Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 12, 2016

So, Go Hillsborough is somehow still alive? Though they haven’t set a date yet, apparently there will be another public hearing on putting a sales tax referendum on the ballot this November. On Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Commission voted to support a half-cent sales tax for 15 years, and not the 30-year plan shot down […]

Mitch PerryMay 11, 2016

Dan Fiorini, a first-time candidate challenging fellow Democrat Wengay Newton for the open House District 70 seat, raised more cash than Newton in April, the third month in a row he’s done so. The April report shows Fiorini raised $4,496.95 to Newton’s $3,060.00, including in-kind contributions. “Obviously, our message is resonating with the community, “Fiorini […]

Peter SchorschMay 9, 2016

For an entire eight days — EIGHT DAYS — local Democrats had their sh*t together. On April 25, state Rep. Dwight Dudley announces he will not seek re-election. Hours later, the well-liked Ben Diamond announces his candidacy for Dudley’s seat along with the endorsements of almost all of Pinellas’ Democratic elected officials. The seamless transition […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2016

Good morning, y’all. Regular readers of this column may note that it’s being posted a little later this morning. Not to get into Too Much Information, but let’s just say I think when I read Arianna Huffington write that you must have 7/8 hours a sleep every night, well, one can certainly aspire to that. Rumor has […]

Mitch PerryApril 28, 2016

Wengay Newton has received a strong endorsement from Pinellas County School Board member Rene Flowers in his bid for the House District 70 race. “Wengay Newton understands that he has an uphill mountain to climb,” Flowers concludes in a full-page statement backing the former St. Petersburg City Councilman, who represented South St. Pete from 2007-2015. “However, if there were […]

Peter SchorschApril 14, 2016

Three of the five Senate races in Hillsborough or Pinellas County feature an incumbent running without opposition. In a fourth race – the one for Senate District 18 – Tampa Republican Rep. Dana Young has no challenger yet, although a Democrat is expected to file next week. As of April, SD 19 is the only Bay area seat with […]

Devon CrumpackerApril 13, 2016

Wengay Newton didn’t shy away from discussing his Tallahassee plans during an April 12 reception for his House District 70 campaign. “I want to try and promote good legislation,” the former St. Petersburg City Councilman said in his opening remarks. “And any bad legislation, I want to try and get that amended.” From there he went […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2015

Republican activist and perpetual candidate Sharon Russ has filed to run for the heavily Democratic House District 70 seat held by termed-out Rep. Daryl Rouson. Russ is no stranger to politics, at least in the Pinellas County portion of the district: She ran for St. Petersburg mayor in 2009 and challenged Karl Nurse for city […]

Phil AmmannMay 12, 2015

Voting in Florida state races is now just under 18 months away, with a June special session and the 2016 Regular Session thrown in for good measure. Nevertheless, political campaigns statewide are starting to gear up, as the campaign cash begins to flow in earnest. Here’s where things stand through April 30 in fundraising races […]

Mitch PerryMay 6, 2015

According to a story by Waveney Ann Moore in Wednesday’s Tampa Bay Times, it’s looking good for advocates of Pier Park to be the chosen design to finally replace the aging iconic inverted Pier in downtown St. Petersburg. “I’ve had more calls in support of Pier Park than anything,” City Councilman Darden Rice says. “It […]

Tag: Wengay Newton
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 5.12.16 — The proposed tax that will not go away

Dan Fiorini tops Wengay Newton in fundraising in HD 70 race for 3rd straight month

Here’s where sh*t stands — the ‘Democrats can’t keep it together’ edition

Mitch Perry Report for 4.29.16 – Trib frowns on Go Hillsborough vote

Rene Flowers strongly backing Wengay Newton in HD 70 race

Where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay’s 2016 legislative races

Wengay Newton touches on Tallahassee plans in HD 70 campaign

Perennial GOP candidate Sharon Russ files in HD 70 race

Where fundraising races stand in Tampa Bay area 2016 contests

Mitch Perry Report for 5.6.15 — St. Pete Pier politics, part 23