Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 29, 2018

All Aboard Florida received state approval Wednesday to sell $1.75 billion in federal private equity bonds to extend its private, high-speed, Brightline passenger train system from South Florida to Orlando. Meeting in Orlando, the Florida Development Finance Corp. board voted unanimously to grant state permission for the financing after more than three hours of public […]

Scott PowersAugust 29, 2018

Calling Ron DeSantis a “yes man” for President Donald Trump, the Democratic super PAC American Bridge is launching the first attack ad of the Florida fall governor’s race, with an internet video mocking DeSantis’s praise for the president. The 54-second video, “DeSantis: Trump’s Yes Man,” signals that while Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum may be […]

Scott PowersAugust 15, 2018

As promised last week when his campaign first unveiled the spot as an internet digital ad, Andrew Gillum is launching his “Chance” commercial — citing progressive causes from gun control to abolishing and replacing ICE, ending “Stand Your Ground” to impeaching Donald Trump — on television. The TV buy will be limited, as is Gillum’s […]

Danny McAuliffeAugust 15, 2018

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is coming to Florida to campaign for Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Gillum. The Gillum campaign announced late Tuesday that the Senator from Vermont will join Gillum at two rallies on Friday — less than two weeks away from the Aug. 28 primary. The first of the rallies is set to take place […]

Scott PowersJuly 25, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum is challenging thinking about what’s impossible in his first television commercial, being launched today with a modest buy that will ramp up next week. Gillum’s 30-second spot, “What’s impossible?”, seeks to define him as someone who already has a record of succeeding against long odds, as the son of the […]

Danny McAuliffeJuly 23, 2018

President Donald Trump will host a July 31 rally in Tampa where he is expected to tout his support for Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, the Tampa Bay Times reports. The rally will take place at 7 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds. It’s the eighth time the President has come to the Tampa […]

Jacob OglesJuly 20, 2018

A former youth pastor at a Tampa church says allegations of sexual abuse were covered up, and he was fired after telling higher-ups at the Riverhills Church of God. John Lancer worked as a youth pastor at the church in 2016 when janitor Luis Lugo was fired for allegedly exposing himself to an elementary school student, […]

Ryan NicolJuly 10, 2018

The last time a Democrat served as governor of Florida, Bill Clinton was still president. In a new campaign ad, Democratic candidate for governor Gwen Graham says it’s time for that to change. Titled “Twenty” (see below), Graham critiques Republican leadership of the state for the past two decades, and argues she is the candidate best […]

Peter SchorschJune 29, 2018

The actions of two Bay-area men last week saved drivers from a potential financial headache. WTSP investigative journalist Noah Pransky uncovered a system maintenance issue with Florida’s tolling system, or SunPass. The estimated time to complete the toll maintenance project took longer than expected, and Pransky pointed out that Floridians could not see older transactions […]

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 […]

Tag: Tampa

Brightline gets state approval to sell construction bonds

American Bridge launches first anti-Ron DeSantis ad of the fall

Andrew Gillum puts progressive ‘Chance’ ad on TV

Bernie Sanders to join Andrew Gillum for Tampa, Orlando rallies this Friday

Andrew Gillum challenges ‘What’s impossible?’ in first TV ad

Donald Trump plans Tampa rally for Ron DeSantis

Youth pastor says Tampa church covered up sex abuse

Gwen Graham: Republican governor streak must end

Not Just A Body Of Water for 6.29.18 — A newsletter about Tampa Bay politics

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