News & Views Archives - Page 11 of 2094 - Creative Loafing Tampa

‘They want a progressive top of the ticket’: What Florida Democrats could learn from Angie Nixon

“Progressives are for Medicare for all, for ending genocide abroad, for a variety of issues that take the next step that some institutional Democrats are afraid to take.”

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida August 20, 2026August 21, 2026

Byron Donalds won, but he also lost 16 counties in North Florida to Jay Collins. Why?

‘We can’t know why he underperformed there. But if a lack of enthusiasm translates into voters staying home, whatever the reason, this thing could come down to the wire.’

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

James Fishback

‘The next generation is fed up’: The James Fishback campaign has ended. What about the movement behind it?

“I think we’ve seen what the establishment Republicans have done for us, which is not very much. And James is very against that…”

by Colin Wolf, Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix August 20, 2026August 20, 2026

Judge says Florida teacher fired over Charlie Kirk comments should be reinstated with back pay

“Ms. Roller’s private Facebook post on her personal Facebook page was not unethical.”

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

A wide-angle interior photograph by Dave Decker showing a crowded luncheon event hosted by the Tampa Tiger Bay Club at the historic Cuban Club in Ybor City, Florida, on April 17, 2026. Set inside a large ballroom with teal ceilings and chandelier lighting, numerous tables are filled with attendees seated for lunch while facing a stage adorned with orange backdrop banners at the far end of the room. A photographer stands on the left framing the crowd, while a speaker or guest in a bright pink jacket walks down the right aisle toward the stage.

Tampa Tiger Bay Club hosts Hillsborough County Commission forum on Friday

All candidates who qualified for the November election are invited.

by Ray Roa August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

In runoff for Hillsborough school board, Daniela Simic will face Brittany Lyssy

School board races are non-partisan, but Lyssy is a former president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans.

by Ray Roa August 19, 2026August 21, 2026

A photograph showing political candidate Gary Hartfield sitting outdoors on a concrete bench at Kiley Garden in Tampa, Florida. Captured in a medium three-quarter shot, Hartfield sits with his hands clasped together in his lap, looking directly forward toward the camera. He wears a grey plaid suit with a white dress shirt and dark blue tie. Behind him, the open-air plaza features green lawn strips, a white concrete wall, metal railings, and the distant rooftops and spires of downtown Tampa under a partly cloudy sky.

Tampa mayoral candidate Gary Hartfield hosts campaign launch event on Thursday

The 55-year-old filed to run last March.

by Ray Roa August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

Kimberly Overman at New World Tampa, on Aug. 18, 2026

Tampa Bay Democratic congressional candidates Overman, Kirschner and Gray win primaries

“This race is about sending a leader to Washington who will put Floridians first,” said Overman while speaking to a crowd at New World Tampa.

by Leif Helland August 19, 2026August 21, 2026

A photograph by Dave Decker showing Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers on the left and Aileen Rodriguez in the center seated at a panel table at the C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library in Tampa, Florida, on July 9, 2026. Captured in a wide shot, Myers speaks into a microphone while wearing a turquoise cardigan with black trim and dark-rimmed glasses. Seated next to her, Rodriguez wears a bright magenta pink blazer and cat-eye glasses, listening intently alongside a third panelist seated on the right in a dark jacket.

Democrats Gwen Myers, Aileen Rodriguez, earn landslide victories in Hillsborough County Commission primaries

In the District 7 primary, Republican incumbent Donna Cameron Cepeda lost to Stacy Hanh.

by Ray Roa August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch will defend his seat in November runoff against Charlie Crist

Crist earned 35% of the vote Tuesday night, with Welch bringing in 20.5%,

by Ray Roa August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

A photograph by Dave Decker showing former U.S. Rep. David Jolly speaking at 1920 Ybor in Ybor City, Florida, on August 17, 2026. Captured in a half-length portrait against a large, textured American flag backdrop, Jolly stands smiling toward the audience behind two microphones on a stand. He wears a dark navy blazer over an open-collared white dress shirt, illuminated by soft stage lighting.

Republican Byron Donalds and alleged liberal David Jolly will compete to be Florida’s next governor

The result was somewhat predictable, but the primary ended the early part of a campaign season that has been punctuated by some unusual side stories.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

A photograph by Dave Decker showing Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon speaking at an event at Equality Park in Broward County, Florida, on August 14, 2026. Captured in a medium shot behind a podium, Nixon speaks into a hand-held microphone while placing her left hand on the lectern. She wears a bright pink blazer over a white graphic t-shirt featuring bold black text reading "GOOD TROUBLE," paired with colorful beaded bracelets on her left wrist and visible arm tattoos. Behind her under warm indoor lighting, several attendees stand watching the address, including a man in a tan suit and tie to her right and a man with a dark beard to her left.

Despite 16 to 1 fundraising gap, Florida Rep. Angie Nixon wins US Senate primary by double digits

In her victory speech, Nixon called for unity but also took aim at her new opponent, Ashley Moody.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

Former Florida Republican lawmaker Mike Caruso arrested on child sexual abuse charges

Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Caruso from office today, which came one year after he appointed him as clerk.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida August 18, 2026August 18, 2026

Outspent and outnumbered: At Ybor City rally, David Jolly makes his case for winning Florida

“Byron Donalds has spent more than $50 million dollars and his number are getting worse.”

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

Corporations and Trump love Byron Donalds, but do Florida Republican voters feel the same way?

When it comes to fundraising support, Donalds is in a league of his own.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix August 17, 2026August 17, 2026

‘Get politics out of our classrooms’: Groups look to remove Moms For Liberty school board candidates in Tampa Bay

Joe Saunders, director of Equality Florida’s PAC, said that this year the organization is “bringing an end to the extremism and sideshows.”

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix August 17, 2026August 17, 2026

A wide-angle interior photograph showing the empty St. Petersburg City Council Chambers in St. Petersburg, Florida, on November 18, 2014. Captured from behind a curved, polished wooden dais lined with dark leather executive chairs, microphones, and computer monitors, the room features carpeted flooring and rows of grey spectator chairs facing a central presentation screen on the back wall. Coffer-style wooden ceiling panels with warm lighting fixtures overhead and a framed tropical landscape painting on the left wall illuminate the municipal assembly room.

St. Pete City Council rejects proposal to buy paper products made using prison labor

A rep said inmates working for PRI Enterprises make 30 cents to $1.05 an hour.

by Sebastián González de León y León and San Pedro Gazette August 17, 2026August 17, 2026

A photograph of St. Petersburg City Councilman Richie Floyd speaking at an event at Equality Park in Broward County, Florida, on August 14, 2026. Captured in a full-length shot inside a dimly lit venue under soft accent lighting, Floyd stands at a black podium holding a microphone while addressing the room. The podium displays a sign reading "CHOMP the OLIGARCHY" above an illustration of an alligator. Floyd wears a dark t-shirt featuring red text above his shorts, set against a large projection screen in the background displaying the same "CHOMP THE OLIGARCHY" graphic, with attendees seated on either side of the stage.

Photos: St. Pete City Councilman Richie Floyd helps rally DSA candidates at ‘Chomp The Oligarchy’ event in South Florida

Florida Rep. Angie Nixon and union organizer Oliver Larkin are running against centrist candidates.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker August 17, 2026August 17, 2026

Election workers inserting paper ballots into tabulator machines at a Hillsborough County voting location

As voters cast ballots, Florida election advocates push to open state’s closed primary system

The Sunshine State is one of only 10 with completely closed primary systems, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

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

Florida’s roundest house is back on the market

Baller? Shot caller? Ball-like home on the coast of Florida?

by Colin Wolf August 14, 2026August 14, 2026