraid to take positions that […]

Kate BradshawJune 11, 2018

For a long time, being a Democrat on the Hillsborough County Commission meant constantly voting in the minority while the board’s center-right and conservative wings debated policy. When Commissioner Les Miller was elected in 2010, he and Kevin Beckner, the other Democrat on the board then, while passionate advocates for their causes at the dais, rarely got […]

Kate BradshawJune 11, 2018

Everybody likes state Rep. Ben Diamond. At least, that’s what people close to the freshman Democrat from St. Petersburg say. Elected to represent House District 68, Diamond took over for then-state Rep. Dwight Dudley, who left office to run for a judgeship. While he’s popular in his district, especially with Democrats, getting bills passed has been […]

Staff ReportsJune 5, 2018

The wait is almost over. We’re finalizing our sixth annual ranking of Tampa Bay’s most powerful politicians. It will be published next Monday. As has been the case in years prior, the results are rooted in the opinions of leading political consultants, activists, bloggers, operatives and local lobbyists around the Bay area who reached out […]

Peter SchorschMay 20, 2018

Hundreds of people – including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Congressman Charlie Crist – held hands on Florida beaches Saturday in protest of proposed nearshore oil drilling. “Hands Across the Sand” was held in Pinellas County, one of nearly 120 events taking place on beaches nationwide. The annual protest first started during the Deepwater Horizon […]

Peter SchorschMay 14, 2018

Congresswoman Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, says she “led efforts” by the bipartisan Tampa Bay Congressional Delegation to include funding for MacDill Air Force Base. The National Defense Authorization Act cleared the U.S. House Armed Services Committee last Thursday. “Castor also championed other investments for our military, their families and our community, including a boost […]

Scott PowersMay 10, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King is expanding his campaign’s presence in the I-4 corridor with the appointments of regional directors from Tampa Bay and Brevard County, the campaign announced Thursday. Lisa Perry, a leader in Tampa Bay area progressive activism, will serve as the King campaign’s Tampa Bay regional director. Before joining the King campaign, […]

Peter SchorschMay 7, 2018

It’s time once again to rank Tampa Bay’s most powerful politicians. I am asking several of the leading political consultants, activists, bloggers, operatives and local lobbyists to provide a list of who they consider the 25 most powerful pols in the region. For the purposes of this experiment, the Tampa Bay region is defined as […]

Peter SchorschApril 13, 2018

Has the ol’ Ronda Storms magic lost its spark? Too soon to tell. Three candidates have filed for central Hillsborough’s HD 59, which is opening up early due to Dover Republican Rep. Ross Spano’s Attorney General aspirations. Republican Joe Wicker leads with just shy of $30,000. He has $27,500 banked, including $4,000 in candidate loans. […]

Tag: Tampa Bay

#23 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Chad Chronister

#24 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Chris Latvala

#25 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Les Miller (tie)

#25 on list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians — Ben Diamond (tie)

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 6.5.18

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 5.20.18

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 5.14.18

Chris King adds campaign staff for Tampa Bay, Central Florida

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing on Tampa Bay politics – 5.7.18

Not Just A Body Of Water — A newsletter about Tampa Bay politics — 4.13.18