Mitch Perry, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

Florida state Representative Dotie Joseph stands smiling indoors in front of an American flag and a wood-paneled wall. The public official, with long braided hair, is wearing a royal blue top paired with a patterned blue and grey blazer. An open dark doorway is visible to the right, showing a blurred view of a legislative chamber background.

Here are the five Democrats lined up against David Jolly in the Florida governor’s race

Florida state Rep. Dotie Joseph and a graduate of Tampa’s Robinson High School are among those hoping to upset the former Republican in the August primary.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 24, 2026June 24, 2026

With Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings dropping out of the race due to health problems, former Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly would appear the clear frontrunner in the Democratic primary for governor taking place on Aug. 18. However, Democratic voters looking for an alternative will have choices: Five other candidates have qualified to run for the nomination. […]

Six political candidates sitting in a panel lineup on a stage with a white curtain backdrop during a debate or forum.

Hillsborough GOP congressional candidates say they will not accept donations from AIPAC

They also stated we should cut off Ukraine funding.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Florida Congressman Byron Donalds speaking on stage at a political event, seated in a blue armchair in front of United States and Florida state flags.

Florida GOP gubernatorial candidates blast party’s decision to not hold debate

Only Byron Donalds would have qualified to participate at the ‘Sunshine State Showdown’ on June 27.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 15, 2026June 15, 2026

Lawsuit claims language in Florida’s proposed property tax amendment is ‘biased’

The lawsuit doesn’t address the policy proposed, instead taking aim at the ballot summary language the voters will see, which is labeled, “SAVE OUR HOMES FROM EXCESSIVE PROPERTY TAXES.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

Two-way protected bike lane under construction on Jackson Street in downtown Tampa, Florida, featuring painted bicycle symbols, a yellow dividing line, and orange construction signs.

Tampa Bay ranked most dangerous region for pedestrians in Florida, and the 8th most dangerous in nation, says study

Nine of the 27 most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians in the U.S. are in Florida.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo speaking at a podium with a sign that reads "Supporting Floridians" in front of American and Florida state flags.

Tampa Bay Democrat Sen. Darryl Rouson will not run for the Florida House this year

The veteran legislator said he had ‘heard the calls in recent months’ from community members to continue serving in Tallahassee, but ultimately opted not to for the HD 62 seat.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 9, 2026June 10, 2026

Trulieve medical and recreational cannabis dispensary storefront sign in Miami, Florida.

Florida’s Trulieve set to become first cannabis company listed on the NYSE

Voting shares are expected to begin trading on the NYSE floor under the ticker symbol TRLV on Wednesday morning.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

Protesters carrying American and Trump flags gather outside the US Capitol Building during the January 6 riots in Washington DC.

Florida U.S. Senator Ashley Moody votes against Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization’ payments to J6 rioters

Florida’s other senator, Rick Scott, voted no on the amendment.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

Industrial power plant stacks rising above a dense green forest canopy under a clear sky.

St. Petersburg agrees to look at benefits of ditching Duke in favor of city-run electric utility

The decision to hire the consulting firm comes as the 30-year franchise agreement with Duke Energy is set to expire on Aug. 1.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 5, 2026June 5, 2026

Florida State Representative Lindsay Cross smiling in a green blazer, standing in front of a WMNF 88.5 FM radio station backdrop.

St. Pete Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross says she will not run for re-election

Cross’ announcement comes late in the 2026 election cycle. The qualifying deadline for legislative seats is Friday, June 12.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 4, 2026June 5, 2026

Close-up of high-quality medical marijuana flower buds with orange hairs and green trichomes, isolated on a white background, representing Pennsylvania-grown cannabis.

Florida officials weigh in on the federal rescheduling of medical marijuana

“For decades, cannabis was misclassified in a way that created unnecessary barriers for legal operators and slowed meaningful progress.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 2, 2026June 2, 2026

Tampa downtown city skyline and skyscrapers at sunrise with the cruise port in the foreground.

DeSantis’ property tax plan will hurt small businesses, make Florida ‘more unaffordable,’ says advocates

“We know this is a tax shift,” said Jeff Scala, deputy director with FAC in a webinar with members. “They’re framing this as a tax cut.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

People wearing face masks standing in line to vote outside Cooper City Hall in Florida during the 2020 election.

Poll shows 20% of Florida Hispanics who voted for Trump in 2024 say they wouldn’t do it again

The survey indicates Latino voters in Florida skew more conservative than those nationally.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

Florida schools, healthcare, public safety could lose millions under DeSantis property tax plan

“I think there’s a reason why the governor didn’t want to show his work today.”

by Mitch Perry, Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

Former Florida Congressman David Jolly speaking into a microphone at a town hall meeting or political event with an attentive audience in the background.

Florida Democrat David Jolly wants an Office of Civil Rights in the Governor’s Office

His comments came as DeSantis has applied a sledgehammer to vestiges of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the state.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Florida spent $92 million on toilets at immigration sites: ‘We’ve saved taxpayers money,’ says DeSantis

The total tax dollars spent on “Alligator Alcatraz” and “Deportation Depot” — Florida’s other state-run detention center — is at least $460 million.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

U.S. Representative Lois Frankel speaking at a House committee hearing.

78-year-old Democrat Lois Frankel says she’ll run in Florida’s Congressional District 23 this year

CD 23 is now held by fellow Democrat Jared Moskowitz, but he is expected to run for another seat after his district was carved up.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 7, 2026May 7, 2026

Close-up of high-quality medical marijuana flower buds with orange hairs and green trichomes, isolated on a white background, representing Pennsylvania-grown cannabis.

Just one candidate running for Florida governor supports recreational marijuana

Democrat David Jolly says the fact that a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis in 2024 is why he supports making it legal.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

lorida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium with "The Free State of Florida" sign, flanked by the American and Florida flags

DeSantis signs bill making new gerrymandered congressional map official

House Democratic Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a blistering statement hours after DeSantis signed the map into law, saying “see you in court.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 4, 2026May 4, 2026

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor speaking with a constituent in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, during her 2026 re-election campaign

Despite new maps, Florida Democratic Reps. Kathy Castor & Debbie Wasserman Schultz say they’re running again

Their districts have become much more Republican-leaning following passage of a new redistricting map.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 4, 2026May 4, 2026