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David Jolly has explained his switch to the Democratic Party to their satisfaction in his bid for the party’s nomination for governor."},{"_id":"FAF64OOOUNGNFOVW2USO26ZECE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I think we’ve had an issue in Florida in that we have a tendency to have former Republicans running as (Democratic) candidates for governor,” said Melissa Doff, 64, referencing former Gov. Charlie Crist’s ill-fated runs in 2022 and 2014. ”He has work to do to sway a certain set of Democrats and especially progressives that he is going to be a candidate for them. He’s shown us on all of the issues that he is that person, and I honestly believe his word is true.”"},{"_id":"25QN2A33WNE4PASLSDKXYW2F3A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"It was minutes before Jolly took the stage Friday with his new running mate, former Democratic U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, for a rally with party loyalists at the Tampa Woman’s Club in South Tampa. "},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"6TZTFW62WJFEFMB3RT5H5EKFKM","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781308985503-49r9r15b6","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Field set for Florida 2026 governor race as qualifying closes"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/12/desantis-governor-candidates-collins-donalds-renner-jolly-fishback/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"PL6HBDNHBVDQDP6H6X3M5CHRJE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Trust with core Democrats will be crucial for Jolly because he won’t be tested in a primary, when candidates typically court party faithful. After Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings dropped out last week, no other viable Democratic candidate is standing in his way. This lets Jolly focus on convincing independents and even moderate Republicans to support his campaign."},{"_id":"VRRRPZJVGZBOXFA67YAOQPWX5U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"His <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/10/florida-governor-david-jolly-gwen-graham-2026-democrat/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/10/florida-governor-david-jolly-gwen-graham-2026-democrat/\">announcement Wednesday that he was choosing Graham</a>, known as a centrist, to be his lieutenant governor doubled down on his middle-of-the-road strategy. He calls his partnership with Graham, the daughter of popular Democratic governor and senator Bob Graham, a “consensus ticket.”"},{"_id":"IQYZ7MUJP5HRNC4EGU3XMZSIAU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I wanted to demonstrate in this moment I was going to find a governing partner capable of leading the state,” Jolly said. “That’s the most important thing. Politics all flow from there.” "},{"_id":"4KNA3YHR3NEWDP2OISFPYFRN7E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But some Democrats fret that by avoiding a primary, progressives skeptical of Jolly’s party switch may feel left behind. That could depress turnout in the Nov. 3 general election, making an office Democrats haven’t won in 32 years ever more elusive. "},{"_id":"5KU5TEL7VJFJBHJLN2I4GJRPRI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I think Jolly is fine, but I don’t trust him as a Democrat,” said Kristian Denny, a spokesperson for Demings’ campaign. “The Democrats are stuck with another former Republican for governor, and that’s just sad. Where are the Democrats in Florida? What happened to them?”"},{"_id":"TAW24I3AXVEFHDB2RGFA4HFQFQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly, 53, takes such doubts in stride. Be it in interviews or lively stump speeches, he delivers a staunch defense of his moderate views."},{"_id":"KMLED5H6S5DYFF3K5CNAF6A6KA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I get this question a lot: ‘Oh, are Jolly and Graham too moderate?’” Jolly told the crowd Friday. “Labels don’t matter in this environment. This is a moment where we have big problems and we need big solutions. And so, what’s emerging is not whether or not we’re going left or right, but whether we’re going forward. Whether we’re going forward is a consensus, not just within our own party, but beyond our party, with independents and Republicans.”"},{"_id":"6ESWL2FULJCWLNK36I2N3AF6YE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When Jolly and Graham, 63, served in Congress, they overlapped from 2015 to 2017. As with now, it was a time of division that made taking centrist positions difficult."},{"_id":"E52FRM2NBJFXVMEHPWO24TADFY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On the right, Donald Trump launched his bid for the presidency, and the U.S. House’s Freedom Caucus regularly pushed to shut down the government in its bid for more spending cuts. On the left, Bernie Sanders and the Democrats’ progressive wing battled Hillary Clinton and the party’s establishment wing, splitting the left. That schism weakened Democratic unity and led to a stunning loss of the White House in 2016."},{"_id":"ZBQE66LMFZAKPHEPVMHFDVG26I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"While Jolly and Graham hailed from different parties, they shared a key trait: bucking party orthodoxy. Representing moderate Pinellas County, Jolly refused to say that he’d vote for Trump after the reality TV star won the nomination in 2016. Jolly pushed back against the Freedom Caucus and pursued stronger gun laws. In two years, he’d quit the party before becoming a Democrat last year."},{"_id":"F4CFO4A67RDPDATVNN2476BK2U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Graham voted in favor of the Keystone pipeline and rolling back Wall Street reforms. Those votes frustrated many in the Democratic base. In two years, she’d run for Florida governor but lose in the primary to Andrew Gillum, a more progressive candidate."},{"_id":"D5EO26B3HBHNXKRQQVOUKAPTFY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But while in Congress, Jolly and Graham formed a bipartisan congressional caucus and co-sponsored legislation, such as adding five years to a ban on oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico in 2015."},{"_id":"WHJNK7W2L5EJHEV3CWM3XXOIAU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"They promise to ditch the scorched-earth politics of Gov. Ron DeSantis and today’s GOP."},{"_id":"3YEQKC4QOVAQJIXRFHDVQRNUPU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Dave and I met each other 10 years ago when we worked on opposite sides of the aisle,” Graham said Friday. “But we worked together for Florida’s benefit, and that’s absolutely what we bring to this race, too.”"},{"_id":"G5JHMXQ3DNC4DM5JPUFOLSS3VA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly might rely on Graham, a prominent supporter of abortion rights, to shield him from flak from the left about his record on abortion."},{"_id":"6T6K5KETMFHINLHYSC2QXN44A4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"While in Congress, Jolly voted to defund Planned Parenthood, the chief advocate supporting a woman’s right to abortion. Jolly has expressed regrets, telling a Tampa crowd in April that he had been<i> </i>“wrongly applying many of my faith teachings to a critical constitutional question” while in Congress."},{"_id":"YUTLZYUSTBAC5CZ7KGCLIFRNKQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Change is part of my story,” he said. “And so I speak openly about my change because I celebrate my change in politics”"},{"_id":"TRLQ5RO4ZJEN3KUC2WAM2VAZXY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That message resonated Friday."},{"_id":"QAVSYNRIFNFKLBCV4CLDUPDLNE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I like to say he’s evolved,” said Clara Morgan, 70, a Pasco Democrat. “Now he’s married, and he’s got a little girl, a progressive wife. When things come closer to your life, you pay more attention.”"},{"_id":"65ARFOJJFNGW7IMK6472JTCICI","type":"raw_html","content":"<style>.subtext-iframe{max-width:540px;}iframe#subtext_embed{width:1px;min-width:100%;min-height:256px;}</style><div class=\"subtext-iframe\"><iframe id=\"subtext_embed\" class=\"subtext-embed-iframe\" src=\"https://joinsubtext.com/c/politi-texts-florida?embed=true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe></div>\n<script>fetch(\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alpha-group/iframe-resizer/master/js/iframeResizer.min.js\").then(function(r){return r.text();}).then(function(t){return new Function(t)();}).then(function(){iFrameResize({heightCalculationMethod:\"lowestElement\"},\"#subtext_embed\");});<\/script>"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"YCDQ2FAYFZA3BBZYFTAMLZOYBI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms:</b> <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/02/12/hakeem-jeffries-democrats-house-control-congress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Can Democrats retake the US House? It could depend on Florida</a>"},{"_id":"HSDHM3Q2ZNC4HBHVN6ZR6F75HQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Voter issues: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/28/byron-donalds-james-fishback-iran-affordability-jeffrey-epstein/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">These 4 issues make Florida’s midterms a tougher slog for Republicans</a>"},{"_id":"37CLFNDETFG2NFRA46K7SVGVBU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Race for the Governor’s Mansion: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/01/21/governor-2026-donalds-collins-renner-fishback-desantis-endorsement-demings-jolly/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Is the Florida governor’s race set?</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"After announcing Graham as his running mate, Jolly’s campaign stopped in South Tampa to introduce the ticket to voters."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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Lindsay Cross, a Democrat in St. Petersburg who said she wanted to <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/04/florida-2026-midterm-lindsay-cross-st-petersburg-democrat/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/04/florida-2026-midterm-lindsay-cross-st-petersburg-democrat/\">stay closer to home</a>. There was Sen. Ed Hooper, the powerful Pinellas Republican <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/05/26/florida-budget-2026-legislature-ai-adap-voucher-money/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/05/26/florida-budget-2026-legislature-ai-adap-voucher-money/\">budget chairperson</a> who <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/13/legislature-senate-hooper-nocco-pasco-sheriff-politics-election/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/13/legislature-senate-hooper-nocco-pasco-sheriff-politics-election/\">retired</a> after a turbulent two years. In Pasco County, Republican Reps. Jeff Holcomb and Kevin Steele chose to run for other offices."},{"_id":"67BKTL4ACVE7DH4NG4WJKVV4XU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In South Florida, Sens. Tina Polsky and Shevrin Jones, two Democrats, also announced their plans to leave the Legislature."},{"_id":"CX5JH6NQTFE3JNXWGXAHYVFPTI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"While candidates may have selected their heir apparent, the open seats leave room for anyone to rush in. And they did: On Friday, more than 300 candidates qualified to run for the state House and Senate."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"URCYT5O2B5FH3EPDKI37X65UDY","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781300029879-gtyrm37yk","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Who's running for the US House in Tampa Bay after redistricting?"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/12/redistricting-desantis-congress-anna-paulina-luna-kathy-castor-election-primary/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"4ESIP52M3NFTVDMHTIDRB6QRDQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Meanwhile, two Florida incumbents will, for the first time, test their statewide electability. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Florida’s attorney general and chief financial officer. This year, they’ll see whether voters want to keep them in their posts."},{"_id":"THVGGYTN4FEITBYCUCRNXJYZNY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"No Tampa Bay seat will be decided without an election. All candidates face at least one opponent."},{"_id":"R7CFOLRHTRGMVB6GFETAO5VST4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Below are the state legislative and Cabinet races on Tampa Bay’s ballots for the Aug. 18 primary."},{"_id":"IHOXAUUR3BHOPO4W3FYV5IK5OA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida is a closed-primary state, meaning only voters of the same political party can vote in a Republican or Democratic primary."},{"_id":"KGPKLQLIONCKXMMTTFFFPM4NDI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But some races are open to all voters, including universal primaries, which happen when all candidates have the same party and the winners face no opposition in the general election."},{"level":2,"_id":"KAHKIIUENJEAJB2HOFHHNN76QQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Chief financial officer"},{"_id":"HT2BZLWSAVH2RK3RSEOUPLMFXE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Longtime legislator and DeSantis ally Blaise Ingoglia was chosen by the governor last year to be Florida’s chief financial officer, responsible for handling the state’s books and regulating banks and insurance companies."},{"_id":"Y2ZWWCHYQRDGTIDW5QLFPTMFVE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Ingoglia, a Republican, has generated headlines around the state by doing audits claiming that local governments were <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/01/28/ingoglia-st-petersburg-doge-fafo-wasteful-spending/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/01/28/ingoglia-st-petersburg-doge-fafo-wasteful-spending/\">overspending</a>, part of a campaign by DeSantis to justify cutting property taxes this year. Ingoglia is facing off in the GOP primary against Frank W. Collige, the owner of a public adjusting firm that helps homeowners and businesses with their insurance claims."},{"_id":"ZPFYGFQAQBFPLBVOUZ52GR2ZK4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Democrats will also have a primary election. Former Miami state Sen. Annette Taddeo, who was Charlie Crist’s pick for lieutenant governor during his 2014 run for governor, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/08/taddeo-cfo-ingoglia-campaign-democrat/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">announced last week</a>. Earle Ford, an Army veteran and attorney, raised more than half a million dollars to unseat GOP U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Pinellas County before <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/21/anna-paulina-luna-redistricting-earle-ford-leela-gray-st-petersburg-democrat/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">switching to run for CFO</a> last month."},{"level":2,"_id":"RNOMXJIKB5FZZL3R52BWPAN2QI","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Commissioner of Agriculture"},{"_id":"XRUE7W3PQ5AJNBYHQEWQKSSMDI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Republican Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson easily won election four years ago, is <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/02/wilton-simpson-donald-trump-byron-donalds-florida-commissioner-of-agriculture/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">endorsed by President Donald Trump</a> and has raised more than $10 million for his campaign."},{"_id":"TXJJUWI5JNGKLCCQ5ZAS2WJ52A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Still, the industrial egg farmer from Trilby is facing a primary challenge from <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/26/election-bill-change-party-affiliation-name-primary/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Matt Taylor</a>, a welder and internet personality known as Matt The Welder. Taylor ran unsuccessfully for Hillsborough County Commission in 2024."},{"_id":"ZRD6VGMTNFCIRGQ7XYVC4GFZTI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Two Democrats — injury attorney Joey Mendoza Atkins and Pembroke Park Police Department Capt. Donald A. “Don” Prichard — will compete in their party’s primary."},{"level":2,"_id":"WPP6D6QKVFEEFMF4QHTC7F2OEM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"State Senate District 16"},{"_id":"SQRXVDLCD5ES5PCXJOKJGYDIEI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Two prominent Tampa Bay Democrats will go head-to-head in the race to replace longtime Sen. Darryl Rouson, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/09/new-college-florida-rouson-legislature-corcoran-petersburg/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/09/new-college-florida-rouson-legislature-corcoran-petersburg/\">who is leaving</a> because of term limits. "},{"_id":"URCICLNRHVG4TPCQ7HL4TSTDGA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Rep. Michele Rayner, an attorney who lives in St. Petersburg, is running against Rep. Fentrice Driskell, the House minority leader who lives in Tampa."},{"_id":"YHUAG4KZ2VCNDJU4VWCFNHIQWI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Because the two Democrats are the only candidates qualified, any registered voter in the district will be able to cast their ballot."},{"level":2,"_id":"4UJXFGR7TZEIFIHV6EHJP6QSSU","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"State Senate District 18 "},{"_id":"4VFUR5TWORAELLNHQKPYHJB5UU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Senate incumbent Nick DiCeglie, an Indian Rocks Beach Republican, will face one of two Democrats in the fall."},{"_id":"WHQVQ7JXQVAD3IKWQDKXPI3STU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Linda Kellis Harris, a bookkeeper at a Pinellas Park realty company, will face Karla Kemp, an insurance agent who was running for Luna’s seat until shifting her candidacy on Thursday."},{"level":2,"_id":"ZEJY3XCUERBO3CL7YYVQL3EA2Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"State Senate District 20"},{"_id":"2EJWAMO3KREWZF3CV3E24IUEME","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida’s incoming Senate president, Sen. Jim Boyd, will face a Democrat in the fall before he can secure reelection in the seat covering part of Manatee and Hillsborough counties."},{"_id":"ZJKEFJZZ4JDRLDEKTECH45WB6U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Democrats Gerald Baldi and John Houman will face off in a primary election before facing Boyd in the general election."},{"level":2,"_id":"Y7P2VZLPFNGJNHNS6BAMXMCLGY","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"State House District 53"},{"_id":"XHPXFWDH6BFMFLXCA2POSGMSCM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Two Republicans are vying to replace Rep. Jeff Holcomb, who is leaving the Pasco-Hernando district to run for the Hernando County Commission."},{"_id":"WMQ7GE4XIZDCBJEOZSJOYK4IBA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"John Carroll, a Florida State Guard volunteer who was appointed to the Hernando County Housing Authority by DeSantis, is facing fellow Republican and longtime Hernando County Commissioner Brian Hawkins."},{"_id":"3S7RBIKOAFDK3AEWHA47BKHRMA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The winner will face a Democrat and a Constitution Party of Florida candidate in November."},{"level":2,"_id":"ILUXKZPA7FAYZHRHWWZPM77I34","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"State House District 54 "},{"_id":"4BDHD5L2DBAHFI6BDOBHEFZE6I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Republican Rep. Randy Maggard, vice president of Sonny’s Discount Appliances, has represented parts of Pasco County since first being elected to the House in 2019, but he’s facing a primary challenge from real estate agent Michael Pultorak. "},{"_id":"QGDHNEIOYJC6JKRQ6F2DJ2XSQE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Because a last-minute write-in candidate qualified for the race, the primary election will be closed. Only Republican voters will be able to participate."},{"level":2,"_id":"S2ZQE3DYTRCLVL24XP3AJI2EUM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"State House District 55"},{"_id":"LC73HCUSNNCB3DWSWVNS2BTLUA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"With the incumbent Steele choosing to run for Congress, two Republicans and a Democrat are vying for the Pasco County seat. "},{"_id":"4ZW7WDLMABCFJOEPJTHCKLSZ3Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Matthew Skeeter Abbott, a commissioner for the Pasco County Mosquito Control District since 2007, faces Pasco County Fire Rescue Capt. Walter Price in the Republican primary. "},{"_id":"SBCGDACKFRFT3LKBNPW6WP23TE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The winner will face Democrat Zach Funkhouser in November."},{"level":2,"_id":"YFWJH46YDJBM5LXXMEAFYVL2MA","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"State House District 62 "},{"_id":"HZGEGLNSNJA77IGSMZZF7QUXJY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Only Democrats qualified for the<b> </b>Florida House district that runs from southern St. Petersburg across to part of western Hillsborough County, meaning Republicans and independent voters will also be able to cast their ballot for the race."},{"_id":"Z4NGB76NGFFHZATMK7KHDGYTZI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The seat is being vacated by Rayner, who is running for state Senate."},{"_id":"SXGQMTAMFNB7JPWGF26MM5KPW4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Kyandra Darling, a legislative aide supported by progressive U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, will face<b> </b>Wengay Newton, a former House representative who ran unsuccessfully for office in 2022."},{"level":2,"_id":"US7ZBFNM4VFUDEB52XBC2S6UK4","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"State House District 63"},{"_id":"GPR4HJBL7VGKHOQHDMT5ZLOR4E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Like its neighboring district, only Democrats qualified to run for Rep. Dianne Hart-Lowman’s Tampa area seat."},{"_id":"U5IKXQCIYJG3PNHESWUFFRBW6Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Hart-Lowman has represented the seat, which covers Ybor City, since 2018 and is leaving office due to term limits."},{"_id":"U7YEZPGC3JBTXLDBAIHW4XC5XI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jacqueline Coffie-Leeks, a nonprofit director, will run against Conrad Schupay, a West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran, and Robin Lockett, a community organizer."},{"level":2,"_id":"ZA2LMANMQ5H4BFAIHZIQBLJXQQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"State House District 64"},{"_id":"U2WPOF3OTVAN3JNSLO5OUXY6GM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The race for Rep. Susan Valdés’ seat, which she will vacate because of term limits, has drawn the most candidates of any Tampa Bay legislative race."},{"_id":"RWYJKHRJVJALTB3OS3GB3BTQTM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Valdés was elected as a Democrat but <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2024/12/09/hillsborough-democrat-susan-valdes-switches-republican-party/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2024/12/09/hillsborough-democrat-susan-valdes-switches-republican-party/\">changed her party registration</a> to Republican after the 2024 election. The seat covers parts of West Tampa."},{"_id":"TMRRFXKTGBH7HLHBLO7HE36ITU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Republicans facing off include Angel Ramos, an information technology specialist and businessperson; Amaro Lionheart, who ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2022; and Dan Weldon, an attorney for the injury firm Morgan &amp; Morgan."},{"_id":"QTB2P6F6IBEERI7QPNGUO7ZQTA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Three Democrats will compete in the primary: John Rodriguez, a longtime legislative assistant; Luis Salazar, a community advocate; and Mike Suarez, a former member of the Tampa City Council."},{"_id":"65ARFOJJFNGW7IMK6472JTCICI","type":"raw_html","content":"<style>.subtext-iframe{max-width:540px;}iframe#subtext_embed{width:1px;min-width:100%;min-height:256px;}</style><div class=\"subtext-iframe\"><iframe id=\"subtext_embed\" class=\"subtext-embed-iframe\" src=\"https://joinsubtext.com/c/politi-texts-florida?embed=true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe></div>\n<script>fetch(\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alpha-group/iframe-resizer/master/js/iframeResizer.min.js\").then(function(r){return r.text();}).then(function(t){return new Function(t)();}).then(function(){iFrameResize({heightCalculationMethod:\"lowestElement\"},\"#subtext_embed\");});<\/script>"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"4IDO5YSWTJCLLGLVTTB23YQXLQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\">St. Petersburg and Wauchula are in the same congressional district. We drove it</a>"},{"_id":"GNVYQ7ZSWRBU7KZ2YGHTQBO3EU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Property tax amendment: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/desantis-has-claims-about-his-tax-amendment-heres-what-it-actually-does/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">DeSantis has claims about his tax amendment. Here’s what it actually does.</a>"},{"_id":"V3YO2MDKVFGRVOOKWTQZNWHHPQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Mail ballots: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\">Mail ballot requests are down across Tampa Bay</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Several incumbents are not seeking reelection."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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Reach her at rellenbogen@tampabay.com. \n","_id":"romy-ellenbogen","additional_properties":{"original":{"lastName":"Ellenbogen","secondLastName":"","education":[],"role":"Tallahassee Correspondent","native_app_rendering":false,"affiliations":"","bio":"Romy Ellenbogen is a Tallahassee correspondent, covering state government with a focus on criminal justice and health. Reach her at rellenbogen@tampabay.com. \n","twitter":"romyellenbogen","contributor":false,"custom_tagline":"Contact Romy Ellenbogen at rellenbogen@tampabay.com. Follow @romyellenbogen.","beat":"Times staff","bio_page":"","last_updated_date":"2023-05-15T13:19:05.065Z","byline":"Romy Ellenbogen","email":"rellenbogen@tampabay.com","slug":"romy-ellenbogen","image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/2636a2be-bdb1-4fd6-8af2-1678e1b54fd1.png","longBio":"As a lifelong Floridian, I know how much this state offers beyond the stereotypes and I’m grateful I get to tell some of its story. I cover our state government, with a focus on criminal justice and health. I’m interested in who gets a voice and who doesn’t, keeping elected leaders accountable and making sure people don’t get lost in the politicking. Tell me what you’re curious about — I bet you’re not the only one wondering. 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Qualifying ended Friday for candidates for the state Legislature.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Handouts","edit_url":"","source_type":"handout","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"4d6faf50-1a35-4bda-b3c5-1ecf3e31e917"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3XAA4AQ3NZD5PBGJMUFXID2XDY.JPG","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"mocner@miamiherald.com","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Photo by Matias J. 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She faces <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/02/19/longtime-educator-files-run-hillsborough-school-board/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/02/19/longtime-educator-files-run-hillsborough-school-board/\">Daniela Simic</a>, a longtime educator and former assistant superintendent for curriculum in the district, and Chris Taylor, a businessperson who used to be a teacher and coach and who serves on multiple education-related boards. "},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"BXEKSCWARNAJ5NGRV2BQBT24BI","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781293648372-d3fpvthyx","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"2 more candidates enter Hillsborough school board race"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/03/19/2-more-candidates-enter-hillsborough-school-board-race/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"JVCYFEKEMFGTXOHRRB5EYFYTVE","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781293771743-zv07ci9ew","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Hillsborough school board chair facing challengers in upcoming election"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/02/11/hillsborough-school-board-chair-facing-challengers-upcoming-election/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"GRLPS3T3B5GHLBDO6DO6C5DFTY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In District 6, incumbent board chairperson Karen Perez will face former school board chairperson Sally Harris Williamson as well as Kenneth Gay, who ran against Henry “Shake” Washington in a different district in 2024. Perez leads in campaign contributions at $37,632."},{"_id":"WDAWUBUAURG2FHFI54S5LDQHB4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, the teachers union. has endorsed Rendon, Simic and Perez. "},{"_id":"MNEJSWZHWVBRVCOHRCFA56HBSE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The most important thing to our members and employees is affordability,” union president Rob Kriete said. "},{"_id":"OUZKJ2C5URHNRI26WSIOAONT34","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Kriete said the current board has worked well with the union, and he hopes school leaders will continue to try to compensate teachers in a way that more closely reflects the inflation rate."},{"_id":"BNBEHDFKSNFZBFEAN3RP4QEI5I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"All school board members serve four-year terms. The other four positions are up for reelection in 2028. The election will take place Aug. 18, with runoffs in November."},{"_id":"SBTGK2MTDZF6TMOB53XEVLXTKE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>The Tampa Bay Times Education Hub reports on Florida’s schools and universities and the students they serve. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by </i><a href=\"https://secure.tampabay.com/forms/journalismfund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://secure.tampabay.com/forms/journalismfund\"><i>clicking here</i></a><i>.</i>"},{"_id":"HWD5GLBMKREMHOOKZFQG57GOB4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b> • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"DK55TFCFUNDF5MLH5RWT5TF6UU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\">St. Petersburg and Wauchula are in the same congressional district. We drove it</a>"},{"_id":"4EJHXUSMZ5FXPC4A2FHTY5H6AE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Property tax amendment: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/desantis-has-claims-about-his-tax-amendment-heres-what-it-actually-does/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">DeSantis has claims about his tax amendment. Here’s what it actually does.</a>"},{"_id":"TLPLUKNL5BAE5NQQ5Y5J5WIXMM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Mail ballots: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\">Mail ballot requests are down across Tampa Bay</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"The incumbent school board member in District 4 won another term after facing no opposition."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/education","parent_id":"/news","name":"The Education Gradebook","description":"Education and school news, including testing, class size, Florida Standards and Common Core, teaching and more for Florida and Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/education","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/education"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/education/","rotator_id":"PQRJDGVMLJHKNFNXN6QRRL3QS4","section_bullet_override":"Education","site_keywords":"Education News. 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"},{"_id":"SPPJD4LP4FG7HAAHDSLYTFFXWU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Then last-minute entries to the race foiled those plans as the qualifying period came to an end at noon. All seven incumbents who are up for reelection in<b> </b>Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will now face challengers. "},{"_id":"NVMOALQ4O5GAVMPKUXTADSKT3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In Hillsborough, Democrat Harry Cohen, who represents of the county’s coastal communities in District 1, suddenly faces a challenge from former state Rep. Jackie Toledo, a Republican. And Pinellas Republican Brian Scott, an at-large county commissioner, has attracted a late challenge from a Suncoast Sierra Club leader, Tim Hughes, a Democrat."},{"_id":"CZJIDNJCVJAZHA2FNCSX7JGYWM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"So every incumbent now faces a challenge, and in Hillsborough some of those hoping to spoil returns have already put up a spirited fundraising show."},{"_id":"3JWFZWA655AJDA426OEN2VXACU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Here’s a roundup of who will be on the ballot ahead of the Aug. 18 primary and the general election later this year. "},{"level":2,"_id":"OSXWBMY4NZFI5HUYBCUBATFI2I","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Four seats contested in Hillsborough County"},{"_id":"NSZFVBIKNNENLIEBJKDEFETFRI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"District 5 Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda, a Republican, faces Neil Manimala, a Democratic political newcomer who has built up a significant political war chest. "},{"_id":"EKFDL5CV7BH43PZFJPAKKYD7QQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Manimala, a urologist, graduated from King High School in Tampa and the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He has raised about $164,000 in monetary and in-kind contributions so far, including a $32,000 campaign loan. "},{"_id":"IHV7JBQ7LZAQ3FH7LJCDW3AXNI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Cameron Cepeda was elected to the at-large seat in 2022, riding a red wave to unseat the Democratic incumbent Mariella Smith. This is the first time she’s running for reelection. "},{"_id":"WT3HZR4W7JFINIRMT2MMUSC7PU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"She has raised more than $15,000 in contributions so far, including a $1,000 loan to herself. A Friends of Donna Cameron Cepeda political committee has reported $28,700 in contributions from 2025 to now. "},{"_id":"KJCUP3YDARFJ5FI4A3DZMSNYCQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The incumbent also faces a challenge from her own party. Republican Stacy Hahn, who has served on the Hillsborough County School Board since 2018, has racked up over $76,000 in contributions, including from Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. "},{"_id":"7CMOQ6DSXFCC3PGYTYNMOWOMII","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Countywide District 7 Commissioner Joshua Wostal, a Republican, hasn’t drawn competition from his own party but two Democrats are vying to face him in the general election. Wostal has collected more than $143,000 in both monetary and in-kind contributions. A political committee<b> </b>supporting his campaign, Friends of Joshua Wostal, has raised about $159,000 since 2025. "},{"_id":"OPXJCFNHL5A2XE6VF2EF2AZ3PY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Democrat Aileen Rodriguez has raised<b> </b>the most campaign contributions out of Wostal’s opponents.<b> </b>She is a former staffer for Republican U.S. Senator Mel Martinez and now runs her own public relations firm, AR Public Affairs and Strategic Solutions. "},{"_id":"XBFJ3TVDVBDXFBNDJ6MB3UZ2LE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"She has received more than $54,000 in monetary and in-kind contributions, including from current and former Democratic officeholders such as U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and former County Commissioner Pat Kemp. "},{"_id":"NQKF727WO5CVFLOQLFJEBH7O7A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Cindy Stuart, the former Hillsborough County Clerk of Court, joined the race as a Democrat just 11 days before the end of the qualifying period. Stuart, a former school board member, lost her reelection bid as Hillsborough clerk in 2024 to Republican Victor Crist. She hasn’t raised any contributions so far."},{"_id":"QAHCVKK23RFBZJQMBOYD5WOQRE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Cohen, who is up for reelection for his third term as District 1 Commissioner, has built up more than $100,000 in donations. A political committee supporting Cohen, Hillsborough Together, has also received nearly $390,000 since 2025. "},{"_id":"XZEIP6GP2ZF63JZAPHQ2JY6J7E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Most of that money came from three separate $100,000 contributions, two from his brother, Frank David Cohen, and another from FDC Capital Group, which is owned by his father, Gary Cohen. "},{"_id":"5UBBURCQZZCW5DDGE3ULCZ3SJI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Toledo served in the state House from 2016 to 2022 representing District 60, which then covered much of the same territory as the commission seat. She ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee in the 2022 Republican primary. Toledo has not reported any contributions yet. "},{"_id":"SFSHYZY62JALBKR5YRHNJCXGJ4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In District 3 serving much of central and eastern Tampa, Democratic incumbent Gwen Myers has over $126,000 in contributions. Her challengers, two Democrats and one Republican, haven’t gathered more than $30,000 combined. Myers has been a member of the board since 2020. "},{"_id":"WMJN6VARQBBCHPS5WSYGPMTF7M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Twanda E. Bradley, who is running as a Democrat, has about $18,200 in monetary and in-kind contributions. Quinton F. Robinson, another Democrat, has collected more than $11,300 in contributions. The Republican in the race, Luiz. F. F. Garcia, reported $160. "},{"_id":"Z2CO2T2JPNF6HCD7QBKOCOM62M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A referendum that will determine the future of the County Commission will also be on the ballot this year. A new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week aims to add two seats to the seven-member board and replace the three countywide seats with single-member districts representing parts of the county. "},{"_id":"GMTY6OCJHVDRJCLB5D4YE7YEQY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"If approved, the board would also add two more seats if the county population grows<b> </b>to 2.5 million residents, creating an 11-member board. "},{"level":2,"_id":"JT5CJBPHAJCGBKFF7GSQBGFTCM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Three contests loom in Pinellas County"},{"_id":"APP6RTRQBZH5XKLHLKLLEY7BBM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"There will be three commission seats on the ballot for Pinellas County this year. Challengers looking to unseat incumbents haven’t had significant fundraising so far. "},{"_id":"6ZE3OMQXDFGZTMTOQLP2AYVJMU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"District 2 Commissioner Scott, a Republican, has the biggest contribution base in the county having raised over $100,000. His political committee has received another $35,000. "},{"_id":"QOEDZZNDHZCJTJRFDAI5IQZ2OY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Hughes, his late challenger, hasn’t reported any contributions so far. He is the conservation chair for Suncoast Sierra Club, a local environmental advocacy group in Pinellas and Pasco counties. "},{"_id":"ZKRCHEC2PFGSBGLZ7JWSP2Z7KU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Hughes also worked as an environmental specialist at the Prince William County Public Works Department in northern Virginia for 20 years until he retired in December 2023. "},{"_id":"7UE4SFMS6BBHZB7VK553XRSPXY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In District 4, which covers<b> </b>northern Pinellas,<b> </b>Commissioner Dave Eggers serves as the board’s chairperson. Eggers, a Republican, was elected in 2024 and served as mayor of Dunedin before that. He will face another Republican, Anthony Ringelspaugh, who has raised $2,200 in contributions,<b> </b>in a primary that will determine who serves the next term.<b> </b>"},{"_id":"HGEXZMRH5FBSJCPLYKYGA43QOQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Republican incumbent Kathleen Peters also faces a sole challenger, but in her case for the general election. She has gathered just over $116,000 in contributions. Peters was elected to the County Commission in 2018 and served in the Florida House of Representatives for six years before that. "},{"_id":"GEBVAMIWXFHPBEX77PRALURYNU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Her opponent, Democrat David Glenn Jr, works as an architect and interior designer. He has raised over $3,400 in donations so far. "},{"_id":"65ARFOJJFNGW7IMK6472JTCICI","type":"raw_html","content":"<style>.subtext-iframe{max-width:540px;}iframe#subtext_embed{width:1px;min-width:100%;min-height:256px;}</style><div class=\"subtext-iframe\"><iframe id=\"subtext_embed\" class=\"subtext-embed-iframe\" src=\"https://joinsubtext.com/c/politi-texts-florida?embed=true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe></div>\n<script>fetch(\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alpha-group/iframe-resizer/master/js/iframeResizer.min.js\").then(function(r){return r.text();}).then(function(t){return new Function(t)();}).then(function(){iFrameResize({heightCalculationMethod:\"lowestElement\"},\"#subtext_embed\");});<\/script>"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"YCDQ2FAYFZA3BBZYFTAMLZOYBI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms:</b> <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/02/12/hakeem-jeffries-democrats-house-control-congress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Can Democrats retake the US House? It could depend on Florida</a>"},{"_id":"HSDHM3Q2ZNC4HBHVN6ZR6F75HQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Voter issues: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/28/byron-donalds-james-fishback-iran-affordability-jeffrey-epstein/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">These 4 issues make Florida’s midterms a tougher slog for Republicans</a>"},{"_id":"37CLFNDETFG2NFRA46K7SVGVBU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Race for the Governor’s Mansion: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/01/21/governor-2026-donalds-collins-renner-fishback-desantis-endorsement-demings-jolly/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Is the Florida governor’s race set</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"A former state House representative joined the race for Hillsborough’s District 1 Commissioner seat on Friday."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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"},{"_id":"MWZEZPDL55G7HHZ4F4L52KESHI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But the race’s front-runner, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, has already <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/11/byron-donalds-sunshine-showdown-debate-james-fishback-jay-collins/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/11/byron-donalds-sunshine-showdown-debate-james-fishback-jay-collins/\">refused to do so</a>. On Thursday, a campaign spokesperson said it wasn’t Donalds’ job to “legitimize campaigns that have failed to gain meaningful support.”"},{"_id":"RGQ4KPYPABBKJGMEGDO2S24JLE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Donalds’ campaign’s official shutdown of a debate came amid reports that the Republican Party of Florida used a strict threshold to disqualify the three other notable GOP candidates from debating at a Republican summit in late June. "},{"_id":"ILKJQKPZIVCKNHA7JXT37T6PSQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis alluded to that when asked at a West Palm Beach news conference on Friday."},{"_id":"O4C2S7L3FRE7JFHL6J6FNOFCEY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I’ve heard secondhand what the criteria was. I wouldn’t have qualified when I ran in ‘18 for what they were trying to do,” DeSantis said. "},{"_id":"LKJU2J4SFVBHBGMKDUD3XYFXMY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On Friday, the Florida GOP released its criteria to qualify for the debate: Candidates must have at least 10% support in a reputable poll, have raised more than $10 million and have secured more than 10,000 donors. "},{"_id":"VDC5UCEJA5B6XMTH2ILFBWGXZM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Under those criteria, only Donalds would qualify. "},{"_id":"KT673WC2OBCH7MVK6NNGVNU33A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“In a state as large and diverse as Florida, with its multiple media markets and complex political landscape, this remains a reasonable and accessible threshold,” the memo said."},{"_id":"KLCMWNHECNHPJKQ5GJY25E7UCQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis said it’s “counterproductive when you try to engineer an outcome,” pointing to indicators that it could be a difficult year for Republicans. "},{"_id":"XYCKW75U5JHDNHO3CRFONJEJW4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Allowing more voters to have their say, he said, the better. Strict criteria can alienate people and could weaken trust in the party’s brand, he said. "},{"_id":"MHEJQI6MDZBPVO7CC2GDNJFAGA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“What the party should be doing is doing what’s in the best interest of Republican voters,” he said. “You shouldn’t have another agenda.” "},{"_id":"4P5WO3YJXFHCLNIIYNXR2OAO5Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But DeSantis also said the party controlling debates is “ridiculous.” He said candidates could set up debates of their own through television, radio or podcasts. "},{"_id":"YAO57U4YJVDRFIA5F4RO7PS44M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A spokesperson for the Republican Party of Florida did not immediately return a request for comment. "},{"_id":"SRK4XHUOIBFXPIN367CF26OJZ4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In the primary, Donalds faces three other Republicans who have pushed him for a debate: investor James Fishback, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former House Speaker Paul Renner. "},{"_id":"3RTJN66S4ZGG3AFCNYIBQVY4PU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Though the Florida GOP only qualified Donalds for a debate, it had noted that other candidates would be at their flagship event and would have time on stage to share their ideas."},{"_id":"GGZNQ3M4BVGYPLUIVVZJGDDMIY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But Friday afternoon, the party yanked Fishback’s invite, pointing to his planned participation in a “rival, unsanctioned” debate that violates the party’s rules."},{"_id":"UHKERHXJSFFSNNHK7E7765TGBY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The party also said Fishback has spread “antisemitic and racist attacks” on party members. "},{"_id":"67QVCBXTBZD2NFGXMEU3GBAZPE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The Republican Party of Florida cannot sanction participation in official Party activities while simultaneously allowing candidates to undermine those same activities through competing events,” state party chairperson Evan Power said in a statement."},{"_id":"E7HYEFI3ZJHXDPNNEPWGZQFHXU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In response, Fishback said in a text that “the official Republican Party of Florida, which refuses to host a debate between Byron Donalds and me, is now banning me from their convention because I agreed to a debate with CBS News.”"},{"_id":"QKOGEAR4LVEXPLGHJ3T4ER7AHQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis has not endorsed a candidate to succeed him. The primary election is Aug. 18. "}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"U.S. Rep. Bryon Donalds has said he won’t debate his fellow Republicans. 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Ron DeSantis prepares to leave office, a slew of<b> </b>candidates are vying to take his place in the Governor’s Mansion."},{"_id":"OHZRAZ2UJVAAJKXJYMYNVKGZG4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In the Democratic primary, six candidates officially made it onto the ballot, according to the state Division of Elections <a href=\"https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/canlist.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/canlist.asp\">website</a>. That includes front-runner David Jolly, a former U.S. representative who appears all but certain to clinch his party’s nomination. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings dropped out of the race earlier this month following a prostate cancer diagnosis."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"VMLBE2KMSZGO3ISK227T3YBX5U","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781292429586-3b2ic3fhy","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Who’s running for the US House in Tampa Bay after redistricting?"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/12/redistricting-desantis-congress-anna-paulina-luna-kathy-castor-election-primary/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"PDTNO3TR4VE3HGQISXH4NQZF7Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Meanwhile, the battle for the GOP nomination will likely come down to three high-profile contenders trying to upset front-runner U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has a critical endorsement from President Donald Trump."},{"_id":"VRD4SVKW7BGXFNUKENIWHY6G4M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Donalds has held a consistent lead in GOP <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/florida-governor-election-polls-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/florida-governor-election-polls-2026.html\">primary polls</a>, and he benefits<b> </b>from the largest war chest across all candidates in the race: over $82 million as of May 31. "},{"_id":"CE56H44Z7FCPNGAHB4KKU2KLY4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida<b> </b>Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former House Speaker Paul Renner and investor James Fishback<b> </b>also qualified for the Republican<b> </b>primary, alongside seven others. None have raised more than $10 million so far. "},{"_id":"2D3HU5HKGNBPTHL7HUM5QHIPGE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly, a Republican-turned-Democrat, is emphasizing his centrist politics in hopes of pulling disaffected voters from the other side of the aisle. So far, he has raised $6 million."},{"_id":"T6JUF4UFDNDHFP7BLJK6PSR3CU","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"On Wednesday, Jolly <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/10/florida-governor-david-jolly-gwen-graham-2026-democrat/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/10/florida-governor-david-jolly-gwen-graham-2026-democrat/\">announced Gwen Graham</a>, daughter of former Gov. Bob Graham, as his running mate. She is seen as a pick that bolsters his centrist approach. "},{"_id":"KRT64MKKMVBJNJJ2AYSJPN4S2A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The<b> </b>gubernatorial candidates are facing an electorate focused on affordability amid rising gas prices and inflation. Voters are worried about artificial intelligence and rising water bills as <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/04/florida-data-center-citrus-polk-fort-meade-desantis-petition/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/04/florida-data-center-citrus-polk-fort-meade-desantis-petition/\">data centers move into the state</a>."},{"_id":"3BVJ5MKYGFH5DCP5C6QD7RGDAA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In recent weeks, several GOP candidates have attacked Donalds over a roughly $5 million donation pledged by a pro-AI group called Leading the Future."},{"_id":"KNSNI7PRL5EWNJXTRXFM32K26M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“He is AI First,” Renner <a href=\"https://x.com/Paul_Renner/status/2060028773735760126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/Paul_Renner/status/2060028773735760126\">posted on X</a>. “I’m Florida First.”"},{"_id":"HMBII7HCS5FEJG6JGTDK7233NA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Republicans have held the governor’s seat since 1994. But Jolly and other Democratic hopefuls are betting on voters looking for a change."},{"_id":"YCVN3W3H3FEHBBLJ3FN7KQ66AI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Trump’s national approval rating is low, and in March, the Democrats flipped two seats in special elections. "},{"_id":"Q6BJHA2DBBFJPPNKVUN23QLDOY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis, a Republican, hasn’t backed a candidate yet. His endorsement could be key if he weighs in before the Aug. 18 primary."},{"_id":"AKVMNP23BREHBNPYCXY4ZPSL4Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In addition to Jolly, the Democrats who qualified for the primary are: Evelyn Castillo-Bach, Thomas Eloy Fernandez, state Rep. Dotie Joseph, Dayna Marie Foster and Stephann Norman."},{"_id":"4WR7N774EFGBTJ5EYSQTWHHPSA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A total of 11 candidates will proceed to the GOP primary, including Jim Holcomb, Arthur Joseph McCaffrey, Daniel Nokovich, Rachel Rodriguez, James W. Shaw, Caneste Succe and Bobby Williams. "},{"_id":"JNFLDVJYDBDZXAEEJLC5SHJSPU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In addition, six candidates qualified with no party affiliation. Perhaps most notable is Desmond Meade, who in 2018 led<b> </b>the effort to pass Florida Amendment 4, which gave many previously incarcerated felons the right to vote. The other no-party candidates to qualify are: Dean Ocean Abrams,<b> </b>Charles Burkett,<b> </b>Jeffrey Peter “Dr. Jeff” Datto, Moliere “Moe” Dimanche and Frank J. Russo."},{"_id":"VULDIPQ5CFFL7HBMKY2TAU4QFU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Scott Eckhard Jewett qualified as a Libertarian Party of Florida candidate."},{"_id":"46UU3JSGTBBA7GAWCN43RDSJYA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Kathy Anderson, Richard Paul Dembinsky, Mohammad Wajid Khan and Erik Morris qualified as write-in candidates."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"More than two dozen candidates have 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I’m Paige and I cover politics for the Tampa Bay Times. I grew up in a village near Edinburgh, Scotland, but I hopped across the pond to run track at Duke University. In the fall, I’ll be returning to North Carolina for my senior year where I’m studying political science, journalism and history. There, I spend most of my time at the Duke Puppy Kindergarten where I raise future service dogs and enjoy lots of puppy hugs. This summer, you can find me at the beach with a good book or in search of the best chocolate ice cream in St. Petersburg. ","fuzzy_match":false,"author_type":"Times Staff Writer","firstName":"Paige","books":[],"podcasts":[],"awards":[],"_id":"paige-stevens","status":true}},"type":"author","version":"0.5.8","url":"","slug":"paige-stevens"}]},"first_publish_date":"2026-06-12T19:27:23.145Z","additional_properties":{"is_published":true,"publish_date":"2026-06-12T20:26:14.789Z","has_published_copy":true},"last_updated_date":"2026-06-12T21:39:12.446Z","publishing":{"scheduled_operations":{"unpublish_edition":[],"publish_edition":[]}},"slug":"GovQualify","owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"address":{},"workflow":{"status_code":4},"promo_items":{"basic":{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"locality":"Tallahassee","region":"Fl"},"auth":{"1":"9567567182d9a63c37b4b953a7a655f6bd0f31e1ff7ec7653f5fc166ab4326d5"},"caption":"With Gov. Ron DeSantis term-limited, the race is on for the next occupant of the Governor's Mansion. ","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Archive","edit_url":"","source_type":"other","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"68feb5d9-6308-4e9b-888f-67ac7729a8c7"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JWAK2L5OGFCO5EQJ6CZGSDEBAQ.JPG","geo":{},"licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times (2012)","type":"author"}],"by":[]},"subtitle":"","width":5616,"_id":"JWAK2L5OGFCO5EQJ6CZGSDEBAQ","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/JWAK2L5OGFCO5EQJ6CZGSDEBAQ.JPG?auth=9567567182d9a63c37b4b953a7a655f6bd0f31e1ff7ec7653f5fc166ab4326d5","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","iptc_job_identifier":"430131085","keywords":[],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/JWAK2L5OGFCO5EQJ6CZGSDEBAQ.JPG?auth=9567567182d9a63c37b4b953a7a655f6bd0f31e1ff7ec7653f5fc166ab4326d5","takenOn":"2012-12-06T00:00:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JWAK2L5OGFCO5EQJ6CZGSDEBAQ.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/JWAK2L5OGFCO5EQJ6CZGSDEBAQ.JPG?auth=9567567182d9a63c37b4b953a7a655f6bd0f31e1ff7ec7653f5fc166ab4326d5","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/JWAK2L5OGFCO5EQJ6CZGSDEBAQ.JPG?auth=9567567182d9a63c37b4b953a7a655f6bd0f31e1ff7ec7653f5fc166ab4326d5&width=300","version":3,"originalName":"OT_363852_garn_firstlady_1.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff"},"created_date":"2025-11-24T17:30:56Z","last_updated_date":"2025-11-24T18:10:34Z","slug":"OT_363852_garn_firstlady_1","height":3612,"image_type":"photograph"}},"canonical_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/12/desantis-governor-candidates-collins-donalds-renner-jolly-fishback/","revision":{"editions":["default"],"parent_id":"A5DNU2HUNVCVFJGNGD27CIFWKY","published":true,"branch":"default","revision_id":"3GQA5VE2PZBKDFSDR5POJH5LOA"},"planning":{"budget_line":"A slew of candidates qualified Friday for the gubernatorial election. Four Republicans will battle for the GOP nomination, while a lone Democrat will likely float through to the November election.","scheduling":{},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":3177,"inch_count_actual":19,"inch_count_planned":20,"word_count_actual":501,"line_count_actual":131}},"display_date":"2026-06-12T19:27:23.145Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"Field set for Florida 2026 governor race as qualifying closes","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-11T19:20:55.924Z","publish_date":"2026-06-12T21:39:12.269Z","_id":"H4JOWHOKNNGQLBIHQWHWTFOSUE","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/12/desantis-governor-candidates-collins-donalds-renner-jolly-fishback/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"JIZSS7NHSFFKNCZXQBRDYHZS3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"After Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a new congressional map in May, U.S. House candidates across Florida faced a choice."},{"_id":"XMQFUL3PQJDOXD7USB2FN7KE3E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Would they run in the same district, even if the boundaries had in some cases changed significantly? Or would they jump to a district where they have a better shot at winning?"},{"_id":"543FIAF2ANHYPJ5XPRHRSL7M4E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In Tampa Bay, the four House incumbents running for reelection decided to <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/25/redistricting-house-congress-anna-paulina-luna-kathy-castor-democrat-voting-rights-act/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/25/redistricting-house-congress-anna-paulina-luna-kathy-castor-democrat-voting-rights-act/\">run for their same seats</a>, while some challengers jumped races. In South Florida, Democratic incumbents shuffled seats, at times to the chagrin of <a href=\"https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article316081872.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article316081872.html\">state party officials</a>."},{"_id":"NSSJ4SA3BNESVI624IQIRNVBEA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Friday was the last day candidates could qualify for the ballot ahead of primary day in August. "},{"_id":"BA4RLTFCXRGSPAGOTQUUWCKXBY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Here’s who’s officially made it onto the ballot as of 5 p.m. Friday, according to the state Division of Elections <a href=\"https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/canlist.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/canlist.asp\">website</a>."},{"level":2,"_id":"VNW6ZVS3ERAGFGDFOMQUBSPBBI","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"District 12: Gus Bilirakis faces more competitive district"},{"_id":"4ZDFLTZRQBD7VCE2NQNMKOTMCI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"GOP Rep. Gus Bilirakis previously had the most secure red seat in Tampa Bay. He’s still likely to hold onto his redrawn district, which would have gone for President Donald Trump by about 15 points in 2024 and includes part of Pasco County and a swath of western Hillsborough."},{"_id":"272DBGJYJVGB7DJGRZ3GSMFTYM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Bilirakis is on the ballot in District 12."},{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"locality":"CRYSTAL RIVER","region":"FL"},"syndication":{"search":"true","external_distribution":"true"},"auth":{"1":"52b59eb314e13e63bfcb6d6515a7f91fd9b8803f86bb15e02fd8ce2d621c529c"},"caption":"GOP Rep. Gus Bilirakis, center, is running again in Congressional District 12, though it's more competitive for Democrats after redistricting.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VLZRLW6LXJCJJCKCFKXARVJ77U.JPG","licensable":true,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Douglas R. Clifford","type":"author","byline":"Douglas R. Clifford"}]},"subtitle":"","width":6000,"_id":"VLZRLW6LXJCJJCKCFKXARVJ77U","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/VLZRLW6LXJCJJCKCFKXARVJ77U.JPG?auth=52b59eb314e13e63bfcb6d6515a7f91fd9b8803f86bb15e02fd8ce2d621c529c","iptc_source":"Tampa Bay Times","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/VLZRLW6LXJCJJCKCFKXARVJ77U.JPG?auth=52b59eb314e13e63bfcb6d6515a7f91fd9b8803f86bb15e02fd8ce2d621c529c","link":"","takenOn":"2025-02-20T18:36:15Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VLZRLW6LXJCJJCKCFKXARVJ77U.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/VLZRLW6LXJCJJCKCFKXARVJ77U.JPG?auth=52b59eb314e13e63bfcb6d6515a7f91fd9b8803f86bb15e02fd8ce2d621c529c","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/VLZRLW6LXJCJJCKCFKXARVJ77U.JPG?auth=52b59eb314e13e63bfcb6d6515a7f91fd9b8803f86bb15e02fd8ce2d621c529c&width=300","version":1,"usage_instructions":"licensing partner Zuma Press, licensing@zumapress.com or www.ZUMApress.com","originalName":"434137_CLIF_9_LOCALDOGE.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"template_id":465,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2025-02-20T20:51:46Z","last_updated_date":"2025-02-28T15:58:43Z","slug":"434137_CLIF_9_LOCALDOGE","height":4000,"image_type":"photograph"},{"_id":"KYQJGPU23ZBYLLFDQY26STKATM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida air surgeon Darren McAuley, a Democrat<b> </b>who previously challenged GOP Rep. Laurel Lee, announced in early May that he’d instead vie for Bilirakis’ seat. He qualified for the ballot alongside another Democrat, former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman. "},{"_id":"YNY4FWUITJEUHGYFJWKXOYRABU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"They join Branden Scrivener, a case manager at AdventHealth who is running under no party affiliation, in challenging Bilirakis."},{"level":2,"_id":"HW773OGDINFI7OZAZFVPZJ4I2Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"District 13: Who’s challenging Anna Paulina Luna"},{"_id":"GJXOFVQGVVDBZAX36RVMZZQEKQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna qualified to run for reelection in the new District 13, which encompasses much of Pinellas County and a coastal sliver of Pasco. It saw the<b> </b>fewest changes out of Tampa Bay’s congressional districts, though the new configuration is slightly more red."},{"_id":"6LNCGADV6ZHLZBR6OF3TCNNXQI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Three Democrats qualified to challenge Luna: <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/03/anna-paulina-luna-congress-democrats-election-leela-gray-us-house/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/03/anna-paulina-luna-congress-democrats-election-leela-gray-us-house/\">retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leela Gray</a>, who has a significant fundraising lead; Pinellas teacher <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/12/02/pinellas-teacher-joins-democratic-field-seeking-unseat-rep-luna/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/12/02/pinellas-teacher-joins-democratic-field-seeking-unseat-rep-luna/\">Brandt Robinson</a>, who has billed himself as the grassroots progressive option; and Air Force veteran <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/09/18/john-liccione-anna-paulina-luna-congress-district-13-pinellas-democrat/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/09/18/john-liccione-anna-paulina-luna-congress-district-13-pinellas-democrat/\">John Liccione</a>. Another Democratic contender, Earle Ford, joined the state chief financial officer race instead."},{"_id":"45CSWUFYNRG5FH7OSQNK4KYHHI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Tony D’Arrigo, a hospitality business management consultant, is also running under no party affiliation."},{"level":2,"_id":"MF7IZ6YPDBAEJOZWMIZ22ME2HE","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"District 14: Republicans line up to challenge Kathy Castor"},{"_id":"GOTFUQHU5FBE3GI3BRG6ZZSL7Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor faces the fight of her political life in a redrawn District 14 that now leans Republican. It includes South Tampa and a chunk of eastern Hillsborough County, including Plant City and Tampa suburbs like Brandon, Riverview and Ruskin."},{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"address":{},"auth":{"1":"3dc7c1160eb5b1e98083c0d3da680c600e51adec482ae925a2799370c269d032"},"caption":"Longtime Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor is fighting to hold on to her Hillsborough County seat, which was made red-leaning under the new congressional map.","source":{"system":"photo center","edit_url":"","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"type":"image","version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4HCB7RVLPVADLBZYQL5YVZM6IY.png","licensable":false,"display_date":"2026-04-12T07:08:15.747Z","alt_text":"U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor speaks just prior to President Joe Biden during a campaign stop at Hillsborough Community College on April 23 in Tampa. The longtime Democratic incumbent easily held on to her seat Tuesday night. ","credits":{"by":[{"name":"Photo by CHRIS URSO/Tampa Bay Times","type":"author","byline":"Photo by CHRIS URSO/Tampa Bay Times"}]},"subtitle":"67321665c6e7a.Image","width":1130,"_id":"4HCB7RVLPVADLBZYQL5YVZM6IY","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/4HCB7RVLPVADLBZYQL5YVZM6IY.png?auth=3dc7c1160eb5b1e98083c0d3da680c600e51adec482ae925a2799370c269d032","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/4HCB7RVLPVADLBZYQL5YVZM6IY.png?auth=3dc7c1160eb5b1e98083c0d3da680c600e51adec482ae925a2799370c269d032","link":"","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4HCB7RVLPVADLBZYQL5YVZM6IY.png","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/4HCB7RVLPVADLBZYQL5YVZM6IY.png?auth=3dc7c1160eb5b1e98083c0d3da680c600e51adec482ae925a2799370c269d032","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/4HCB7RVLPVADLBZYQL5YVZM6IY.png?auth=3dc7c1160eb5b1e98083c0d3da680c600e51adec482ae925a2799370c269d032&width=300","version":0,"originalName":"67321665c6e7a.image.png","mime_type":"image/png","alt_text":"U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor speaks just prior to President Joe Biden during a campaign stop at Hillsborough Community College on April 23 in Tampa. The longtime Democratic incumbent easily held on to her seat Tuesday night. ","restricted":false,"galleries":[]},"created_date":"2026-04-12T07:08:17Z","last_updated_date":"2026-04-12T07:08:17Z","publish_date":"2026-04-12T07:08:15.747Z","height":844},{"_id":"QQ2B5EUENJEJXH3XTGLWNP3GNI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A long list of Republicans qualified to run against her, including <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/18/castor-democrat-congress-election-republican-challengers-redistricting-money/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/18/castor-democrat-congress-election-republican-challengers-redistricting-money/\">former state Rep. Mike Beltran</a> and <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/15/redistricting-florida-congress-kathy-castor-tampa-kevin-steele-democrat-republican/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/15/redistricting-florida-congress-kathy-castor-tampa-kevin-steele-democrat-republican/\">state Rep. Kevin Steele</a>, who have poured millions into the race already."},{"_id":"W7YFV3YWO5BO5BSER3HQDKELDY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Other Republican contenders include business owner John Peters, Navy veteran Robert “Rocky” Rochford, Tampa <a href=\"https://www.wusf.org/news/2017-11-22/tampa-restaurant-owner-plans-thousands-of-free-thanksgiving-meals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.wusf.org/news/2017-11-22/tampa-restaurant-owner-plans-thousands-of-free-thanksgiving-meals\">restaurant owner</a> Ergin “Batman” Tek, brewery operator Gavriel Soriano, former Wall Street analyst Michael Marcel and Bea Valenti, who was previously a staffer for the White House and Sen. Ashley Moody."},{"_id":"OG4XXP2ZJNBQDGNZPI7IVDLVTQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Libertarian candidate Brian Lambert qualified alongside two write-in candidates, Salomon Hernandez Sr. and Keith Varian."},{"level":2,"_id":"O5WTJJJHFZB4XAEBHQ4AHR3TSA","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"District 15: Laurel Lee appears safe"},{"_id":"KUCZW6LBM5E7TEEXZQORGKAE4A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Republican Rep. Laurel Lee, who represents District 15, now has the safest seat in Tampa Bay. Her district incorporates East Tampa, a heavily blue patch of the city, but it’s centered in ruby-red Pasco, Citrus and Hernando counties."},{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"street_address":"Hillsborough Community College Plant City Campus","locality":"Plant City"},"syndication":{"search":true,"external_distribution":true},"auth":{"1":"25a64127de27bdadc9fa68cfbf4fde7a833e47d6215b2dfef84fc551db3c35ef"},"caption":"Republican Rep. Laurel Lee is expected to win in a newly drawn district that went for Trump by around 20 points.\n","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3CUH2ZIFI5H35FQCYWGN3JGIS4.JPG","licensable":true,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Ivy Ceballo","type":"author","byline":"Ivy Ceballo"}]},"subtitle":"","width":3919,"creditIPTC":"Times","_id":"3CUH2ZIFI5H35FQCYWGN3JGIS4","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/3CUH2ZIFI5H35FQCYWGN3JGIS4.JPG?auth=25a64127de27bdadc9fa68cfbf4fde7a833e47d6215b2dfef84fc551db3c35ef","iptc_source":"Times","keywords":[""],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/3CUH2ZIFI5H35FQCYWGN3JGIS4.JPG?auth=25a64127de27bdadc9fa68cfbf4fde7a833e47d6215b2dfef84fc551db3c35ef","link":"","takenOn":"2024-03-04T16:27:05Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3CUH2ZIFI5H35FQCYWGN3JGIS4.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/3CUH2ZIFI5H35FQCYWGN3JGIS4.JPG?auth=25a64127de27bdadc9fa68cfbf4fde7a833e47d6215b2dfef84fc551db3c35ef","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/3CUH2ZIFI5H35FQCYWGN3JGIS4.JPG?auth=25a64127de27bdadc9fa68cfbf4fde7a833e47d6215b2dfef84fc551db3c35ef&width=300","version":1,"originalName":"432580_CEBA_03_GovPress.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"template_id":465,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2024-03-04T17:59:12Z","last_updated_date":"2024-04-19T14:19:03Z","slug":"432580_CEBA_GovPress","height":2613,"image_type":"photograph"},{"_id":"IBIHIDTPRNHVFFREBMI4PMZA5M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Two Democratic challengers qualified to run against Lee: U.S. Army veteran and retired CIA officer Christopher Irizarry, who jumped from District 12 to District 15 after the new map passed, and Army veteran Robert People."},{"_id":"4J4XH6TLUJHVPME5XOIJDRZB3Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Angie Boone qualified as a write-in candidate."},{"level":2,"_id":"E7WFYBOGKRHRXF2PIZ5ENF3QL4","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"District 16: An open seat for St. Pete and Manatee County"},{"_id":"Z2QVEHFTVVGB3OYV7W7QUEFPAE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The sprawling District 16, which stretches from <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\">St. Petersburg to Florida’s heartland</a>, is considered likely to remain in Republican hands by ratings services like <a href=\"https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/how-we-would-rate-the-new-proposed-florida-gerrymander/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/how-we-would-rate-the-new-proposed-florida-gerrymander/\">Sabato’s Crystal Ball</a> at the University of Virginia."},{"_id":"CTWJROOFFRBGRPJULBEXDQD7AA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Incumbent GOP Rep. Vern Buchanan is retiring. Trump has already gotten behind a potential Republican successor, Sydney Gruters, who was executive director of New College Foundation. Her husband, Joe Gruters, is chairperson of the Republican National Committee."},{"_id":"LIP3YXSIHRCZDOJPQQDYIVAFY4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"She faces primary challengers Eddie Speir, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2023/07/08/ousted-new-college-trustee-challenge-us-rep-vern-buchanan/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2023/07/08/ousted-new-college-trustee-challenge-us-rep-vern-buchanan/\">who ran to Buchanan’s right</a> last cycle, and Navy veteran Ed Pope."},{"_id":"QRV4MBSJOZDITPCVBXCG7D4OX4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Democratic primary is also crowded. Qualifying Democrats include Army veteran Jon Harris, Air Force veteran and nonprofit founder Tamika Lyles, former Sarasota mayor and former Eckerd College administrator Kelly Kirschner, small-business owner Glenn Pearson and Jan Schneider, who ran against Buchanan in 2024 and lost by 19 points."},{"_id":"SXXBVDBLXZD4NIONHIRA5634YM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Mark Davis qualified to run as a no-party-affiliated candidate."},{"_id":"65ARFOJJFNGW7IMK6472JTCICI","type":"raw_html","content":"<style>.subtext-iframe{max-width:540px;}iframe#subtext_embed{width:1px;min-width:100%;min-height:256px;}</style><div class=\"subtext-iframe\"><iframe id=\"subtext_embed\" class=\"subtext-embed-iframe\" src=\"https://joinsubtext.com/c/politi-texts-florida?embed=true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe></div>\n<script>fetch(\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alpha-group/iframe-resizer/master/js/iframeResizer.min.js\").then(function(r){return r.text();}).then(function(t){return new Function(t)();}).then(function(){iFrameResize({heightCalculationMethod:\"lowestElement\"},\"#subtext_embed\");});<\/script>"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"RFJHCLRAQFFZJFZUUBWIVSEN4A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"UQ2QR7LZSNEZZK6M3MGKG3LGHU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\">St. Petersburg and Wauchula are in the same congressional district. We drove it</a>"},{"_id":"65PWUTL52FGU3O43DEV55IHERA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Property tax amendment: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/desantis-has-claims-about-his-tax-amendment-heres-what-it-actually-does/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">DeSantis has claims about his tax amendment. Here’s what it actually does.</a>"},{"_id":"YQDOB27PNBES5EKMKHLCW56KV4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Mail ballots: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\">Mail ballot requests are down across Tampa Bay</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Here’s who qualified for the ballot ahead of the August primaries."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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They can be reached at smuckle@tampabay.com. ","_id":"shauna-muckle","additional_properties":{"original":{"lastName":"Muckle","secondLastName":"","role":"Politics reporter","education":[],"native_app_rendering":false,"affiliations":"","bio":"Shauna Muckle is a reporter covering politics in Florida. They can be reached at smuckle@tampabay.com. ","contributor":false,"custom_tagline":"Contact Shauna Muckle at smuckle@tampabay.com.","beat":"Times staff","bio_page":"","last_updated_date":"2026-01-16T17:12:44.771Z","byline":"Shauna Muckle","email":"smuckle@tampabay.com","slug":"shauna-muckle","image":"https://author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/tbt/fdf795d6-c55f-461f-8130-232690bc7be6.JPG","longBio":"I grew up in Oregon but have long been Florida's biggest fan. I started out covering transportation — a deeply political issue in Tampa Bay, where the roads are wide and public transit sparse. Now I'm covering politics, helping you understand who in this state has power, why and how they use it. 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Soon after, he was shackled in the back of a transport van, on the way to the county jail."},{"_id":"5SCJIEQN6NFENK7CVER6DAKLF4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A sudden stop on the way sent Sanchez-Mayen into a metal partition, knocking him out. He was still unconscious when the officer driving the van arrived at the jail and pulled him out by his legs, causing him to hit<b> </b>his head on the bumper and concrete floor. Sanchez-Mayen sustained injuries to his cervical spine, which paralyzed him and resulted in the amputation of both legs above the knee, according to a lawsuit filed by his family months later."},{"_id":"GQ7JQN3EVZAWHGHOXDW54LPZ2E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On Monday, three years to the day of Sanchez-Mayen’s arrest, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/topics/ron-desantis/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/topics/ron-desantis/\">Gov. Ron DeSantis</a> signed a bill approving a $2.3 million settlement in the case."},{"_id":"5BCRIMBLRVCUZCQVITRAB2E7QM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The family’s attorneys said the signing was welcome news for Sanchez-Mayen and his sister, who has helped care for him. But the case also<b> </b>highlights <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/03/05/florida-lawmakers-consider-raising-payouts-injuries-caused-by-cities-or-counties/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/03/05/florida-lawmakers-consider-raising-payouts-injuries-caused-by-cities-or-counties/\">the lengthy gantlet</a> that people who sue government entities in Florida must navigate to receive settlement money."},{"_id":"BKIQKRITR5ETPIOBSUYQYGBUWA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The process in Florida to get compensation to victims like Heriberto is so old and so arcane and so broken,” said Dan Faherty, one of the family’s attorneys. “Here we are in June of 2026, and this case was settled over a year ago.”"},{"level":2,"_id":"G2BCTJMSMJCHHKGJDOSGWVB6UU","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"‘Reckless’ and ‘callous’"},{"_id":"XAQTAI3BPFH3NM5LLVM2GO36U4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Body camera footage provided by the police department shows Sanchez-Mayen, then 60, sleeping on a cardboard box in the 200 block of 15th Street North on June 8, 2023, before Officer Sarah Gaddis rouses him."},{"_id":"ZQAYXSGFX5HQXGQSCI3ZWLZ4D4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In the video, Gaddis appears to recognize Sanchez-Mayen, as she addresses him by his first name and asks what he’s doing there. He says he fell asleep."},{"_id":"MSP5ZLBORVBIVPLYSU76N6GDGU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“You know, you’re trespassing out here,” Gaddis says to him. Before he responds, Gaddis tells him to gather his belongings and meet her at her police car so she can write him a ticket."},{"_id":"QDOS7UFFIZDC3PWHF4VG2Q5ADA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The two walk to Gaddis’ police car, and she shows Sanchez-Mayen the sign that says “no trespassing,” which he says he didn’t see."},{"_id":"3W5QLLDHCBDQ7I4Y53MKMZDDU4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Sanchez-Mayen then asks if Gaddis is going to give him a ticket."},{"_id":"KKAQJN4NYFC4FPTMXQJP24JRRY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I’ve decided that you’re actually going to go to jail today. I’ve had far too many problems with you,” she says."},{"_id":"EUMCMZD62FH27IUNSFWAM5LMV4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Gaddis is seen on video calling for a police transport van. That’s when Officer Michael Thacker arrives."},{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"address":{},"syndication":{"search":true},"auth":{"1":"9698ff6e56b029cba430597e3f4c1df0878fccf79f467d21723a0ccb0b6a238f"},"caption":"A screenshot from video recorded by the body camera of St. Petersburg police Officer Sarah Gaddis shows Officer Michael Thacker securing Heriberto Sanchez-Mayen in belly chains before taking him to jail on a trespassing charge on June 8, 2023.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Handouts","edit_url":"","source_type":"handout","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"4d6faf50-1a35-4bda-b3c5-1ecf3e31e917"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4CNY242JRNC6TPTAKYZOWHKN3U.jpg","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"St. Petersburg Police Department","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"","width":1250,"creditIPTC":"St. Petersburg Police Department","_id":"4CNY242JRNC6TPTAKYZOWHKN3U","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/4CNY242JRNC6TPTAKYZOWHKN3U.jpg?auth=9698ff6e56b029cba430597e3f4c1df0878fccf79f467d21723a0ccb0b6a238f","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/4CNY242JRNC6TPTAKYZOWHKN3U.jpg?auth=9698ff6e56b029cba430597e3f4c1df0878fccf79f467d21723a0ccb0b6a238f","link":"","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4CNY242JRNC6TPTAKYZOWHKN3U.jpg","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/4CNY242JRNC6TPTAKYZOWHKN3U.jpg?auth=9698ff6e56b029cba430597e3f4c1df0878fccf79f467d21723a0ccb0b6a238f","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/4CNY242JRNC6TPTAKYZOWHKN3U.jpg?auth=9698ff6e56b029cba430597e3f4c1df0878fccf79f467d21723a0ccb0b6a238f&width=300","version":1,"originalName":"SanchezMayenBodyCam2crop.jpg","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"template_id":462,"galleries":[]},"created_date":"2025-04-11T14:40:31Z","last_updated_date":"2025-04-11T15:03:01Z","height":642,"image_type":"photograph"},{"_id":"DGNVAHFFDJCDVL5LWYSECGE7M4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Officers load Sanchez-Mayen into the police transport van, which had no seat belts or safety restraints, and Thacker drives to the jail. A video recording provided by police shows Sanchez-Mayen slide across the bench he was sitting on, then fall and hit his head."},{"_id":"SM5QD2QZQ5G27FGIC2YMA6YJGY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thacker noticed on his video feed from the back of the van that Sanchez-Mayen was face-down on the floor, but he did not pull over, according to the lawsuit. When Thacker arrived at the Pinellas County Jail, he opened the doors and noticed Sanchez-Mayen’s body was limp. Thacker shook him and said “wake up” several times, video shows."},{"_id":"BJXVELLGQFFW5OPNUQZ5LU43QE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When Sanchez-Mayen didn’t wake up, Thacker tried to lift him, then grabbed his feet and dragged him out of the van. Footage shows that Sanchez-Mayen’s head hit the bumper and the ground."},{"_id":"IYLZD3LQDZDUPC4DLRW7IQIJ4U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Shortly afterward, video shows that Sanchez-Mayen was attended to by medical personnel and taken to a hospital by ambulance."},{"subtype":"youtube","referent":{"referent_properties":{},"provider":"https://www.youtube.com/oembed?maxwidth=560&maxheight=340&url=","service":"oembed","id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxEyH6XkbT0","type":"youtube"},"_id":"ROCL5CGQ5VC7LIGO4KY4ORC2JU","raw_oembed":{"author_name":"Tampa Bay Times","provider_url":"https://www.youtube.com/","title":"Arrest by St. Petersburg police left homeless man paralyzed, lawsuit says","type":"youtube","thumbnail_url":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yxEyH6XkbT0/hqdefault.jpg","version":"1.0","thumbnail_height":360,"author_url":"https://www.youtube.com/@TampaBayTimes","width":560,"thumbnail_width":480,"html":"<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/yxEyH6XkbT0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen title=\"Arrest by St. Petersburg police left homeless man paralyzed, lawsuit says\"></iframe>","_id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxEyH6XkbT0","provider_name":"YouTube","height":315},"type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"256OGBSUENDCHIUXBDD6GLDN6U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The lawsuit, which named as defendants the city, Gaddis and Thacker, alleged in part that Gaddis falsely arrested Sanchez-Mayen, who was experiencing homelessness at the time, and that Thacker battered him and used excessive force by intentionally driving the transport van recklessly and dragging him out of the van."},{"_id":"HGYH6VTQLBD5PP67MID4ALMON4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The city denied the claims and asked a federal judge to dismiss the case."},{"_id":"HHAZPZJ2IZBMLG77UM4M3ZGBZI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In March 2025, U.S. District Judge William Jung dismissed Gaddis as a defendant, finding that she acted appropriately and had probable cause to arrest Sanchez-Mayen on a trespassing charge. Jung dismissed all but two counts against Thacker, ruling that Sanchez-Mayen could pursue the claims of battery and excessive force."},{"_id":"SSQH6LFVFJA5DBCWNWBPLHJHXA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jung wrote in a ruling that the most “disturbing” aspect of Thacker’s conduct was the way he removed Sanchez-Mayen from the van, which the judge called “reckless, callous, and something every Boy Scout with a First Aid merit badge would know is entirely improper.”"},{"_id":"WV275WAOJRER3NFBOSCFQYQTQ4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jung dismissed the case later that month after the parties reached an agreement through mediation. "},{"_id":"ALDCENCMOVDXVJI3MNDZ426E54","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The following month, the St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved a<b> </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/04/11/st-petersburg-approves-settlement-lawsuit-filed-by-man-injured-after-arrest/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/04/11/st-petersburg-approves-settlement-lawsuit-filed-by-man-injured-after-arrest/\">$2.5 million settlement</a><b> </b>in the case.<b> </b>The city agreed to pay Sanchez-Mayen $200,000 within seven days, and the rest would be paid after a claims bill was approved by the state Legislature and signed by DeSantis."},{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"copyright":"Tampa Bay Times","address":{"street_address":"Sam Gibbons United States Courth","locality":"Tampa"},"syndication":{"search":"true","external_distribution":"true"},"auth":{"1":"10099db00846f8d8094c52588a725553028693615dad9061442de5ec2a79a896"},"caption":"Attorneys Thomas Scolaro, left, and Dan Faherty listen as Elsa Hernandez addresses the media outside the Sam Gibbons U.S. Courthouse in Tampa on March 18, 2024. They announced a lawsuit after Hernandez's brother, Heriberto Sanchez-Mayen, was paralyzed after he was arrested by St. Petersburg police on a trespassing charge.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Tampa Bay Times","edit_url":"","source_type":"staff","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"d332c6a3-8c2f-4fce-9507-0fdc0e6cdd96"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/U2XF7L3LXFCTRN3XOEEIASQJVE.JPG","geo":{},"licensable":true,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times (2024)","type":"author"}],"by":[]},"subtitle":"","width":5472,"_id":"U2XF7L3LXFCTRN3XOEEIASQJVE","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/U2XF7L3LXFCTRN3XOEEIASQJVE.JPG?auth=10099db00846f8d8094c52588a725553028693615dad9061442de5ec2a79a896","iptc_source":"Times","keywords":[""],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/U2XF7L3LXFCTRN3XOEEIASQJVE.JPG?auth=10099db00846f8d8094c52588a725553028693615dad9061442de5ec2a79a896","link":"","takenOn":"2024-03-18T14:50:38Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/U2XF7L3LXFCTRN3XOEEIASQJVE.JPG","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/U2XF7L3LXFCTRN3XOEEIASQJVE.JPG?auth=10099db00846f8d8094c52588a725553028693615dad9061442de5ec2a79a896","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/U2XF7L3LXFCTRN3XOEEIASQJVE.JPG?auth=10099db00846f8d8094c52588a725553028693615dad9061442de5ec2a79a896&width=300","version":2,"originalName":"432637_CEBA_08_stpetepolice.JPG","mime_type":"image/jpeg","alt_text":"","restricted":false,"template_id":465,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"Staff Photographer"},"created_date":"2024-03-18T16:30:24Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-12T15:57:14Z","slug":"432637_CEBA_stpetepolice","height":3648,"image_type":"photograph"},{"_id":"WSIHFEOWZBG4VITWR5U3HLHSRU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Faherty and Sanchez-Mayen’s other attorney, Tom Scolaro, said the amount was disappointing given the nature of his injuries, but they decided to settle because it could have taken several more years before the case reached a jury — time that their client might not have. By then, he had already outlived the average life expectancy for a person of his age who’d undergone a double amputation above the knee, and the City Council vote was only the beginning of the next phase of the process to get the full settlement amount."},{"_id":"UEVGNQCC4FCVBMTUIKO3VK5WFU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Under state law, no one can get more than $200,000 from a judgment or settlement against the government in cases of negligence without the Legislature passing a bill to pay out the rest. (The payment cap when more than one person is owed damages is $300,000.)"},{"_id":"XVN2JV42RNBOJNCZIWGEZWYM6I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"State agencies, cities, counties, sheriffs’ offices, state universities, public hospitals and schools are immune from payment in negligence lawsuits above that amount without legislative intervention."},{"_id":"VKOAVBIOOJEFJFL4K6E5QACX6A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When a legislator files a claim bill on behalf of an injured person, staff attorneys for the House and Senate hold a hearing based on evidence from the trial or settlement and beyond. At the end, they recommend a payout, which is often similar to the settlement or judgment figure. Lawmakers use it as a starting point."},{"_id":"BXQO36DIOVELPGNGL2O4NZAFU4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Tampa Bay<b> </b>Times reported in March that as the Legislature’s session was about to end, lawmakers had taken up the call eight times to pay out injured Floridians and tourists — who together are owed a collective $47.2 million — for injuries caused by local governments. The Legislature had passed just two of those bills, including Sanchez-Mayen’s."},{"_id":"XRXB5X45PNBXLBHL6TRUMTFJW4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Lawmakers over the years have filed bills to reform the process. One proposal has been to increase the caps on the amount that local government entities can pay out without legislative approval. Another is to change the current law that states the only way a city, for instance, can settle above the $200,000 threshold is if it has purchased insurance coverage. Doing away with the requirement would allow the city to settle the claim above the limit without intervention by the Legislature. That idea has faced pushback from counties, cities, school districts and sheriffs. "},{"_id":"22N4ZYQ4ARGOTMYO7DQ5QLHF5Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"None of the proposals have become law, but a measure passed this year is expected to be sent to DeSantis soon. Filed by Rep. Fiona McFarland, a Sarasota Republican, <a href=\"https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=82670\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=82670\">HB 145</a> increases the payment cap per injured person to $350,000 and the cap per incident to $500,000. "},{"level":2,"_id":"QDN4IAWTZZF2ZM2Y2NMRUK3Y5Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"‘It shouldn’t happen’"},{"_id":"2ZT3RRKG5JCODFAI4WNS6SZA2Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"After the City Council vote, Sanchez-Mayen’s attorneys and a lobbyist got to work to get a relief bill passed. "},{"_id":"NXPUEAF62BGUTIVMG7JOE6LHVI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Rep. Kimberly Berfield, a Clearwater Republican, and Sen. Darryl Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat, were the main sponsors for Sanchez-Mayen’s bill. Berfield did not return messages seeking comment for this story. A representative for Rouson said he was not available for comment. DeSantis’s office did not respond to a message seeking comment."},{"_id":"PCDIUIGQXJGYNJWLOICZCO43BM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In an online summary explaining the bill, Berfield wrote that the measure authorizes the city of St. Petersburg to compensate Sanchez-Mayen “for ongoing care he will require and demonstrate their commitment to accountability and compassion.”"},{"_id":"RYEY72SOHNEVLLGFUUCRN6XCYU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The bill passed both chambers unanimously, “something our lobbyist said was so rare that she could hardly believe it,” Faherty said."},{"_id":"VV4KMD7VJ5AS5ECUP5SBEEWN3E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Sanchez-Mayen is now in a rehab center in Pennsylvania, where his sister lives. His attorneys said the settlement money would be placed into a trust to supplement gaps in his Medicaid coverage."},{"_id":"2ZCHOFFHNFE55PBRXTQWXYDTAI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“On behalf of our client, we want to thank the city of St. Petersburg, the Florida Legislature, and specifically Gov. DeSantis for showing compassion in the wake of a very terrible, tragic event, and doing the right thing,” Scolaro said."},{"_id":"VN47UA4URZBI3IYQKVH24EWC2U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"St. Petersburg police spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez said the city had no comment for this story. After the City Council vote last year, Fernandez said the department was “thankful everyone involved could come to a mutually agreeable settlement in this unfortunate accident.”"},{"_id":"B5G3JV6QBBF4NMBUTJ6TIS53T4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Faherty and Scolaro had hoped the case would prompt the St. Petersburg Police Department to consider requiring that detainees be restrained in seat belts, as they are when transported in patrol vehicles. Fernandez previously told the Times that there was no plan to change department policy, which requires detainees be handcuffed in front of their bodies with a “belly chain” while in the back of a van. "},{"_id":"FDTM7NXC2FCB3FXQKCJEHXICGM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Neither officer was disciplined after the incident. In February 2024, a<b> </b>judge dismissed the trespassing charge after finding the “no trespassing” signs on the city-owned lot were not properly posted."},{"_id":"JS2CPU4J5JHD3DQEBFQYFIIXIU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Joseph Patner, a city attorney, noted in a previous interview that a deposition Thacker gave in the case revealed he’d transported more than 5,300 people, and only one other person besides Sanchez-Mayen had been injured in an incident. "},{"_id":"XJUUPJLJKJHVVJSXAGMM5HEKBQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The numbers, Patner said, “speak for themselves.”"},{"_id":"U5VH6JOBBRF6DCTFL4RML5UVSM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The numbers do speak for themselves,” Faherty said. “If you look at the millions and millions of dollars in medical care that had to be expended on one single resident of St. Petersburg, those are the numbers that mean anything to me, especially with the severity of the outcome. 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Three of them have vied for office previously."},{"_id":"YIRNF3YYLVASHMGEOY5HZOSTVU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Christopher King, a retired U.S. Marine who founded a Dade City nonprofit on etiquette, human rights and human trafficking awareness, unsuccessfully sought election to the Dade City Council in 2020."},{"_id":"BRLGZ5LBQZD6HAL4THZVGQ65JY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Brian Perras, a substitute teacher and youth athletics referee, ran as a Republican trying to oust GOP U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in 2022."},{"_id":"KOPUM3NHDNHRJMJA5JCKDORG7A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Kimberly Coward, an attorney and former Pasco County school counselor, lost her bid for the Broward County School Board in 2022. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Office, she recently returned to Pasco."},{"_id":"JKL6AVWWYRFIBFRSQFQJ5BUFNE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The person considered the early front-runner for the position, however, has never previously run for public office. Gino Collura, a business consultant, has been appointed to two posts by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He’s grabbed endorsements from several high-profile officials, including Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson."},{"_id":"QU6MEQIN65EXDM4BZR4J2HSNZA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When Collura announced his plans, two other hopefuls who had filed papers signaling their intent to run withdrew their bids. "},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"XTT67SPYYBBMLPYR6MI4CCF57U","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781213349878-c73vmnrle","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Pasco’s superintendent is endorsing school board candidates. Why now?"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/06/04/pascos-superintendent-is-endorsing-school-board-candidates-why-now/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"level":2,"_id":"FYMJENUDAJHO3O5WT57ANAKEDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"District 3"},{"_id":"O2ZPFIGYWBCO7DQ3XHNYP4Q6NY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Five candidates jumped into the race to replace District 3 incumbent Cynthia Armstrong, who has served since 2010<b> </b>and chose not to run again."},{"_id":"ANQCLB25WVCP5MNYJAN3S76FTI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Matt Geiger, who has worked as a school director for a residential academy affiliated with the Benfica soccer club, lost his bid to unseat Armstrong four years ago."},{"_id":"KW6F73LB5ZGCVKHNJCY25RSFOA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Sean O’Flannery is a military veteran and educator who has worked in Pasco, Pinellas and currently the Hillsborough school district. He also taught at Florida Virtual School. In the early 2000’s, he twice ran for the Pinellas County School Board."},{"_id":"EYCSP7XVUZGG5CSIWQHLRQ6OHE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Kirk Phillips, a retired human relations and technology expert for the U.S. Air Force and private industry, ran unsuccessfully for a state House seat in 2024."},{"_id":"BLINUAFMBRCUBF4VEYJHHS2A5A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Erin Stroupe, a parent activist, is making her first run for office. She has been involved in several district issues, including a push to stop the board from giving a charter school operator land for a future high school expected to serve her community."},{"_id":"LVQ5YKM7MBBBRMFS47MME6SXPM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"And Mollyana Ward, a real estate agent, is also a newcomer to election politics, though she has cited connections to several current and former officials. "},{"level":2,"_id":"OR7OPRWW7JFKJIXRSDIDJGLOJQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"District 5"},{"_id":"HBJWDSBBKFC2VFB5Q4GEL6VZ3A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The District 5 seat has the smallest number of candidates."},{"_id":"ET5IPYUISBDDLA24Y2HHBQ6T6I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Incumbent Megan Harding has filed to seek what would be her third and final term. A former district elementary teacher, Harding said she wants to continue the board’s work that has led to improved student performance and district accountability."},{"_id":"E7MUHZJ6CFENXK6ZWONFDFVHME","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“While I am proud of all we have accomplished together, I know there is still important work to be done,” Harding said."},{"_id":"FFELFETLC5CIXCGJQI23ZEE6IE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Challenging her is Michelle Mandarin, an activist in the Republican Party’s “patriot wing” who unsuccessfully sought election to the district’s superintendent post two years ago. "},{"_id":"7QADJPM2UJHFTFFLFXWPDU4QE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Although all seats are drawn geographically, each is elected by voters from the entire county. And because the position is nonpartisan, any voter can participate regardless of party affiliation."},{"_id":"GHCMQ56ATJH6BBYG5V7JTGRGYA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>The Tampa Bay Times Education Hub reports on Florida’s schools and universities and the students they serve. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by </i><a href=\"https://secure.tampabay.com/forms/journalismfund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://secure.tampabay.com/forms/journalismfund\"><i>clicking here</i></a><i>.</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"The lone incumbent seeking reelection drew one opponent."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/education","parent_id":"/news","name":"The Education Gradebook","description":"Education and school news, including testing, class size, Florida Standards and Common Core, teaching and more for Florida and Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/education","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/education"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/education/","rotator_id":"PQRJDGVMLJHKNFNXN6QRRL3QS4","section_bullet_override":"Education","site_keywords":"Education News. 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Unlike two years ago, there is no concerted effort to stack the board with a <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2024/07/11/3-pinellas-candidates-want-flip-school-board-what-would-that-mean/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2024/07/11/3-pinellas-candidates-want-flip-school-board-what-would-that-mean/\">slate of conservative politicians</a>."},{"_id":"7H3C7DT4IRBVLFGGGL74OZVSTE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Two of the districts are at-large seats for all registered county residents to decide."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"TPAYUKNRGRBDDKPSLJ3CN25ECY","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781210575111-hxvvncv82","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Here’s who’s running for Pinellas County school board seats"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/03/30/heres-whos-running-pinellas-county-school-board-seats/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"I5L7ESM5U5HPJBMBCHEEA5XRHU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In District 2, incumbent Lisa Cane, who first won in 2018, got a last-minute opponent in Nancy Velardi, a retired high school English teacher and former teachers union president."},{"_id":"KUGFYHXGRVG7ZF6HEOJNAYSBOA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Velardi, who led the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association during the COVID-19 pandemic and after, said she did not want to give Cane a free pass to reelection. She noted that four years ago, Cane signed a pledge to support Gov. Ron DeSantis’ education agenda, which Velardi does not back."},{"_id":"4M6MRSNQQJHW3FL2BPR27OARJ4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Cane said she will run on her record."},{"_id":"OB77DFJLUZBIVJ2O2VVC3MNSAM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I’ve earned the trust of voters because they know I listen before I act, deliver on what matters, and never stop putting students and their families first,” Cane said."},{"_id":"3TS74DT6VFBWHLUJDCYLDNVLYA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In District 3, the other at-large seat, incumbent Dawn Peters is seeking a second term against two other candidates. Peters, who first won her post backing the Republicans’ “parental rights” agenda, said she views the district as running successfully, and she wants to continue that progress."},{"_id":"QGERWLJYB5GIXFOFWWSDWNT4R4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"One of her opponents is veteran district teacher Dawn Douglas, who has run unsuccessfully four times for state House as a Democrat. She said she wants to ensure the board has someone with current classroom experience."},{"_id":"5WGPOO7QRFEBRG56JVBFZXFGIQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The other is independent consultant Curtis Campogni, who is on a ballot for the first time. He said he is driven by a desire to serve the community and seek solutions to issues such as enrollment declines so the district will remain strong for his young children."},{"_id":"JJOFNFJGT5F3HEZV2EO4BGOF5Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"If no one wins a majority, the two top vote-getters will head to the November general election."},{"_id":"EJLNM7VNDRBR7AN7KQ2AIGDCCA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The final race is to replace Stephanie Meyer in the District 6 seat representing south-central Pinellas, including Seminole, Pinellas Park and the beaches. Meyer is <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/01/05/meyer-wont-seek-reelection-pinellas-school-board-backs-bostock/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/01/05/meyer-wont-seek-reelection-pinellas-school-board-backs-bostock/\">retiring after one term</a>."},{"_id":"P2XQQL743FCVPAZO43AVJQU7VU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The campaign pits Nancy Bostock, a former board member and county commissioner, against Amanda Lord, a PTA leader at North Shore Elementary School."},{"_id":"BZQ2PZHZDJCLNJSPOMLO4I7GNU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Bostock last held office in 2012, losing her commission seat after supporting the removal of fluoride from the water supply. As a board member, she was known for advancing conservative social issues. She runs her family’s chemical manufacturing laboratory."},{"_id":"25AEZ2SQ2NG25HO22KU62WFQXA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Lord, who has two children in district schools, is a senior project manager for Franklin Templeton Investments. She said she views the district as being on solid academic footing and wants to promote continued success while also being financially efficient."},{"_id":"4RRMYYYYWVCQ5O6YMNVDLOQH5I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"All the school board seats are nonpartisan, so any voters may participate regardless of party affiliation."},{"_id":"GHCMQ56ATJH6BBYG5V7JTGRGYA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>The Tampa Bay Times Education Hub reports on Florida’s schools and universities and the students they serve. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by </i><a href=\"https://secure.tampabay.com/forms/journalismfund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://secure.tampabay.com/forms/journalismfund\"><i>clicking here</i></a><i>.</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Incumbent Caprice Edmond won another term unopposed."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/education","parent_id":"/news","name":"The Education Gradebook","description":"Education and school news, including testing, class size, Florida Standards and Common Core, teaching and more for Florida and Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/education","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/education"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/education/","rotator_id":"PQRJDGVMLJHKNFNXN6QRRL3QS4","section_bullet_override":"Education","site_keywords":"Education News. 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Light plus water equals color."},{"_id":"PFEVP2HH2BGTPBY3DKIPXVX2XQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But let’s go deeper on the mysterious rainbow, a phenomenon that has long dazzled the world’s greatest minds. From Norse mythmakers to Aristotle, from Descartes to Newton, thinkers have wrestled with the science and spirituality of rainbows, the nature of infinity and intangibility. Cultures around the world still regard rainbows with divine awe, sometimes with reverence, sometimes with fear."},{"_id":"UJNZ5ULVLNFGTGOONIMXBPLS6M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"People <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/10/st-petersburg-pride-family-faith-desantis/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/10/st-petersburg-pride-family-faith-desantis/\">arguing over rainbows</a>? That’s hardly new. While scientists sought to unpack reflection and refraction, poets balked. John Keats thought to explain a rainbow was to kill it, to reduce the mysticism of nature to a dull, common thing. Edgar Allen Poe used rainbows as a symbol of impending ruin. Rainbows have always inspired some level of existential worry."},{"_id":"QYVQDPVJZZDPJE3H6I3BFKYOEA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But as humans spat and spar, as they <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/22/desantis-dei-diversity-net-zero-emission-greenhouse-gases/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/22/desantis-dei-diversity-net-zero-emission-greenhouse-gases/\">ban and bar</a>, rainbows soar."},{"_id":"YB32VFG3M5H4FJEPKTYDHAF4XY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Light moves faster than we can see it. Water droplets slow that light, bending it, breaking it, dispersing it into an illusion our brains perceive as a vibrant tableau. Some scientists have assigned the rainbow a finite order of colors. Others believe there is no limit to what a rainbow can be."},{"_id":"5VHY6RSWJ5C2VL4NMSI5NUL76M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"To encounter one feels like a miracle because there’s so much working against it. The sun has to be behind you. It has to be shining at a 42-degree angle from the antisolar point, or the shadow of your own head. To see a rainbow, you have to be in precisely the right location at precisely the right time."},{"_id":"M6664YK46FEZNCASJLG6DGNWHM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But to really see it, you must be open to possibilities beyond yourself, beyond your phone, beyond your steering wheel, beyond the limits of your own experience. You’ll realize that no two rainbows are alike, that no rainbow looks the same to everyone. You’ll come to believe that is a good thing. 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No one can stop a rainbow, smother a rainbow, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2025/09/02/crosswalks-murals-florida-st-pete-pulse-black-history/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2025/09/02/crosswalks-murals-florida-st-pete-pulse-black-history/\">erase a rainbow</a> with paint or tar or laws. No greedy person can climb the length of a rainbow to reach a pot of gold. No one can find the end of a rainbow at all, actually, because a rainbow is a circle, a loop, a ream of colors that goes on and on. A rainbow has no end."},{"_id":"NHUGVHNASZA2LHBIQM47Y2PGAE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Happy Pride."},{"level":2,"_id":"MNTUJ7OPO5FJJGILV3MP3F5AEI","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Get Stephanie’s newsletter"},{"_id":"EQQBEHYHDJG4VJIIWNFRQDOZ6M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"For weekly bonus content and a look inside columns by Stephanie Hayes, sign up for the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/newsletters/stephinitely/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">free Stephinitely newsletter</a>."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Why they will never go away."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/viewpoints","parent_id":"/","name":"Viewpoints","description":"The Viewpoints channel features Tampa Bay Times newspaper editorials, letters to the editor and 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Here’s what it actually does."},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/desantis-has-claims-about-his-tax-amendment-heres-what-it-actually-does/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"Y7FCY2VMJVA4XBFXRGT5VV7PSI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"They claim the ballot measure, which seeks to increase the existing $50,000 tax exemption for homestead properties to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028, would deceive voters."},{"_id":"NDWJSYCXWVAFDAHKB5FY7NWCLI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The ballot summary does not merely describe the Proposed Constitutional Amendment — it endorses it,” the lawsuit states. “The ballot summary … sets forth three political taglines — ‘ensuring funding for core services,’ ‘protecting small businesses,’ and ‘ensuring fairness for Florida residents’ — giving reasons why voters should vote for the proposal. But the purpose of a ballot summary is to explain what an amendment does, not to advocate for its adoption.”"},{"_id":"EXC5AAP4CFFH7MVOEK4GGEBVXQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But even if the court finds the ballot summary is misleading, that wouldn’t erase the measure from the ballot."},{"_id":"SKIOTRHB65CWBBRIRRAIMBRISA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Under state law, Attorney General James Uthmeier would be required to amend the ballot summary if it is found to be defective."},{"_id":"UF3J5ZRO2BF5PHPWIO4BUKAVWM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Lawmakers passed the measure after it was <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/27/desantis-property-tax-exemption-homestead-special-session/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/27/desantis-property-tax-exemption-homestead-special-session/\">drafted by DeSantis’ office</a>. GOP leaders amended it to exempt taxes levied to fund schools, but city and county officials across the state have warned if voters approve it, their budgets — and the services they provide to residents — will suffer."},{"_id":"EHVUNJZL6JE5BBHLDFQXNM6PNY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis and supporters of the measure, though, have largely waved those critiques away, claiming local governments have overtaxed homeowners as property values have risen in recent years and now they need to rein in spending."},{"_id":"5ZBEOVUILNFSHFQBTRFUWNYEWI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"According to a House staff analysis, the measure could cost local governments $8.4 billion per year, if it gets the necessary 60% support from voters to pass into law."},{"_id":"QC7JLGWXWRAU5ESFUULON76QZA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A spokeswoman for DeSantis didn’t immediately respond to an email Thursday."},{"_id":"TYJKTWZNRNGLJMS3RA4REENQTQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The lawsuit claims several pieces of the ballot summary are misleading."},{"_id":"ZU2UYVN2GJCIVIHRPZQH3NWJB4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The phrase “ensuring funding for core services” is a misnomer, the lawsuit claims, because it drastically cuts property tax revenues. The proposed amendment would require cities and counties to spend property tax revenues on a list of “core services,” including public safety, but it also lowers the amount of money available for those services."},{"_id":"5PFAOVZZ7JH6VFO6QUM2LVG27Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The lawsuit also takes issue with the phrase “protecting small businesses,” as there’s no provision that marks such businesses out for special treatment. There is a provision lowering the current 10% cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties to 5%, but that applies to more than just small businesses."},{"_id":"54AG2NFCERAKRCL3EHMOGQN2TQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The Proposed Constitutional Amendment broadly limits future assessment increases on all categories of non-homesteaded property, and provides no protection to small businesses, or other non-homesteaded property, from the expected higher taxes resulting from increases in millages rates necessary to offset (at least partially) the loss of tax base caused by the amendment,” the lawsuit states."},{"_id":"PN4NLGKLTVGW3BL7G6RUHRQCJU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Another misleading piece, according to the lawsuit, is its expressed intent to eventually eliminate all non-school homestead property taxes, something DeSantis has said is his goal. But although the measure directs the Legislature to set up a structure to allow local governments to phase out homestead property taxes, that’s short of a mandatory full elimination."},{"_id":"HQK2QFMNQZBNLHMN22KLDJYF7A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The actual proposed constitutional language does not require the ‘full elimination,’” the lawsuit states. “Rather, it requires the Legislature to establish procedures through which local governments may choose to grant additional exemptions in the future ‘up to’ the full assessed valuation.”"},{"_id":"6XSACP6MVZDJJGGMGQI3OE7IRU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>By Gray Rohrer, News Service of Florida</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"It argues the ballot summary is 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He has made himself a national brand in part by hammering on social issues, including cracking down on what he dubs as “woke” practices.","_id":"JA7XY7CMJNGUDNZMWQ63WSRQ34","text":"Ron DeSantis","slug":"ron-desantis"}]},"related_content":{"basic":[]},"type":"story","geo":{},"credits":{"by":[{"image":{"version":"0.5.8","url":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/4e3fef9f-fcee-4f0c-9da5-dbc526e02139.jpg"},"name":"News Service of Florida","description":"The News Service of Florida covers all aspects of state government, including the governor and Legislature.","_id":"news-service-of-florida","additional_properties":{"original":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/4e3fef9f-fcee-4f0c-9da5-dbc526e02139.jpg","books":[],"education":[],"podcasts":[{"name":"","download_url":"","url":""}],"awards":[],"bio":"The News Service of Florida covers all aspects of state government, including the governor and Legislature.","_id":"news-service-of-florida","byline":"News Service of Florida"}},"type":"author","version":"0.5.8"}]},"first_publish_date":"2026-06-11T20:28:54.687Z","additional_properties":{"is_published":true,"has_published_copy":true},"last_updated_date":"2026-06-11T20:28:54.796Z","publishing":{"scheduled_operations":{"unpublish_edition":[],"publish_edition":[]}},"slug":"taxlawsuit","owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"tbt"},"address":{},"workflow":{"status_code":1},"promo_items":{"basic":{"owner":{"id":"tbt"},"address":{},"auth":{"1":"a0eac3d8356afed742e1b38113a4db460639c8f166a99fe4841dc0074db5f997"},"caption":"Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed the Legislature to pass a proposed amendment to reduce homestead property taxes. Now the amendment has drawn its first legal challenge.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Wire feeds","edit_url":"","source_type":"wires","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"reference","reference_id":"7080638c-b1c0-47c8-89fa-25c6a828833b"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KHFSQWVOYFGDZLVFLIHH5CGHOY.jpg","licensable":false,"display_date":"2026-06-06T11:05:51.937Z","alt_text":"Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks about his proposal for Florida to become the first state to abolish property taxes during a news conference at the Florida REALTORS headquarters in Orlando on Monday, March 31, 2025.","credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"TNS","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel","type":"author"}]},"subtitle":"Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks about his proposal for Florida to become the first state to abolish property taxes during a news conference at the Florida REALTORS headquarters in Orlando on Monday, March 31, 2025.","width":2000,"_id":"KHFSQWVOYFGDZLVFLIHH5CGHOY","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/KHFSQWVOYFGDZLVFLIHH5CGHOY.jpg?auth=a0eac3d8356afed742e1b38113a4db460639c8f166a99fe4841dc0074db5f997","iptc_source":"Orlando Sentinel","iptc_job_identifier":"176057968P","proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/KHFSQWVOYFGDZLVFLIHH5CGHOY.jpg?auth=a0eac3d8356afed742e1b38113a4db460639c8f166a99fe4841dc0074db5f997","takenOn":"2026-06-06T11:04:00Z","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KHFSQWVOYFGDZLVFLIHH5CGHOY.jpg","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/KHFSQWVOYFGDZLVFLIHH5CGHOY.jpg?auth=a0eac3d8356afed742e1b38113a4db460639c8f166a99fe4841dc0074db5f997","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/KHFSQWVOYFGDZLVFLIHH5CGHOY.jpg?auth=a0eac3d8356afed742e1b38113a4db460639c8f166a99fe4841dc0074db5f997&width=300","version":0,"originalName":"Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks about his proposal for Florida to become the first state to abolish property taxes during a news conference at the Florida REALTORS headquarters in Orlando on Monday, March 31, 2025.","mime_type":"application/octet-stream","restricted":false,"galleries":[],"iptc_title":"MBR"},"created_date":"2026-06-06T11:05:53Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-06T11:05:53Z","publish_date":"2026-06-06T11:05:51.937Z","slug":"US-NEWS-SCARE-TACTICS-AND-SURVIVAL-MODE-1-OS.jpg","height":1333}},"canonical_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/11/desantis-property-tax-amendment-homestead-lawsuit-ballot/","revision":{"editions":["default"],"parent_id":"LLULUVXSUJHX5HMZEQ3AOQXMVE","published":true,"branch":"default","revision_id":"K65B2GGHL5H7DAT6SK4OZSRLJM"},"planning":{"budget_line":"taxlawsuit: Two former local elected officials and a nonprofit group filed suit Thursday in Leon County Circuit Court against the property tax cut amendment placed on the November ballot by lawmakers, alleging it is misleading. NSF","scheduling":{},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":3878,"inch_count_actual":23,"inch_count_planned":25,"word_count_actual":605,"line_count_actual":157}},"display_date":"2026-06-11T20:28:54.687Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"Lawsuit challenges Florida property tax amendment","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-11T19:41:24.044Z","publish_date":"2026-06-11T20:28:54.687Z","_id":"XY5BJGIG5FAL7EFMRCCWOLPOZI","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/11/desantis-property-tax-amendment-homestead-lawsuit-ballot/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"JIZSS7NHSFFKNCZXQBRDYHZS3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to slash property taxes on Floridians’ primary homes has attracted an unlikely coalition of opponents: anti-tax advocates."},{"_id":"EBII6WYOCZE63EJZNVE73WR5BI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"After DeSantis revealed his proposed amendment two weeks ago, the right-leaning Florida TaxWatch said it was flawed and “unnecessary.” Former GOP Sen. Jeff Brandes, a longtime anti-tax libertarian, rails about it <a href=\"https://x.com/JeffreyBrandes?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/JeffreyBrandes?lang=en\">online</a> almost daily. And<b> </b>on Thursday, the <a href=\"https://www.wsj.com/opinion/ron-desantis-property-tax-ballot-measure-florida-9accc6ef?mod=e2two\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.wsj.com/opinion/ron-desantis-property-tax-ballot-measure-florida-9accc6ef?mod=e2two\">Wall Street Journal’s conservative editorial board</a> called DeSantis a “disappointment” on taxes and questioned his motives<b> </b>on the amendment. "},{"_id":"VSQFAW5GXNFGVKE4VRPJZI5LDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It’s a shame that Gov. Ron DeSantis is using his final months in office to push a poorly designed measure on the November ballot that would put his state on the slippery slope of a progressive property tax regime,” it<b> </b>wrote."},{"_id":"H2KL3AQVYFEEDOIXKS6WZDLTMY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis anticipated a chorus of opposition from Democrats and local officials, who have warned the dramatic shortfall in revenue will cut services. But he and his staffers have publicly bristled at the criticism from the right. A spokesperson <a href=\"https://x.com/AlexLanfran/status/2065050917020328082\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/AlexLanfran/status/2065050917020328082\">called the paper’s editorial</a> “incredibly lazy” and “embarrassing” on X. "},{"_id":"SJHY4WJ4O5CLVGHZPISLN6JKNM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When former Republican Rep. Bob Rommel accused TaxWatch of ignoring the increase in local government spending in the last seven years, DeSantis <a href=\"https://x.com/RonDeSantis/status/2062161673381695560\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/RonDeSantis/status/2062161673381695560\">chimed in</a> on X in support<b> </b>of Rommel’s comments: “Good one, Bob!”"},{"subtype":"twitter","referent":{"referent_properties":{},"provider":"https://publish.x.com/oembed?url=","service":"oembed","id":"https://x.com/RonDeSantis/status/2062161673381695560","type":"twitter"},"_id":"I74HL252IBAAFONYICPV4FS4B4","raw_oembed":{"author_name":"Ron DeSantis","author_url":"https://x.com/RonDeSantis","cache_age":"3153600000","width":550,"html":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Good one, Bob! <a href=\"https://t.co/bppAv62YQO\">https://t.co/bppAv62YQO</a></p>&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) <a href=\"https://x.com/RonDeSantis/status/2062161673381695560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 3, 2026</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n","provider_url":"https://x.com","_id":"https://x.com/RonDeSantis/status/2062161673381695560","type":"twitter","provider_name":"X","version":"1.0","url":"https://x.com/RonDeSantis/status/2062161673381695560","height":null},"type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"ZSIBU5CN6ZEDLKQS4BNJE3PP2I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The amendment would triple the state’s homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028, with future increases matching the annual inflation rate. It also lowers the cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead property, such as stores or rental homes, from the current 10% to 5%."},{"_id":"VXYMNNEMGNBZHKFYROW7UFMOLU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"If approved by 60% of voters, millions of Floridians could save thousands on their property tax bills each year.<b> </b>But some conservatives and anti-tax groups are opposed primarily because it does nothing to stop local governments from increasing other taxes and fees."},{"_id":"VXBBUR5JHZHTXA5YBNSGNOG5OI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Homeowners might pay less in tax, but renters, snow birds and businesses would end up paying more,” the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board wrote."},{"_id":"H3BC4LKI7JDIHCXENWEDRROVJY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The political goal looks to be to drive Republican voter turnout in November and give Mr. DeSantis another victory before he leaves office,” it<b> </b>added."},{"_id":"4DLSEEKIDNF5JEH5TVATRFQCFM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Tax Foundation, a conservative-leaning think tank, <a href=\"https://taxfoundation.org/blog/florida-property-tax-proposal/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://taxfoundation.org/blog/florida-property-tax-proposal/\">warned</a> that the amendment “would shift property tax burdens in highly distortionary ways and make Florida’s tax code far less stable and competitive.” Local officials might raise their sales taxes to make up lost revenue, prompting residents in higher-tax counties to shift their purchasing to lower-tax ones — or to neighboring Georgia and Alabama, the organization speculated."},{"_id":"PJB3DKN2PREL3M3IGEYKRUKLXA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Conservative opponents have also criticized what Florida TaxWatch called the “hurried evaluation and adoption of this proposal” in the Legislature. Lawmakers approved the amendment in less than 24 hours last week after receiving it from DeSantis a few days earlier."},{"_id":"TZTEDZWU7BHBBGUJABRGX4QXLM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"TaxWatch opined that it would have been more appropriate to leave<b> </b>proposed changes to a <a href=\"https://library.law.fsu.edu/Digital-Collections/FTBRC/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://library.law.fsu.edu/Digital-Collections/FTBRC/index.html\">25-member state tax commission</a> set to meet in January for the first time in decades."},{"_id":"3TE4HQP5AVFGPJXUJJOZX7N5BY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Rather than force this issue to be decided in a hastily called Special Session it would be far better to have this issue taken up by the constitutionally mandated group Florida TaxWatch helped establish — the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission,\" the organization wrote."},{"_id":"OR5ZRI726FASRN2YYQIVIHNHOI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Brandes has blasted the Legislature for approving the amendment without conducting any analysis, and he’s warned that <a href=\"https://x.com/JeffreyBrandes/status/2061496148460790119?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/JeffreyBrandes/status/2061496148460790119?s=20\">it would force</a> cities and counties to beg Tallahassee for money to make up drastic revenue shortfalls."},{"_id":"KKLJJYVLZBGZPI4J2PGSS4JXGM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, a longtime DeSantis ally, warned of the amendment’s “unintended consequences.”"},{"_id":"WCJ6J4UKZVFJRKJENRTAL2W45E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I fear the proposal will devastate counties’ and cities’ ability to deliver vital services, including emergency services, to our citizens,” he said <a href=\"https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/polk-sheriff-local-leaders-brace-for-potential-funding-cuts-from-property-tax-relief/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/polk-sheriff-local-leaders-brace-for-potential-funding-cuts-from-property-tax-relief/\">in a statement</a> to WFLA."},{"_id":"QH6R45SS7BHGPC7D2OWV57EAUM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis’ office referred comment to a post on X by spokesperson Alex Lanfranconi, who called the criticism<b> </b>a “progressive argument to prevent any form of tax relief.”"},{"_id":"GK7ODL773NH7VMOWMNQ5P3GPT4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Local governments can afford to cut spending,” he wrote."},{"_id":"POHW7WSRC5C4VFFY23V6EAWSJI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis accused the Wall Street Journal <a href=\"https://x.com/rondesantis/status/2065080577007419833?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/rondesantis/status/2065080577007419833?s=46\">on X</a> of “defending bloated local budgets and opposing property tax relief for Florida homeowners.”"},{"subtype":"twitter","referent":{"referent_properties":{},"provider":"https://publish.x.com/oembed?url=","service":"oembed","id":"https://x.com/rondesantis/status/2065080577007419833","type":"twitter"},"_id":"SYNCQCCAHJDELOLUER6C4BITWA","raw_oembed":{"author_name":"Ron DeSantis","author_url":"https://x.com/RonDeSantis","cache_age":"3153600000","width":550,"html":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Wall Street Journal defending bloated local budgets and opposing property tax relief for Florida homeowners.  <br><br>Florida hasn‘t raised the homestead exemption outright since 1980 and the last partial exemption increase was enacted almost 20 years ago.  <br><br>Both times people made… <a href=\"https://t.co/dibjnA4HHY\">https://t.co/dibjnA4HHY</a></p>&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) <a href=\"https://x.com/RonDeSantis/status/2065080577007419833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 11, 2026</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n","provider_url":"https://x.com","_id":"https://x.com/rondesantis/status/2065080577007419833","type":"twitter","provider_name":"X","version":"1.0","url":"https://x.com/RonDeSantis/status/2065080577007419833","height":null},"type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"DYQORI7JHZGETC65JVU52EFOT4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Florida hasn‘t raised the homestead exemption outright since 1980 and the last partial exemption increase was enacted almost 20 years ago,” he wrote. “Both times people made similar arguments against property tax relief.”"},{"_id":"65ARFOJJFNGW7IMK6472JTCICI","type":"raw_html","content":"<style>.subtext-iframe{max-width:540px;}iframe#subtext_embed{width:1px;min-width:100%;min-height:256px;}</style><div class=\"subtext-iframe\"><iframe id=\"subtext_embed\" class=\"subtext-embed-iframe\" src=\"https://joinsubtext.com/c/politi-texts-florida?embed=true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe></div>\n<script>fetch(\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alpha-group/iframe-resizer/master/js/iframeResizer.min.js\").then(function(r){return r.text();}).then(function(t){return new Function(t)();}).then(function(){iFrameResize({heightCalculationMethod:\"lowestElement\"},\"#subtext_embed\");});<\/script>"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"DKPULAISCBASJOGDHLNXNRHEGA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\">St. Petersburg and Wauchula are in the same congressional district. We drove it</a>"},{"_id":"PLAZ3Q4TCNHBZNFNFEHDOO7HGE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Property tax amendment: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/desantis-has-claims-about-his-tax-amendment-heres-what-it-actually-does/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">DeSantis has claims about his tax amendment. Here’s what it actually does.</a>"},{"_id":"ELDF4BUCWZCF7GDVGKQWXZUUT4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Mail ballots: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\">Mail ballot requests are down across Tampa Bay</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page is the latest to come out against the amendment."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/","rotator_id":"5LXIDJJRENDVXOWOL3KZDLBFCU","site_keywords":"election","site_description":"Elections","site_title":"Election updates from the Tampa Bay 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newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every Wednesday."},"site":{"site_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/","rotator_id":"5LXIDJJRENDVXOWOL3KZDLBFCU","site_keywords":"election","site_description":"Elections","site_title":"Election updates from the Tampa Bay Times"},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"elections"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news","/news/florida-politics"]}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},{"path":"/news","parent_id":"/","name":"News","description":"News in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, including breaking news, public safety, crime, health, hurricanes and weather, politics, the environment and more from the staff of the Tampa Bay 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Ron DeSantis' plan to dramatically reduce property taxes on primary homes is drawing criticism from unlikely foes: anti-tax advocates including the Wall Street Journal's editorial board.","scheduling":{},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":4687,"inch_count_actual":28,"inch_count_planned":25,"word_count_actual":733,"line_count_actual":193}},"display_date":"2026-06-11T20:01:38.486Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"Why anti-tax advocates are against DeSantis’ property tax plan","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-11T13:13:00.021Z","publish_date":"2026-06-12T11:29:03.899Z","_id":"DZ5S6R3LMFBZ3LG76CDDLMLGIY","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/11/desantis-property-tax-amendment-wall-street-journal-taxwatch/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"JIZSS7NHSFFKNCZXQBRDYHZS3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the GOP front-runner for Florida governor, is endorsed by President Donald Trump and has an insurmountable lead in campaign contributions. Most <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/florida-governor-election-polls-2026.html?searchResultPosition=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/florida-governor-election-polls-2026.html?searchResultPosition=1\">credible polls of likely Republican voters</a> show him with a commanding edge against his primary opponents."},{"_id":"VSQFNWWBBZCKBIUM366ND73KLI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But in a week in which his Democratic foe, former U.S. Rep. <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/10/florida-governor-david-jolly-gwen-graham-2026-democrat/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/10/florida-governor-david-jolly-gwen-graham-2026-democrat/\">David Jolly, pivoted toward the November general election</a>, Donalds finds himself stuck battling his own party."},{"_id":"4KOBZTIQ5VD33DDGEC7ZUGN2H4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On Thursday, Donalds’ campaign blunted mounting pressure to debate his three GOP rivals in the race with an official refusal. In other words, there will be no debate."},{"_id":"WITEVTXJPNF6VGMIXRVWHKO2VQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“There are no participation trophies in politics,” said Gates McGavick, communications director for the Donalds campaign. “It is not Byron’s job to legitimize campaigns that have failed to gain meaningful support. Republicans are united behind Byron Donalds on defeating Democrats in November.”"},{"_id":"ULWTTRE3T5AE5IHSQEHQM7G2J4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"His three main Republican opponents haven’t gotten the message that Donalds has already won the Aug. 18 primary. Rather than quit the race, all three have launched public campaigns to convince Donalds to debate them."},{"_id":"L3FEAW57XFFANA7GAIYUOZAAJE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Lt. Gov. Jay Collins <a href=\"https://x.com/CollinsWarRoom/status/2062866638823632980\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/CollinsWarRoom/status/2062866638823632980\">is asking voters to sign a petition to convince party leaders to set up a debate</a>."},{"_id":"2PKEJVUKHBEB3MVU2QP5Q22I4M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“You have to come out and debate, and I’m very frustrated that Byron Donalds isn’t willing to do that,” Collins said Sunday on Fox News. “If you’re that far ahead, then what are you scared of? Step up, communicate and show up on the debate stage.”"},{"_id":"6NGTPI5QUZFVVGFEYRSZDNRQAE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On Wednesday, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner said he wants a series of debates. "},{"_id":"BNUKB6DSKRFF5BA5CYBFMC5NNE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“If you can’t stand on the stage with your fellow Republicans, how can you possibly defend the free state of Florida?” Renner said in a news interview that his campaign retweeted. “How can you possibly stand on the stage with David Jolly? It’s disrespectful to the voters of Florida for us not to have a series of debates.”"},{"_id":"B6ZJQ5CM7ZA2FE5IMTWYW5FY2Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Byron Donalds is trying to steal the election,” said investor James Fishback on X <a href=\"https://x.com/j_fishback/status/2064897759446974879\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/j_fishback/status/2064897759446974879\">late Wednesday in a retweet</a> of a claim that the Republican Party of Florida was barring him and other candidates from debating. "},{"_id":"IPH3XJFGVNF2LGZORUN7KGMRLE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida GOP chairperson Evan Power wouldn’t comment on whether candidates have been barred from debating Donalds. <a href=\"https://x.com/FLVoiceNews/status/2064818647613182368\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/FLVoiceNews/status/2064818647613182368\">Social media has buzzed</a> with reports that party leaders created a debate threshold for a GOP summit in late June that includes certain levels of polling and fundraising. "},{"_id":"GPRBRPQ3XBEZJBY5JPK7NGYXAI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We have nothing to report until candidate qualifying is completed,” Power told the Tampa Bay Times when asked about the threshold, referencing instead Friday’s noon deadline to qualify for the race. “We don’t even know what our field looks like.”"},{"_id":"TB5Y7TNU5FGI5DZEQFTPQ6KXEY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But Fishback said Power told him in March that to qualify for debate participation, candidates needed to raise more than $10 million and gain 10% support in unspecified polls. No GOP candidate besides Donalds<b> </b>meets that 10/10 threshold. "},{"_id":"NNABMGG6EFCBTEOBANCUD6Z6RI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"There’s no question that Donalds is lapping his GOP and possible Democratic opponents. The latest round of campaign finance reports revealed this week that his campaign had raised a total of $82 million. "},{"_id":"ISPUGLXVKJGLXKOVZGVQRBFJRI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In April and May<b> </b>alone, Donalds’ campaign pulled in<b> </b>$14 million. "},{"_id":"FVA3Q6TBEJBO7HIDNZ66SHLLOQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly’s campaign raised $1.2 million during that time."},{"_id":"G5MU7KNDUFD3XFKOCPW4AH7YYM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Yet Jolly has a big advantage in that his main rival, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/05/jerry-demings-drops-out-governors-race-cancer-diagnosis-democrat-david-jolly/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/05/jerry-demings-drops-out-governors-race-cancer-diagnosis-democrat-david-jolly/\">dropped out of the Democratic primary race last week </a>after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. "},{"_id":"N5C4MNFFMFAHTLEU5Z6ZCBCNQQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"With virtually no chance of losing the primary, Jolly has the luxury of using his limited war chest and resources to focus on the general election and appeal to independent voters. "},{"_id":"ELXH3FUJIVFB3GVMKCKHSSWKLA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"On Wednesday, he announced his running mate, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, daughter of popular former Gov. Bob Graham."},{"_id":"JWE76FHQ2VDKJCAV2KGBUEGVXI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Together, they pitched the Democratic ticket to all voters."},{"_id":"BSHOMIMWZBBMHKBYXTIESJCA2U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“You don’t have to be a Democrat to vote for a Democrat, because we want every single voter across the state to recognize this is a generational moment that requires generational leadership,” Jolly said. "},{"_id":"6PTEYAGLDBCZDAHPGLF5BMI2IA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Donalds, meanwhile, is still proving his conservative bona fides. In an election cycle where Trump has all-time low approval ratings, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/21/byron-donalds-donald-trump-strait-of-hormuz-weaponization-iran/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/21/byron-donalds-donald-trump-strait-of-hormuz-weaponization-iran/\">Donalds must still give interviews backing the Iran war and downplaying gas prices</a> to mollify Trump and MAGA voters. "},{"_id":"G4C7OOOZXFH2HMEEGDLXFG5S64","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"So, even though Donalds <a href=\"https://x.com/ByronDonalds/status/2062971575385633068\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/ByronDonalds/status/2062971575385633068\">asserts that the general election has already started</a>, his hardline conservative messaging suggests he’s still trying to wrap up a primary win. Fending off his GOP rivals until the Aug. 18 primary comes with risks."},{"_id":"NKXHVWGI6ZHGHAPYAV4SG7MOFA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“At this point, fighting amongst Republicans only helps the Democrats end the Florida Dream we all love and cherish,” Donalds said on X this week."},{"_id":"JFNBLEQCI5H4PAXKIYI7CDGIVQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>Times data reporter Ashley Borja contributed to this story.</i>"},{"_id":"65ARFOJJFNGW7IMK6472JTCICI","type":"raw_html","content":"<style>.subtext-iframe{max-width:540px;}iframe#subtext_embed{width:1px;min-width:100%;min-height:256px;}</style><div class=\"subtext-iframe\"><iframe id=\"subtext_embed\" class=\"subtext-embed-iframe\" src=\"https://joinsubtext.com/c/politi-texts-florida?embed=true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe></div>\n<script>fetch(\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alpha-group/iframe-resizer/master/js/iframeResizer.min.js\").then(function(r){return r.text();}).then(function(t){return new Function(t)();}).then(function(){iFrameResize({heightCalculationMethod:\"lowestElement\"},\"#subtext_embed\");});<\/script>"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"R762IRVLERDKJGR5UUQTLIY7NQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/10/florida-redistricting-desantis-election-lawsuit-st-petersburg-bradenton-arcadia-wauchula/\">St. Petersburg and Wauchula are in the same congressional district. We drove it</a>"},{"_id":"MSD6RMUGUNEC3JQBN6HCTMUEJU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Property tax amendment: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/02/desantis-has-claims-about-his-tax-amendment-heres-what-it-actually-does/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">DeSantis has claims about his tax amendment. Here’s what it actually does.</a>"},{"_id":"5YAWS3II3BGBDK532JBS7LSPP4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Mail ballots: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/20/mail-in-ballot-request-new-midterms/\">Mail ballot requests are down across Tampa Bay</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Meanwhile, the Aug. 18 primary is pretty much set for Democrats after Jerry Demings announced he was dropping out of the race for governor. "},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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As an editor, I’ve run our news coverage during some of the most divisive times our nation has ever faced. Now I’m back reporting on all things politics. Local. State. Federal. Send me tips, rants or keen assessments. I’m on it.","bio":"Michael Van Sickler is the political editor. Reach him at mvansickler@tampabay.com.","author_type":"Times Political Editor","firstName":"Michael","twitter":"MikeVanSickler","books":[],"podcasts":[],"awards":[],"custom_tagline":"Contact Michael Van Sickler at mvansickler@tampabay.com. 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He has a mammoth-sized lead in campaign contributions. He's all over social media and the state. He's adored by conservative media. And yet his campaign's decision to dodge a debate with his opponents continues to nag at his campaign.","scheduling":{},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":4925,"inch_count_actual":30,"inch_count_planned":30,"word_count_actual":807,"line_count_actual":205}},"display_date":"2026-06-11T17:57:09.186Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"‘No participation trophies’: Byron Donalds won’t debate GOP rivals for governor","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-11T11:21:19.571Z","publish_date":"2026-06-11T18:55:15.95Z","_id":"JXOTWZPZCBBWBJ7QTKIV53OQH4","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/11/byron-donalds-sunshine-showdown-debate-james-fishback-jay-collins/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"JIZSS7NHSFFKNCZXQBRDYHZS3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A political committee supporting St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch’s reelection campaign missed the state’s deadline to report contributions and expenditures for the latest period, the most recent in a string of mishaps dogging Welch’s fundraising efforts."},{"_id":"R5N2IUCYUJDWBCHWF3R3DBTHWE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Records show St. Petersburg Progress was the only political committee supporting a St. Petersburg mayoral candidate to not make Wednesday’s midnight filing deadline. Welch, an accountant by trade, is on his third political committee in three years."},{"_id":"WTO33IWEX5H4XMGVN63CFS4JP4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Adrienne Bogen, a spokesperson for Welch’s campaign, said the political committee’s report is late due to a family emergency. She said that it will pay the state’s $50 late fee."},{"_id":"OQMCERDXWJFANLNFKEKRSUM7OY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A prior political committee supporting Welch, Pelican PAC, was <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/09/20/st-petersburg-mayor-pac-donations-not-reported/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/09/20/st-petersburg-mayor-pac-donations-not-reported/\">shuttered by the state</a> in 2024 for failing to appoint required officers to manage the organization. It also repeatedly failed to file either a financial report or a waiver, racking up 12 failure to file notices from the state."},{"_id":"DNNKML4ROBEMFEJHWDL7EDW64I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Welch supporters then opened The Pelican Political Action Committee, using the same treasurer who did not correct Pelican PAC’s reports. In January, Bogen said the treasurer, Yolanda Brown, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/01/12/st-petersburg-mayor-ken-welch-money-stolen-political-committee-yolanda-brown/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/01/12/st-petersburg-mayor-ken-welch-money-stolen-political-committee-yolanda-brown/\">improperly misspent $207,500</a> from August to October 2025. She said Thursday that money has not been returned."},{"_id":"WGMZLKJURBEB5NAHXUYQWZ65UQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That political committee is still active but dormant. St. Petersburg Progress opened in January."},{"_id":"H2SUGG6U3ZALDIVZDOMKD25COY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"According to the report filed Thursday, St. Petersburg Progress raised around $114,000 for the last reporting period, from April 1 to May 31. The latest report lists six donors. The ones who gave the most are a company owned by Tampa Bay Rays minority owner Sidd Pagidipati, the development group behind Skyway Village and Marina Bay developer Reza Yazdani."},{"_id":"W6KIOUMZCJHJXI2CFJ2IFBTTME","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Welch’s fundraising total between the political committee and individual contributions is around $600,000. He has about $250,000 in cash on hand."},{"_id":"KYDHP7J4PJCBFJASULFESMVLQU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"St. Pete Shines, the political committee supporting former Florida Gov. and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in his candidacy for mayor, reported $289,571 in the latest reporting period for monetary and in-kind contributions. That brings the political committee’s fundraising total, which includes rollover money from past political committees from other runs for office, to just about $1.5 million."},{"_id":"AFTWGSE7NJEEHOSPZFLHXOJDNQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The bulk of those reported donations came from Many United Democrats. The political committee received an infusion of $196,500 from the Florida Democratic Party on May 31. That same day, it donated $192,000 to St. Pete Shines."},{"_id":"URB2WQJA3JA4TPYYF7Z3565EOE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"After expenditures, there was $1.35 million in St. Pete Shines’ bank account. Other notable donations include Ferg’s Sports Bar &amp; Grill owner Mark Ferguson, who donated to Welch’s political committee in the last cycle."},{"_id":"ZXJPKHSLZJDA3GUYTTFVQH2SJY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A Better Burg, the political committee supporting former St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Chief Jim Large’s run for mayor, raised $13,500. That brings the total raised to date to $50,550."},{"_id":"CPGYK6UQEZGPRA54WGPVUZ2CSI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A Better Burg has $40,584 in cash on hand. On top of that war chest, Large raised $59,430 through individual contributions to his campaign."},{"_id":"REKDCK2PKBHTHPD6P7BDEILV6I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The political committee supporting City Council member Brandi Gabbard, Forward Together PC, reported no contributions but $4,215 in expenditures. Her campaign account has raised $4,150."},{"_id":"LM2XK7W6CRAJPPZX3MNRM74LEY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Forward Together’s total raised to date is $10,600, but the political committee has $3,525 in cash on hand."},{"_id":"IN5WINGL3NC3BPQ4XTYAWK4WCE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Mayoral candidates Maria Scruggs and Kevin Batdorf do not have political committees at the state level. Batdorf raised $1,305 in individual campaign contributions."},{"_id":"GKQ5VI6QSZF2FIVURXAQOEY5WQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Scruggs has a political committee at the city level called Shelynn PAC. It raised $7,500 through the last city reporting period. On top of that, she has reported $18,000 through individual contributions."},{"_id":"65ARFOJJFNGW7IMK6472JTCICI","type":"raw_html","content":"<style>.subtext-iframe{max-width:540px;}iframe#subtext_embed{width:1px;min-width:100%;min-height:256px;}</style><div class=\"subtext-iframe\"><iframe id=\"subtext_embed\" class=\"subtext-embed-iframe\" src=\"https://joinsubtext.com/c/politi-texts-florida?embed=true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe></div>\n<script>fetch(\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alpha-group/iframe-resizer/master/js/iframeResizer.min.js\").then(function(r){return r.text();}).then(function(t){return new Function(t)();}).then(function(){iFrameResize({heightCalculationMethod:\"lowestElement\"},\"#subtext_embed\");});<\/script>"},{"_id":"BM3OO2XRMZEGZGODESMSTAAJZI","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"text","content":"<b>• • •</b>"},{"level":2,"_id":"MTKKNAEE6NFIRGKT3XMXN5NMDM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage"},{"_id":"YCDQ2FAYFZA3BBZYFTAMLZOYBI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Congressional midterms:</b> <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/02/12/hakeem-jeffries-democrats-house-control-congress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Can Democrats retake the US House? It could depend on Florida</a>"},{"_id":"HSDHM3Q2ZNC4HBHVN6ZR6F75HQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Voter issues: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/03/28/byron-donalds-james-fishback-iran-affordability-jeffrey-epstein/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">These 4 issues make Florida’s midterms a tougher slog for Republicans</a>"},{"_id":"37CLFNDETFG2NFRA46K7SVGVBU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<b>Race for the Governor’s Mansion: </b><a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/01/21/governor-2026-donalds-collins-renner-fishback-desantis-endorsement-demings-jolly/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Is the Florida governor’s race set?</a>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"A campaign spokesperson said the political committee will file the latest financial report Thursday."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/florida-politics/elections","parent_id":"/news/florida-politics","name":"Elections","description":"Elections","_id":"/news/florida-politics/elections","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news/florida-politics"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics/elections"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for Floridians","newsletter_image":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MQKT3QD2BNEJVOCA4EFB42WHQU.JPG","newsletter_subheadline":"Subscribe to our free Florida in Focus newsletter","newsletter_id":"46","newsletter_blurb":"Get the biggest stories happening across the state every 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They see a state that has grown “too complicated” and “too expensive,” justifying a multi-year retreat that left local organizers without central party support or permanent ground operations. They treat Latinos as voters like a homogeneous mass rather than a dynamic, nuanced community to be organized year-round."},{"_id":"BS2KIYTRGJCEJA3U5QZFIGGPEU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"If anyone wants to know why the political landscape has shifted, they don’t need a consultant. 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To their credit, they showed up, tapped into economic anxieties and spoke directly to our communities. In 2024, that earned them historic margins."},{"_id":"TNH6CDR5HZF3PGG5WTYDMNGZHQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But the UnidosUS data reveals a paradox that should serve as a flashing red light for both parties."},{"_id":"HE2BPB3WUFGQPMKW6OTR63ULV4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"While the Trump administration’s policies have caused a severe erosion of support — with 67% of Latinos now disapproving of the president’s performance and 1-in-4 Latino Trump voters from 2024 saying they regret their choice — Democrats are not automatically reaping the benefits."},{"_id":"KW6DGUXTVBCAHOMNP7FKQ3C3AY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Both parties are underperforming. Why? Partly because many Latino voters have joined the voting rolls in just the last four years. They are young, independent and have no institutional loyalty to a political establishment that does not speak to them directly."},{"_id":"SXUQAPHSGZH3NHP2RIFUWB2ZOY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Nowhere is this disconnect more evident than in Florida. Despite its economic growth and expanding political influence, many families face rising costs, struggling schools and uncertainty surrounding immigration policy. National politicians love to use immigration as a cudgel in the culture wars, detached from how it impacts real families. The UnidosUS data shows that 44% of Latinos fear that immigration authorities will harass or arrest them, even if they are U.S. citizens or legal residents. Furthermore, 86% of Latinos — including a majority of Latino Republicans — support legal status for long-residing undocumented immigrants."},{"_id":"O5XIH5FTBVBQPAT4VDHT6M4FP4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Our people do not want cruel, sweeping enforcement. They want a fair, orderly and decent system. They want the American Dream, pursued lawfully and with integrity."},{"_id":"GKAZUVH6IBHIHCG4FVZQYAYUCM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In South Florida, foreign politics is local politics. What happens in people’s countries of origin affects everything, including their votes. Yet Washington continues to pour millions into television advertising while neglecting the community infrastructure and trusted local relationships that actually shape political engagement."},{"_id":"L6PHLGBJ5RGMHE4HRM2GSTLV5I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Florida must never be abandoned. As a university professor, I look at the young, talented students in my classrooms and see the key to unlocking an incredible future for our country. But they are being locked out by a political system that prefers partisan theater over people-centered policy."},{"_id":"NYC7CKSSTVAB5H4MJAXPRAXZ24","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The midterms are rapidly approaching, and the Latino electorate is highly motivated to vote — 76% indicate they plan to head to the polls. But they are not waiting for any politicians’ drafted talking points. They are looking for leaders who understand their realities."},{"_id":"3U4U323XRJERFM4NCYBQSX7S2U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"It is time for a radical shift. We must build real relationships with the human beings behind the data. Only when we stop treating Latino communities as an election-cycle calculation, and start showing up at their doors, sitting at their kitchen tables and earning their trust can we move forward united and ready for the next 250 years."},{"_id":"XEA4226LMFCRDJU7O4KBEXPHNQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is a former member of Congress, the first South American-born immigrant elected to the U.S. Congress and director of the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management.</i>"},{"_id":"DNE3V4MXIBGRNF5NNC24UMKMPA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"©2026 Miami Herald. 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in the Pulse nightclub shooting 10 years ago."},{"_id":"3TN4F6PHQFB4RGSVALC6S5QNJY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"St. Petersburg is the latest city to receive a request for a proclamation from Christian groups that promote marriage as being between one man and one woman. It was brought forward by council member Corey Givens. "},{"_id":"Z6F64AHOINEB7C2QWMK5RAMKII","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A similar proclamation was recently approved by the Pinellas County Commission. The Clearwater City Council <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2025/06/21/clearwater-embraces-faith-family-this-pride-month/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2025/06/21/clearwater-embraces-faith-family-this-pride-month/\">approved the recognition last year</a>. "},{"_id":"VRYIPHE2URFGHJWR4GUO7VCSUA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"However, Mayor Ken Welch’s administration has attempted to mitigate the message by inserting the word “Inclusive” before the proclamation’s title. “Inclusive Family and Faith Month” now seeks to recognize families in all forms, including same-sex couples."},{"_id":"AHFALACEG5HQDCUWKTIWFQ5KOA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Though Faith and Family Month’s official organizers are not expected to come to City Hall on Thursday, Givens’ invited guests include a group called Florida Faith Foundations. According to its website, the group is “against a radical Leftist Woke insurgency.” It seeks to “expose LGBTQ+ radical activism.”"},{"_id":"TPY3U3VITNBIJHJ3CK2FJJM7JY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Before it was rewritten, the proclamation seemed out of character for St. Petersburg, which <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/04/st-petersburg-pride-dei-lgbtq-desantis/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/06/04/st-petersburg-pride-dei-lgbtq-desantis/\">raised the St. Pete Pride flag above City Hall</a> last week for potentially the last time.<b> </b>It has historically hosted the largest Pride festival in Florida and threw a block party to celebrate ahead of a new Florida<b> </b>law that goes into effect in January that bars cities and counties from <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/22/desantis-dei-diversity-net-zero-emission-greenhouse-gases/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/22/desantis-dei-diversity-net-zero-emission-greenhouse-gases/\">funding or promoting diversity</a>, equity and inclusion programs."},{"_id":"JV562FWZBNGXZL5IQZAOQEVA4Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Givens was the only council member who was not at the flag raising, though he attended a council meeting later that day. He said he had a personal conflict but attended the St. Pete Pride Family Day event."},{"_id":"KQRBA2EOEZAZHGPC3BJBBBXG5A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A few organizations approached him wanting the city to recognize the month of June as Faith and Family Month,<b> </b>Givens said. He said he brought the proclamation forward as Gov. Ron DeSantis declared June Faith and Family month."},{"_id":"OVTS7SVHTNFIZJLGY3NQL6NTDE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Givens said Welch did not approve the language of the original proclamation submitted. Givens said he was supportive of the changes."},{"_id":"KEMV42C7SNH6RFUD3VM4FBMKNI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“This had nothing to do with Pride,” Givens said. “This is just a month where we’re celebrating faith and family and promoting organizations to support family and having a Father’s Day event.”"},{"_id":"EOEFAR2YSJCAFNNMV7SYQ2FYYI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Givens said he supported the proclamation because he is the son of a single teen mom and he is a proponent of ending “the epidemic of fatherlessness.” He serves on the board of Next STEPP, a St. Petersburg pregnancy center that has been <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2021/06/12/how-controversy-over-a-st-petersburg-pregnancy-center-derailed-grants-for-small-businesses/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2021/06/12/how-controversy-over-a-st-petersburg-pregnancy-center-derailed-grants-for-small-businesses/\">accused by abortion-rights advocates of using unethical anti-abortion tactics</a>."},{"_id":"RZ42L3RWWNGQZIRDH5GQFV3NBQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I recognize too that families today look different,” Givens said. “There’s homosexual couples who are parents and I respect that. I would not diminish their ability to be good parents in any way. What I do know is that kids in general stand to benefit in many ways from having a father figure in their life.”"},{"_id":"5WWG5A2TXJEX5CJZSZVOV4WU2Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Asked about Florida Faith Foundations and the statements on the group’s website, Givens said he doesn’t discriminate when people bring proclamations to him."},{"_id":"YYUWTQVLNBCFBIO7XG3YOMEAXA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“As long as it’s legal and appropriate, this was one I was willing to bring forward,” he said. “I commend the mayor for signing it.”"},{"_id":"TI5R5OJ6AFED7MHWPKF5U56GZU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That doesn’t pass the smell test for council vice chairperson Richie Floyd, who is sponsoring the Pulse Remembrance Day Proclamation, which remembers the deadliest act of anti-LGBTQ+ violence in modern history."},{"_id":"3KHIV6PAAJF2NNIQ5WTNR44IJ4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“There’s a concerted effort to try to push back against LGBTQ+ rights,” he said. “I’m glad the proclamation is reflecting that our city’s not going to be a part of that pushback. Obviously I can’t speak to his intent, but the intent of these organizations are abundantly clear. It’s laid out on their website."},{"_id":"T2RTVNAYZJB5XEK6EIZSPNPQVA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It’s naive at best, really,” Floyd said."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"The proclamation resembled the one Pinellas County approved before St. Petersburg officials revised it to include the word “inclusive.”"},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/st-petersburg","parent_id":"/news","name":"St. Petersburg","description":"The latest community, government, crime and business news about St. Petersburg from the Tampa Bay Times.","_id":"/news/st-petersburg","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/st-petersburg"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Keep up with Tampa Bay’s 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Equal Ground Education Fund and two other voting rights groups <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/05/congressional-redistricting-lawsuits-desantis-election-voting/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/05/congressional-redistricting-lawsuits-desantis-election-voting/\">brought the case</a> alleging the new districts were drawn to favor the Republican Party, a violation of the state’s anti-gerrymandering law, but the First District Court of Appeal didn’t grant a temporary injunction while the underlying case is pending."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"ERHSGLUKYZCALJGKEEPUQFFB5U","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781135582461-964q7ymls","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Florida redistricting map to stay for 2026 after judge declines to block it"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/26/florida-redistricting-maps-2026-midterm-republican-gop-desantis/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"HRWRTO6TWFDE3EB5NVAI47CHQM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“At this time, we do not have jurisdiction over that matter, and we do not simply assume that the First District’s decision will provide an appropriate basis for this Court’s review,” the court ruling states."},{"_id":"L6FLVAWNQFENBCETE42CKILPVA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Genesis Robinson, executive director for Equal Ground, slammed the court’s decision. "},{"_id":"6GAA5IRYPNCEFE4HLEHEPPU5SY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The time to protect voters from irreparable harm is before another election takes place under this map,” Robinson said in a released statement. “And while we remain committed to ensuring that Florida’s constitutional protections are fully upheld, Florida voters deserve fair maps, fair representation, and a democracy that works for everyone now.”"},{"_id":"JOX5WA273JFDDJIAO2XWMHJ7NU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Justice Jorge Labarga wrote a dissent arguing the court did have jurisdiction, and chiding the First DCA for not expediting a review by the Florida Supreme Court. The qualifying deadline for U.S. House candidates ends Friday at noon, leaving no time for the courts to rule on the merits of the case before the elections are locked in place."},{"_id":"5HUO3NEXDVCFZDNXEZZEU32OTQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Had the district court invoked pass-through jurisdiction here, doing so would have established an independent basis for this Court’s jurisdiction in this matter,” Labarga wrote. “Unfortunately, for now, and with a filing deadline and an election fast approaching, we will not have the opportunity to review the issues of statewide importance raised in the petitioners’ efforts to enjoin Florida’s 2026 congressional map.”"},{"_id":"ZMBJCOESANA7HPDTS3QZMORBQY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":""},{"_id":"YTUWAADV2ZGDJLQTECQ6JKYP6Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/04/florida-redistricting-desantis-maps-gop-republican-congress-trump/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/05/04/florida-redistricting-desantis-maps-gop-republican-congress-trump/\">Gov. Ron DeSantis </a>pushed for a redrawn congressional map of Florida’s 28 districts after President Donald Trump urged Republican-controlled states to pass new maps favoring the GOP ahead of the midterm elections."},{"_id":"HKO74IMCDZCITPIUN3647YWUYY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"An aide for DeSantis drew the new map and <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/27/florida-redistricting-map-desantis-trump-congress-republican-seats/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/27/florida-redistricting-map-desantis-trump-congress-republican-seats/\">handed it to the Republican-led Legislature</a>, which passed it without any changes during an April special session."},{"_id":"XY7VG3UNTFCURGQJV7N7QZQM2A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis has pointed to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which was released during the special session, undercutting part of the Voting Rights Act that allowed districts to be drawn to favor racial or ethnic minorities. That ruling meant District 20, specifically, had to be redrawn, he contends."},{"_id":"7LAJWOFKYVEPFACAZWN5I3D4MI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But Democrats and voting rights groups that brought the case alleged the new map is a blatant gerrymander to favor the GOP, violating a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2010, known as the Fair District Amendment, that prohibits drawing districts to favor or disfavor political parties."},{"_id":"KTRPV2OOA5GMHLIVYOHKL44UHY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"They noted DeSantis’ aide, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/28/florida-redistricting-desantis-trump-gop-partisan-fair-districts/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/04/28/florida-redistricting-desantis-trump-gop-partisan-fair-districts/\">Jason Poreda</a>, told lawmakers he drew the new map with partisan data. And DeSantis’ office also sent the map to Fox News with partisan coloring, showing Republicans could flip up to four seats based on 2024 presidential voting patterns."},{"_id":"6PPGUU3AGVDNHAD2AVSTQOYTSQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Although the underlying case will still progress through the court process, the maps will remain in place."},{"_id":"KZI73KA52VCEDGME6S4VGWJZNI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The people of Florida can rest assured that elections will take place this year — under a redistricting law and an election code enacted by their Legislature, all as administered by various, capable state and local election officials — following which they will have their duly apportioned allotment of elected representatives in Congress,” Justice Adam Tanenbaum wrote in a concurrence that took issue with Labarga’s dissent."},{"_id":"R2FGJZOQWBC6RAV62LTYVG7PPM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“In the meantime, the plaintiffs will have their days in court, in due course, to be heard on the merits of their challenge to the new redistricting law—all in comportment with the reformed judicial system established by the people through their constitution,” he added."},{"_id":"2SAPUDVPR5BTNBHM46FCJ433VQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"<i>By Gray Rohrer, News Service of Florida</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Justice Jorge Labarga wrote a 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Ron DeSantis’ property tax proposal</a> could affect the county’s finances, according to a draft agenda obtained by the Tampa Bay Times."},{"_id":"O5SJIN4P6BC73FKLXSWQISBPPY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The presentation comes at the request of Commissioner Chris Boles, who told the Times Wednesday he felt his directive was a particularly prudent course of action because of Hillsborough’s ongoing stadium deal negotiations with the Tampa Bay Rays. Talks with the team, he said, cannot occur in a vacuum."},{"_id":"A3R4Q7MFXVC33IZGVUD6PGV7D4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We have this huge decision to make,” Boles said. “How is this (property tax plan) going to affect it?”"},{"_id":"PXLYM6ITHVF5POCZQA264OENHU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"After <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\">Hillsborough</a> and the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\">city of Tampa</a> approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with the baseball team last month, Rays CEO Ken Babby <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2026/05/23/ken-babby-rays-stadium-deal-tampa-city-council/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2026/05/23/ken-babby-rays-stadium-deal-tampa-city-council/\">told the Times</a> future discussions would not include “reopening a discussion on the economics” in the memorandum."},{"_id":"FVBUR6TY55B6JP43C32VLLQQPA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But Boles, who voted in favor of the memorandum of understanding, said he believes DeSantis’ plan should change that."},{"_id":"GYLGQTS3EFACZLSW3WLVB7O5CM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Given the Governor has advanced a plan to reduce revenue sources for local governments, by increasing the homestead exemption amount and reducing the cap on commercial property to 5%, the landscape has dramatically changed,” he wrote in an email to County Attorney Julia Mandell and County Administrator Bonnie Wise earlier this week."},{"_id":"6SS5LKW5NZDDHM6MCQMWPQMTJQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Therefore, I believe an opportunity has now opened to reconsider any “financial template(s).”"},{"_id":"FQHSD4QPFREJHAEXCKXNW5SCLI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In his email to Mandell and Wise, Boles raised a total of nine questions that, he wrote, the answers to which “will significantly influence whether (he feels) sufficient common ground exists to justify continued advancement of the proposal.”"},{"_id":"P74ZRJVLTZHEZEIDVAERPGDDD4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Before I can determine whether this proposal remains in the County’s best interest, I need greater certainty regarding the County’s long-term financial exposure, future flexibility, taxpayer protections, and the enforceability of the private commitments being relied upon,” he wrote."},{"_id":"LYDG5AGEQJBBRJN2UOG2TUIQ4U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Particularly concerning to Boles is the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/05/02/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-property-tax-ken-hagan-ken-babby/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/05/02/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-property-tax-ken-hagan-ken-babby/\">$103 million in county rainy day funds</a> that is included in the framework for the $976 million public contribution outlined in the nonbinding memorandum. "},{"_id":"TPX576UUI5GQLKYQI5VFM3E2VI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Is it really smart to give $100 million of reserves if we are looking at a potential $300 million loss?” Boles said, alluding to how DeSantis’ property tax plan could affect Hillsborough’s funding. "},{"_id":"PMMRZCX33VFRDFWXOG2EQS2DP4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Such a decision, he said, could look like “bad form” from the county."},{"_id":"7RB7WU5ORRDZ7DOFNXWASI5L2I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Boles joined commissioners Harry Cohen, Ken Hagan, Christine Miller and Gwen Myers in voting in favor of approving the memorandum in May. Commissioners Donna Cameron Cepeda and Joshua Wostal voted against it."},{"_id":"2D54WABWQFDWHP5FSJM7QAELBM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Next Wednesday’s meeting is scheduled to start at 9am."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Commissioner Chris Boles, who voted in favor of the memorandum of understanding, says the governor’s plan dramatically changes the landscape in which the deal is being considered."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news","parent_id":"/","name":"News","description":"News in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, including breaking news, public safety, crime, health, hurricanes and weather, politics, the environment and more from the staff of the Tampa Bay 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Gov. Byron Donalds is presiding over a dystopian Florida overrun by energy-guzzling data centers. Utility bills have skyrocketed. “Marijuana monopolies” are poisoning the water. And, if things couldn’t get any worse, “AI hate speech is now a felony.”"},{"_id":"EOFASUIS65GPPDXVU24XQKDCSY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"There is only one man who can save the day: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins."},{"_id":"2K65QNHKG5CGTBCF2KANZB2IH4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"This is the Orwellian future depicted in one of several AI-generated attacks that have emerged from the online ecosystem supporting Collins, a former Republican state senator and Green Beret now running for governor."},{"_id":"UMRYRQJB6RCGVNFYZCUSSX55OM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The video is ridiculous by design. But it also exposes a striking contradiction at the heart of Collins’ candidacy. "},{"_id":"OWZGSREFGVE4PNUTEEWMZNKQJU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Opposition to data centers has become one of the lieutenant governor’s signature campaign issues as he seeks to overtake Donalds, the Trump-endorsed front-runner in the Republican primary and the beneficiary of support from a super PAC funded by AI industry giants."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"LEVVDQ522NAL3F427G2W3ZCGGE","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781116120365-x8ihcbp1x","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"What does Byron Donalds think about AI and data centers? He says he disagrees with Trump"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2026/06/02/data-centers-florida-ai-byron-donalds/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"XD5Y423PRZBEZIMIICLDYXQJHI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Yet, even as Collins travels the state warning voters that artificial intelligence and the data centers that support it threaten Florida’s environment, energy grid and quality of life, some of the most salient messaging boosting his candidacy is being created with the help of the same technology."},{"_id":"22R6NMVLBNCVTIL6WRHMPYBOHE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The videos promoted by his campaign may also offer an early sign of where Florida politics is headed."},{"_id":"RCMRJZWX5ZGJTPLNYJUSCHWAPM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"While so-called “AI slop” has surfaced in congressional races and presidential campaigns across the country, the videos appear to be among the first high-profile examples of a Florida gubernatorial candidate or his political allies using AI-generated content as a recurring campaign tactic."},{"_id":"YQJYYXSSNNH3VG5Q3OD7XFRMM4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Political observers say the technology is likely to become a fixture of future campaigns because it allows supporters to create professional-looking ads, songs and videos at little cost with virtually no gatekeepers. "},{"_id":"U6Q4P3PGWBDQ7G7SW7E4T4YRTY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“This is the future of political advertising,” said Jane Bambauer, a University of Florida law professor who studies technology and free speech. “Everyone’s going to be able to do this.”"},{"_id":"BHQR7JCLV5ELROA4RK5NX5VKVQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"As the technology becomes cheaper and more accessible, Bambauer said, political messaging will become increasingly decentralized. Candidates and parties may lose control over their own narratives as supporters, activists and influencers create and distribute content on their behalf. Some messages will go viral; others will disappear unnoticed."},{"_id":"AWDIM2L4ENGOVBQKFE65VEZSMU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“There will be fewer controls that the political parties, or even the candidates themselves, can exercise,” Bambauer said."},{"_id":"V6B5F257AVHUDGYV2UXABWUT4Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"For now, though, Collins and his supporters seem comfortable leveraging fan-made AI content as political ammo against their biggest rival."},{"_id":"FOA3VVMGBFAJZP7ZYW3TWZV3FQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A roughly minute-long video circulated on X by an account known as “Collins War Room” — which describes itself as the “Official War Room Account for DeSantis Appointed @JayCollinsFL” — and amplified by Collins supporters, depicts Donalds as an authoritarian supervillain and Collins as a comic-book superhero. "},{"_id":"UF7DI52Q5FGH3N3KVDCVC4JQAQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Literally."},{"_id":"343GO34EDFFQTJVR4YFTNIPVOY","type":"raw_html","content":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Our supporters have outdone themselves with this one!<br><br>🔥🔥🔥 <a href=\"https://t.co/PAr3CXU0X9\">pic.twitter.com/PAr3CXU0X9</a></p>&mdash; Collins War Room (@CollinsWarRoom) <a href=\"https://x.com/CollinsWarRoom/status/2061883775462559837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>"},{"_id":"K54XUQJYKFDY7BQ4YZLLWXY6HU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The video opens with a scowling Donalds sitting behind the governor’s desk one year into his hypothetical first term. Flanked by Jeffrey Epstein and Republican operative Roger Stone, Donalds brushes off a working-class man in overalls pleading for relief from data centers and the utility bill hikes they bring."},{"_id":"5EZPTAFTL5CYFJPYR5UCG6YTXA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Guards, get this peasant out of my office,” the AI-generated Donalds snarls."},{"_id":"OJGKVN4QGZHIDFXYD77TKS5OYU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Bill Gates and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman cackle as Capitol police drag the man away."},{"_id":"2BNFOAJJLZB7ZNG3CGEBYBSOVA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Moments later, Collins bursts onto the scene donning a Captain America-style costume. He punches his way through a half-dozen officers before delivering a flying kick — aided by a bionic version of the prosthetic leg he wears after being wounded in Iraq — to Donalds’ face."},{"_id":"GPNS34FCJVHLBKPEZVC433CYYI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Collins campaign did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Donalds, a Naples-area congressman, declined to comment."},{"_id":"QGH5KPURIBGGNF6OPBNJQ4XZ4E","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Donalds alluded to the video at an event in Miami last week as he laid out his AI policy agenda, saying, “There’s all kinda AI gifs and things running around. That’s fine, but whether it’s you or anyone else, you should be able to protect your name, image and likeness.”"},{"_id":"4J57HNHXXBCQBC4W4MWRGMG5TM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The architect behind the video is Michael Thompson, a Winter Haven Republican who runs a THC chocolate and candy business as well as an AI-assisted marketing company called Green Peak Media."},{"_id":"6N66ZPD67RCZRGL2LHAWTXWYA4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Despite the videos’ appearance on accounts dedicated to promoting Collins, Thompson said he did not coordinate with the campaign. Instead, he said he shared the content with fellow Republicans in Polk County before they ended up on the Collins War Room account."},{"_id":"C7YVZTFQWVHQZNY6YR5APN5YCU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I wasn’t coordinating with them,” Thompson said of the Collins campaign. “But, hey, if they want to offer me a job? Maybe.”"},{"_id":"WYDDTB5OYBAWLOL6KL7FHK533U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson relied heavily on AI tools, software and “synthetic” assistants he developed himself. He described himself as the “executive producer” of the videos and said he was motivated by what he viewed as insufficient criticism of Donalds’ support for data center development."},{"_id":"2D6ZOCOF2VAXRMUR54LYYBXFJY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I was wanting to convey a story that I didn’t see the campaign conveying: basically, that Byron Donalds is in alignment with data centers,” Thompson said. He pointed to a Collins event in Polk County where the lieutenant governor discussed requiring data centers to generate their own power and use closed-loop water systems. "},{"_id":"QIVQLSHEQJHI3PFWPMGXHQX3AY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I was like, ‘OK, this is the guy,’” Thompson said of Collins. “But he’s got to be marketed better.”"},{"_id":"F57ZILHT45DFDFIWYG67AKDB5A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Captain America video is just one entry in Thompson’s growing catalog of AI-generated content supporting Collins, which has been reposted on X by several of the lieutenant governor’s allies, including his wife, Layla Collins; <a href=\"https://x.com/johncardillo/status/2061904781614944648?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/johncardillo/status/2061904781614944648?s=20\">John Cardillo, a senior adviser to the Collins campaign</a>; and Jason Puwalski, Collins’ press secretary."},{"_id":"YRLEFNHLZREF5FFP3WH6MXGQ4M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson said there are more videos to come. His catalog so far includes “Data Center Donalds,” a catchy Lego-style music video attacking the congressman. Collins called the earworm “pretty cool” on X."},{"_id":"K7ZJTLU5AJEJ5CXGSHSY72H5QY","type":"raw_html","content":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">OMG, who did this!?<br><br>(And now I can’t get this song out of my head.) <a href=\"https://t.co/tJWNfDjayo\">pic.twitter.com/tJWNfDjayo</a></p>&mdash; Collins War Room (@CollinsWarRoom) <a href=\"https://x.com/CollinsWarRoom/status/2059995687937360368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>"},{"_id":"KXZON7CKXVHLXJ5OALOYNCKI44","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"A sequel song, “Old McByron,” goes like this: “Old McByron had a plan. AI, AI, o. And on that plan, he built a grid. AI, AI, o. With a data center here, and a data center there….”"},{"_id":"OIUVPDLPYVE3XGHFVDRYQCXVC4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson acknowledged that the Lego aesthetic was inspired in part by <a href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd8jrd1vnyo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd8jrd1vnyo\">AI-generated videos that circulated online from Iranian state-linked accounts</a> attacking President Donald Trump."},{"_id":"DIBLY25MOZHOXFYMYBE2FAR5MU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I saw what Iran was doing,” Thompson said. “You have the ground war, and then you have the propaganda war, and I saw what Iran was doing with the propaganda war, and I realized how powerful that was.”"},{"_id":"KMOJ36NFTFCORG7F53LWYSNE24","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson embraces AI enthusiastically — even as the candidate benefiting from his work campaigns against the spread of AI infrastructure."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"GZZWA4QDPJDJBIDSNAVIAUGCXQ","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781123548934-5wkbbj58o","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Is a data center coming to Gandy Boulevard in Pinellas? We chased the rumor"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/10/data-center-florida-gandy-pinellas-st-petersburg-petition/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"OUQLX5ESLRCYTOPNXU6QJOJZ7I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson said he does not oppose data centers categorically, but believes they should be located outside Florida. He argued the United States has become fixated on building massive data centers to gain an edge in AI, while countries such as China are pursuing more efficient computing technologies that may require less energy and water."},{"_id":"MFCJ47KKSJFGXCYHOWPLNNNNW4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Thompson still poked fun at the apparent contradiction in his <a href=\"https://x.com/MichaelThompson/status/2063411562220577003?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://x.com/MichaelThompson/status/2063411562220577003?s=20\">latest production</a> on Saturday, in a parody of an oft-memed clip from the Adolf Hitler-centered film “Downfall.”"},{"_id":"WXOECJ7HBFGPJKP3HD7AJEUYQA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In Thompson’s video, a Nazi Party official informs Donalds — standing in for Hitler — that “the Jay Collins supporters are using AI to call you out for your plans to make Florida the data center capital of the U.S.”"},{"_id":"ERM7P2PJ5FFFHJCK2XWNKBDKWE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I’m basically fully taking advantage of AI, 100%,” Thompson said. “And I’m not against AI data centers, I just don’t want them in Florida. Go put them in another state.”"},{"_id":"NDVKS73ACBHMFMQZCZNKA227WQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Donalds has argued such facilities can be developed responsibly if they generate their own power, manage water consumption and shield ratepayers from added costs."},{"_id":"UJCKF3B3MJDEROTYSABTKEM43A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Collins has made opposition to data centers a central plank of his campaign, but as a state senator he voted for legislation that included tax incentives for them."},{"_id":"3NR23MMAYZHP5O4RJ4VATKH4CU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"One of Collins’ opponents in the Republican primary, former House Speaker Paul Renner, dismissed the videos in an interview as “over the top.” (A miniature, AI-generated version of Renner can be seen in a bird cage on Donalds’ desk in Thompson’s Captain America video.)"},{"_id":"3ALCANWFQBFE7F6HZRJTM2NH54","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Renner argued that voters deserve substantive engagement from candidates through televised debates and public appearances rather than AI-generated caricatures and social-media spectacles."},{"_id":"GBPJPGQKYBENLG4NTM7JOZJZDU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“It’s also disrespectful to the voters to run a caricature campaign,” Renner said. “He needs to show up and actually stand on the stage with all the other candidates.”"},{"_id":"JZEXZYGIXNH2LBXLIBQGW7JTCQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"He also mocked Collins’ superhero alter ego."},{"_id":"OWGYIGE4QRHDDJFRWRDYCMJ4TA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“He’s making such a big deal about it and running these stupid AI videos that he’s Mr. Captain America, but can’t even show up for a single candidate forum with other candidates present,” Renner said."}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Videos being promoted by Lt. 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"},{"_id":"Q2BOHXLX6ZAKRPWKHCB6Q7AB34","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That’s according to a recent poll from researchers Timothy Kellison and Cole Armstrong of Florida State University and San José State University, respectively. It probed 600 active Hillsborough County voters — out of more than 801,300 registered as of April — between April 16 and June 9. "},{"_id":"XJP6O5F4A5F4ZP66XOVQ2MO4VY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The survey comes weeks after <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-hillsborough-county-stadium-mlb-babby-hagan/\">Hillsborough’s County Commission</a> and the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/21/tampa-bay-rays-tampa-city-council-stadium-vote-memorandum-of-understanding/\">Tampa City Council</a> approved a nonbinding agreement with the Rays, propelling their pitch to build a $2.3 billion baseball stadium in Tampa. "},{"_id":"PAPNWVS45BDLZLX2BXPS3LO764","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Many residents recognize what a ballpark could bring— what they’re less sure about is whether their voices have been part of the decision,“ Kellison said in a news release. ”The gap between support for the idea and confidence in the process is worth paying attention to as the project moves forward.” "},{"_id":"LKRXFKRBZVECTMROLR66BVGPRE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Three in four survey respondents agreed that the stadium would bring jobs to the region, and roughly two-thirds said it would be a source of community pride."},{"_id":"L3LIV4CKTNF6HJPNDWAXZMPUY4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But a majority said they feel residents have been shut out of the decision-making process. Less than 30% of respondents said “city leaders have taken seriously” the views of residents who live near the site at the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College, in West Tampa. "},{"_id":"VMH37WVOKVGK7G6PT76GJ4IBNE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Roughly a third of respondents agreed that “city leaders have been open and honest about the costs and benefits” of the project. A third also said they trust officials to make the “right decisions for the community regarding the ballpark.” "},{"_id":"CRGS3AQHGBC3ROF6LGGLDAE5NM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"And around 45% of respondents said they support using public funds to build the stadium, with more than half opposed. More than 70%, meanwhile, agreed that “there should have been a public vote on the use of public funds.” "},{"_id":"HW4UEKP7PJDKHF45S47EAHB25M","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The nonbinding memorandum of understanding approved by local officials last month outlines a $976 million public contribution toward the cost of the stadium, with $796 million from the county and roughly $180 million from the city. "},{"_id":"IVM6APZOHZAIFE5NQXZVCC74IE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Survey responses were collected through an online questionnaire sent to more than 29,600 active registered county voters. Roughly 25% of respondents are registered Democrats, 32% are Republicans and another third are independent, according to the news release. Nearly 60% are men. "},{"_id":"WKHHP4EEJNGY3CPHDB2RLJITZY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Some responses mirror those from a <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/04/08/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-poll-hillsborough-deal/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2026/04/08/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-poll-hillsborough-deal/\">survey commissioned earlier this year</a> by Tampa Sports Authority board member Andy Scaglione that found a majority of county voters say they support a Rays stadium in Tampa and believe the project would drive economic impact. "},{"_id":"INPWUPZZFBF4TCOBYO22S2OOOA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"That poll of 530 “likely voters” also found that a majority of respondents opposed using money from the Community Investment Tax, the county’s half-percent sales tax, to help pay for the stadium. 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Gwen Graham</a> will join him on the ticket. "},{"_id":"BWQEFELNSNEMZEOOXMWGF63XMM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly is the first major gubernatorial candidate to announce his lieutenant governor pick. "},{"_id":"YNGYBXIN7VBM5BCWF7MQYXMIXI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“This is a generational moment that requires generational leadership,” Jolly said Wednesday."},{"_id":"JESQ3NSALZH7PFNTVHIDM4YWA4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Graham is the daughter of former Florida Gov. Bob Graham. She ran for governor in 2018 but lost in the primary to Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who was the more progressive candidate. "},{"_id":"KJZZYSZYNFGUJGO2TGTFD4GZKA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly, who was a Republican when he served as Pinellas’ U.S. representative, has run his campaign as a moderate Democrat. Graham joins him on the ticket in the center-left. "},{"_id":"XDCDRIJRB5CIZHAGMZSF6UJECE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly said he chose Graham because he was looking for someone who was capable of serving the state “not just as lieutenant governor but as governor.” He said he and Graham would be a governing partnership. "},{"_id":"K4GYHAXDU5C6LORF3JICOVGD44","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Her loss in 2018 to the U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders-endorsed Gillum was seen as a <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/28/for-gwen-graham-loss-is-a-rejection-of-her-familys-centrist-politics/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/28/for-gwen-graham-loss-is-a-rejection-of-her-familys-centrist-politics/\">rejection of Graham’s milder</a>, occasionally Republican-friendly brand of politics. Gillum later lost to Republican Ron DeSantis in the general election by <a href=\"https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/17/desantis-wins-florida-gubernatorial-race-as-gillum-concedes-1000530\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/17/desantis-wins-florida-gubernatorial-race-as-gillum-concedes-1000530\">less than half a percentage point</a>."},{"_id":"JCSK2EDOLJC2PEMV4UCWYDRPNA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But the Florida of 2026, branded by DeSantis as the ideal state for conservatives, isn’t the Florida of 2018. Jolly and Graham are embracing their centrist bona fides rather than running away from them. "},{"_id":"TJIMAOTBRFHNLIPHXXRWZJ2UKE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“David and I are in this campaign because the Florida we love, the Florida we all love, frankly is slipping away,” Graham said."},{"_id":"FH3H2UYPRZD75GTZJ6ITWLZWXA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/06/05/david-jolly-democrat-governor-desantis-pinellas-2026-election/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/06/05/david-jolly-democrat-governor-desantis-pinellas-2026-election/\">launching his campaign</a>, Jolly said his policies had changed but his values hadn’t, emphasizing his belief in fiscal restraint and small government. "},{"_id":"TQWFSHXBYBFZFORWX26X67F2GY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Jolly’s announcement comes a week after his main opponent for the Democratic nomination, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/05/jerry-demings-cancer-diagnosis-florida-governors-race/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/06/05/jerry-demings-cancer-diagnosis-florida-governors-race/\">withdrew from the race</a> after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. "},{"_id":"KRZALWTC5FGAJPHFW2EH5WGIBM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Among Republicans, there are several high-profile candidates, including President Donald Trump’s pick, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. Other Republicans include investor James Fishback, former House Speaker Paul Renner and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins."},{"_id":"7QF7QYLZZBCTLGGDFKKIQD7FVI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In a statement, Evan Power, the head of the Republican Party of Florida, said that Jolly and Graham are “the perfect representatives of today’s Florida Democratic Party.”"},{"_id":"WMBSJLHDD5CJTJZCUYK3WJJQWA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“David Jolly has spent years changing his beliefs whenever it benefits his political career, while Gwen Graham abandoned the North Florida values she once claimed to represent and went to work advancing Joe Biden’s radical education agenda in Washington,” Powers said. "},{"_id":"N2HSQIPHM5BI5I73HPJWKXOUTA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":""},{"_id":"J743IHYJZVDUDHNKHSX3KT7X7A","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"DeSantis is term-limited. He has not yet endorsed a candidate to replace him."},{"_id":"TJA5UQJ3XZGKPDWLERTMSDSDVM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The primary election is Aug. 18. "}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Graham, the daughter of former Gov. 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Jolly is running for governor.","source":{"system":"photo center","name":"Archive","edit_url":"","source_type":"other","source_id":"2339177","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","distributor":{"mode":"custom","name":"Archive","category":"other","subcategory":"Ingestor"},"version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/Q2BI3UWJHQI6TAOPPAY4DVT77I.jpg","geo":{},"licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[{"name":"Times (2017)","type":"author"}],"by":[{"name":"","additional_properties":{},"type":"author"},{"image":{"version":"0.5.8","url":"https://author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/tbt/eae59f55-6796-4071-8151-9e9160279bb2.png"},"socialLinks":[{"site":"email","deprecated":true,"deprecation_msg":"Please use social_links.","url":"curso@tampabay.com"},{"site":"twitter","deprecated":true,"deprecation_msg":"Please use social_links.","url":"TB_TimesCurso"}],"social_links":[{"site":"email","url":"curso@tampabay.com"},{"site":"twitter","url":"TB_TimesCurso"}],"name":"Chris Urso","description":"Chris Urso is the photo director who oversees news and sports coverage. Reach him at curso@tampabay.com.","_id":"chris-urso","additional_properties":{"original":{"lastName":"Urso","secondLastName":"","role":"Photo Director/News and Sports","education":[],"native_app_rendering":false,"affiliations":"","bio":"Chris Urso is the photo director who oversees news and sports coverage. Reach him at curso@tampabay.com.","twitter":"TB_TimesCurso","contributor":false,"custom_tagline":"Contact Chris Urso at curso@tampabay.com. Follow @TB_TimesCurso.","beat":"Times staff","bio_page":"","last_updated_date":"2024-09-22T00:08:24.250Z","byline":"Chris Urso","email":"curso@tampabay.com","slug":"chris-urso","image":"https://author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/tbt/eae59f55-6796-4071-8151-9e9160279bb2.png","longBio":"Growing up in Southern California was great but in 2005 I needed to make a drastic move. This move was not caused by my fear of earthquakes but my fear of not having a career in the vocation I adored. Family in tow we trekked cross country, on a plane, and landed at The Tampa Tribune. I am lucky to be one of the few who were plucked by the Tampa Bay Times after the purchase of the Tribune in 2016. My family and I have grown to love the Tampa Bay area. We spend off times floating on the intercostal and biking along the Pinellas Trail. I am extremely passionate about photojournalism and a strong advocate of photojournalism ethics. When asked, I tell people I am just a SoCal expat attempting to live the Florida lifestyle and I make visuals awesome.","fuzzy_match":false,"author_type":"Times Staff Photographer","firstName":"Chris","books":[],"podcasts":[],"awards":[],"custom_phone":"‪727-487-2449‬","_id":"chris-urso","status":true}},"type":"author","version":"0.5.8","url":"","slug":"chris-urso"}]},"subtitle":"","width":744,"_id":"Q2BI3UWJHQI6TAOPPAY4DVT77I","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/Q2BI3UWJHQI6TAOPPAY4DVT77I.jpg?auth=f15d8a16e26737fc988e745ada76bc840bbbf916399f41aed1680bafaf3b0d02","keywords":[],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/v2/Q2BI3UWJHQI6TAOPPAY4DVT77I.jpg?auth=f15d8a16e26737fc988e745ada76bc840bbbf916399f41aed1680bafaf3b0d02","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/Q2BI3UWJHQI6TAOPPAY4DVT77I.jpg","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/Q2BI3UWJHQI6TAOPPAY4DVT77I.jpg?auth=f15d8a16e26737fc988e745ada76bc840bbbf916399f41aed1680bafaf3b0d02","ingestionMethod":"Ingestor","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/v2/Q2BI3UWJHQI6TAOPPAY4DVT77I.jpg?auth=f15d8a16e26737fc988e745ada76bc840bbbf916399f41aed1680bafaf3b0d02&width=300","version":3,"originalName":"AR-309259411.jpg","mime_type":"image/jpeg","restricted":false,"galleries":[]},"created_date":"2019-08-28T02:35:41Z","last_updated_date":"2026-06-10T17:56:45Z","height":498,"image_type":"photograph"}},"canonical_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/10/florida-governor-david-jolly-gwen-graham-2026-democrat/","revision":{"editions":["default"],"parent_id":"ECKILSCXTVEE3ACWIU6DAM2XYM","published":true,"branch":"default","revision_id":"CNCIMMJLTREWJI3EP7WB6DMU7Q"},"planning":{"budget_line":"Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly is expected to announce his running mate: Gwen Graham.","scheduling":{},"story_length":{"character_count_actual":2646,"inch_count_actual":16,"inch_count_planned":13,"word_count_actual":418,"line_count_actual":109}},"display_date":"2026-06-10T15:13:19.36Z","headlines":{"tablet":"","print":"","meta_title":"","native":"","web":"","mobile":"","basic":"David Jolly picks Gwen Graham as running mate for Florida 2026 governor race","table":""},"created_date":"2026-06-10T11:47:06.853Z","publish_date":"2026-06-10T17:56:52.924Z","_id":"ABTGF5ZNRBASFE3QG3GZMP2FOI","website":"tbt","website_url":"/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/06/10/florida-governor-david-jolly-gwen-graham-2026-democrat/"},{"content_elements":[{"_id":"GM7RDMCLGNB6FA2CQOM6D53DIQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Thousands signed a petition. Facebook users talked of sit-ins and urged their neighbors to flood the inboxes of Pinellas County commissioners. Residents testified in government meetings that they were terrified for their future home values and drinking water."},{"_id":"QQWXVJPG6NH4XFJOFVL7N5FNYA","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"The rumors of a potential data center coming to Gandy Boulevard in Pinellas County have weighed heavy on the minds of residents. They’ve read horror stories of the hulking, humming warehouses going up in neighborhoods before locals could mount opposition — spurring fears of<b> </b>a powerful industry that can move faster than reliable information."},{"_id":"VNKCVQ7GRNCIDGOA22UCAB26IA","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"But, at least for now, a Gandy data center proposal doesn’t exist."},{"_id":"35Y4HWGZO5HV3MIYIZUGGHEC4E","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"The Tampa Bay Times tracked down the rumor to its most likely source. Here’s what we found:"},{"level":2,"_id":"T6ETRSAIVJBQRMTDUDUQQB6KTE","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"The origin of the Gandy data center rumor"},{"_id":"HEUTLVHRHNCH7D4HQUNSDZF7BU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The first known mention of a potential data center on Gandy Boulevard came on April 30 during a Pinellas County commission meeting."},{"_id":"JUWIJJQY2FH5VB3RELZWEW7I5U","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Commissioner Kathleen Peters floated the idea of passing a county moratorium on large-scale data centers. She said time was of the essence."},{"_id":"74GVPDP3MBCOXFJD6SZMZIFMLI","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“We already have somebody interested in putting one on Gandy Boulevard,” Peters said."},{"_id":"SWAGMIMV5FA6TGP2BJBE4HFTMY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Oh my,” gasped fellow commissioner Rene Flowers."},{"_id":"ORHUQYFA6BCPDAVJ4H4VMUZUSA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“So if it’s something this commission is going to entertain, I think it’s something we’d have to expedite,” Peters said."},{"_id":"Y3I3JGT3LZFKBHGYUVAUIVU624","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"The Times <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/30/pinellas-county-artificial-intelligence-data-centers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/04/30/pinellas-county-artificial-intelligence-data-centers/\">published a story about her comments</a>, as did other local media outlets like <a href=\"https://stpetecatalyst.com/peters-seeks-to-block-data-centers-despite-state-law/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://stpetecatalyst.com/peters-seeks-to-block-data-centers-despite-state-law/\">the St. Pete Catalyst</a>."},{"_id":"KY534SOCL5GADBBXC4XKVXLEFY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In a recent phone interview, Peters explained the backstory to that remark. As she researched the data center issue, she asked the county administrator if anyone had expressed interest in building one in Pinellas County."},{"_id":"EYPFWG4PSNCURC2TLISVJG642I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Staff had one inquiry in the Gandy area, but they had not filed an application. It was just a phone call inquiring — no application, no nothing,\" Peters said. “I never asked who inquired, so I don’t know.”"},{"_id":"Z3PETKBSZFDDZFYCIR5DMQTRXY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When the Times asked the county for more information about who made that phone call, officials did not elaborate."},{"_id":"ZZ5JRESNTJBIHD3LNB2VS5ZWOU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“Pinellas County has not received any formal proposal, site plan or applications for a data center along Gandy Boulevard,” Pinellas spokesperson John Carkeet wrote in an email. “I’m sorry, but we do not have any additional information on this.”"},{"_id":"LHASQMKSSFCJRFC6AEDSE5M6RE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Duke Energy, which would provide the power to a data center in that area, referred a reporter to the local governments in the area, saying that public officials are typically made aware of data center proposals before the utility."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"JUH4RYQE75GHJCUIACW2ZYNETA","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781031366205-pb97ywtzw","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"Duke Energy trying to skirt new Florida data center law, consumer advocate says"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/05/29/duke-energy-florida-data-center-desantis-electric-bill/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"level":2,"_id":"VYHZO56HERFAFC4ILXOM5L7ECM","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"The possible source"},{"_id":"PMDRESPOPFDD5FNC27SZBJSNQE","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Within weeks, posts whipping up opposition to “the Gandy data center” were exploding on social media."},{"_id":"BJMB7PIK45GPFJFCWV7FDALKNM","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“Hey St. Pete, we all hate data centers right?” local influencer Caulin Donaldson told his 120,000 Instagram followers in late May. He has millions more followers on TikTok, where he’s known for <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/2022/04/18/pinellas-influencer-got-14-million-tiktok-followers-cleaning-local-beaches-now-he-wants-your-help/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/2022/04/18/pinellas-influencer-got-14-million-tiktok-followers-cleaning-local-beaches-now-he-wants-your-help/\">viral videos of picking up trash on the beach</a>."},{"_id":"GI2XNBU5XNATNC7I3LQRG2LSFM","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“Well, turns out they’re eyeing the Gandy area,” Donaldson said in the video. “This is the time we shut it down.” "},{"_id":"CEYWXLVSSBDY5OLCAK33DRBSR4","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“These AI data centers in Pinellas County — this is gonna be the next big debate,” said Marc Jason, host of the Pinellas Podcast TikTok account in a video. “Move over, <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/2026/02/03/ebikes-crashes-electric-scooters-pinellas-trail-hillsborough-biking/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/2026/02/03/ebikes-crashes-electric-scooters-pinellas-trail-hillsborough-biking/\">e-bikes</a>.”"},{"_id":"LMJHEISJMZGGNL2UZNO3UAOMA4","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"One possible source of all the speculation is Derby Lane, the old greyhound racing track that occupies 130 acres in unincorporated Pinellas County near Gandy Bridge."},{"_id":"XGZVUOT3EBCDBKTOMVHXB5XMUA","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Sagi Genger, CEO of Rally Development, the investment group that <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/things-to-do/2026/03/23/derby-lane-st-petersburg-farmers-market-flea-history-development-tampa-rally/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/things-to-do/2026/03/23/derby-lane-st-petersburg-farmers-market-flea-history-development-tampa-rally/\">recently bought the racetrack</a>, confirmed to the Times that the new owners did consider a data center there at one point. But due to technical issues, they decided against it."},{"_id":"USPVFCN2SJEH3A35U5ZCWQVZRQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Genger said he was unaware of anyone else on Gandy considering a data center."},{"_id":"HKXAE5TOMVE33LRWT26NBPU6Z4","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“We looked at it,” he said. “We’re moving in a different direction.”"},{"_id":"WW7A46D6QBGEVKT7ZSAOJEYZRE","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Nationwide, public opinion on data centers has <a href=\"https://heatmap.news/daily/data-center-polling?utm_source=TheRundown&amp;utm_medium=Sailthru&amp;utm_campaign=060826_TheRundown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://heatmap.news/daily/data-center-polling?utm_source=TheRundown&amp;utm_medium=Sailthru&amp;utm_campaign=060826_TheRundown\">swung negative</a>, and Florida appears to be no exception. "},{"_id":"QVIX7ZKZIRHWHM3INUEPZXDIGA","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"People of all political stripes have <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/04/florida-data-center-citrus-polk-fort-meade-desantis-petition/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/04/florida-data-center-citrus-polk-fort-meade-desantis-petition/\">organized against proposals in rural parts of the state, including in Citrus County, Lakeland and Fort Meade</a>."},{"subtype":"custom_embed_interstitial_link","_id":"U65WRHTUKJAMLBWDI2U6F63J74","embed":{"id":"interstitial-link-1781031301201-jhpwgzdme","config":{"additional_properties":{"interstitial_type":"related"},"content":"In rural Florida, the anti-data center movement gathers strength"},"url":"https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/06/04/florida-data-center-citrus-polk-fort-meade-desantis-petition/"},"type":"custom_embed"},{"_id":"2XYTOFTGONCMFCREVD32T7KNXY","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Donaldson, the local eco-influencer, said he’s glad Tampa Bay residents are on high alert for any data center proposal that arises. He’s the one who started the <a href=\"https://c.org/dSHNss86Ms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://c.org/dSHNss86Ms\">anti-data center petition</a>, and<b> </b>he said he kept its description intentionally broad so it can be repurposed to show the force of opposition to any projects that crop up in Tampa Bay."},{"_id":"GKIRIF4EARAMPJXIDQYUEYRG2I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I would absolutely do it again because, I think after watching what happened in Box Elder County, it seems they caught wind of it too late in the process,” Donaldson told the Times, referencing a 40,000-acre project <a href=\"https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2026/05/21/utah-gov-spencer-cox-says-rollout/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2026/05/21/utah-gov-spencer-cox-says-rollout/\">in Utah</a> that’s prompted mass backlash from residents there."},{"_id":"UFSEXNDUDFAXTA7V3LKWSXDPYA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I’m happy to jump online and say, ‘Turns out this is a rumor, this is great.’” "},{"_id":"V25FLPM6GRCRTHBWXVKV2JMXRQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"Peters said even though the Gandy project isn’t materializing, she’s worried that this is only the beginning. She’s been told that the city of Pinellas Park also received inquiries — though no formal applications — from companies eyeing their land. "},{"_id":"AZZBDHNJ7NFCDAKD3DYPRFN4UQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"If the land was already zoned industrial, she worries it wouldn’t even require a city council vote or public hearing, leaving residents in the dark."},{"_id":"D3UCAI22RVGQXOPYCNTGWLJZBQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"“There’s no reason on the planet anyone should build a data center in this county,” Peters said. “It doesn’t even make sense.”"},{"level":4,"_id":"3O4HD25NJ5FLZGXUUOKTKA4JFQ","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"center","type":"header","content":"<i><b>• • •</b></i>"},{"_id":"6LXKYBDJ3VHW3BSDN3MDVXIQGM","additional_properties":{},"alignment":"left","type":"text","content":"<i>The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Florida’s most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by </i><a href=\"https://project.tampabay.com/donate/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\"><i>clicking here</i></a><i>.</i>"}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Here’s what we found out about how real this potential data center could be."},"description":{"basic":""},"source":{"system":"composer","name":"tbt","source_type":"staff"},"taxonomy":{"primary_site":{"path":"/news/environment","parent_id":"/news","name":"Environment","description":"Environmental news in the Tampa Bay area and Florida, including red tide, manatees, panthers, bear hunts, pythons in the Everglades, climate change and more, from the Tampa Bay Times","_id":"/news/environment","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"site":{"site_url":"/news/environment/","site_keywords":"Environment News","site_description":"Environmental news in the Tampa Bay area and Florida, including 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our free DayStarter newsletter","newsletter_id":"18","newsletter_blurb":"We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning."},"inactive":false,"site_topper":{"site_logo_image":null},"name":"Environment","_id":"/news/environment","advertising":{"adbridg_kvp":{"News":"Environment"}},"ancestors":{"default":["/news"]},"order":{"default":2011}}},"type":"site","version":"0.5.8"},{"path":"/news/florida-politics","parent_id":"/news","name":"Florida Politics","description":"The Buzz on Florida Politics | Tampa Bay Times","_id":"/news/florida-politics","additional_properties":{"original":{"promo":{"house_promo_link":null,"house_promo_disable":"false","house_promo_image":null},"parent":{"default":"/news"},"_admin":{"alias_ids":["/news/florida-politics"]},"newsletters":{"newsletter_article":"true","newsletter_section_front":"true","newsletter_headline":"Required reading for 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