Politics

Hillsborough County judicial candidate Melissa Cordon Black will be hosting a campaign kick-off next Thursday as she runs to succeed Judge Paul Jeske, who is retiring.

Ben Diamond is scheduled to host a “thank you” event for supporters of his now-suspended congressional campaign in St. Petersburg May 31.

Hillsborough County Circuit Court Judge Wesley Tibbals will launch his re-election campaign with an event in Ybor City June 9 at the Cuban Club.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has announced his endorsement of Keesha Benson for Pinellas County School Board, District 3.

State Reps. Ben Diamond and Michele Rayner have each dropped their respective campaigns for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, leaving former Obama administration official Eric Lynn as the only candidate left in the Democratic Primary. 

A heap of prominent Florida Republicans jumped into the race for Florida’s 15th Congressional District this week, making for a crowded and competitive GOP Primary.

State Rep. Ben Diamond Thursday backed for Lindsay Cross in her race to join the Florida Legislature.

State Rep.Ben Diamond suspended his campaign for Congress Thursday.

One of the state’s largest unions – SEIU Florida – has announced endorsements for candidates running to represent Tampa Bay for the 2022 election cycle.

Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman Sunday received the 2022 Men & Women of Distinction’s Gwen Reese Lifetime Achievement Award by St. Pete-based advocacy group the Gathering of Women.

State Rep. Nick DiCeglie has endorsed lawyer Jennifer Wilson as his preferred successor as she runs for the House District 59 seat.

Republican businessman Shawn Harrison has filed to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Janet Cruz for state Senate District 14.

With the redistricting process nearly complete, Florida’s Supervisors of Elections will soon be redrawing precinct lines to reflect changes in state and local districts.

U.S.Rep.

Amanda Lynn Hurtak will be sworn in Thursday as the newest member of the Tampa City Council.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has selected Rob Gerdes to serve as St. Pete’s new City Administrator.

GOP candidate Anna Paulina Luna has collected more than $400,000 in the first quarter of 2022, her campaign announced last week.

A new general is now heading U.S.Central Command at Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base.

The redistricting year, following the census, brings many changes to districts and to methods of getting a candidate’s name on the ballot.

Tampa Democratic Rep. Fentrice Driskell will relocate to the new House District 67 to seek re-election, following much of her constituency east to the new seat.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist is applauding the House passage of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, bipartisan legislation to provide the United States Coast Guard with necessary resources. 

Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen will host a re-election campaign event this Wednesday evening.

First-term state Rep.Traci Koster is holding a campaign kickoff event on April 12.

After an arduous and often controversial Legislative Session in Tallahassee, local legislators have returned to their home base in Tampa Bay – right on time for the release of the ninth-annual list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians by Florida Politics.

Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard raised $19,470 in February for her re-election campaign, keeping her on top in fundraising against challenger Brian Scott.

Leon County’s legislative delegation is comprised of Sen.

Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia offered an apology this week to those she offended when she said that being “gay is not a permanent thing” on the Senate floor earlier this month.

Artist and gallery owner Lina Teixeira has defeated Aaron Smith-Levin for the Clearwater City Council District 5 seat Tuesday night.

Coast Guard veteran Chris Chambers has become the fourth Republican to jump into the race for Florida’s 14th Congressional District to potentially challenge Democratic incumbent U.

John Dingfelder has resigned from his seat on the Tampa City Council.