Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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. […]

Peter SchorschApril 9, 2018

It’s your move, House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz. She’s term-limited in the House this year, and is – for now – set to run for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. But there’s word she will drop her bid for county commission and run for state Senate District 18. That would mean, assuming she clears […]

Peter SchorschApril 4, 2018

It raised more than a few eyebrows when former state Rep. Ray Pilon endorsed fellow Republican Jeff Brandes in Senate District 24. That’s because his daughter-in-law Carrie Pilon, a Democrat, entered the race this week. Now, however, we know what’s going on. Chad Pilon (Ray’s son) explained on Facebook: “Actually, not much of an option for […]

Peter SchorschMarch 29, 2018

The response to the first two editions of “Not Just A Body of Water” has been so phenomenal, we worked hard to get one more edition out before the Easter holiday. No Spring Break here. If there’s one theme that’s dominating the local political scene, it’s chessboarding. Candidates are either getting ready to jump into […]

Tag: Tampa Bay

#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

Not Just A Body Of Water — A newsletter about Tampa Bay politics — 4.9.18

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing on Tampa Bay politics — 4.4.18

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 3.29.18