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Patrick Manteiga

For many, Tampa’s 2021 Super Bowl is unexpected ‘big win.’ Others remain skeptical.

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Members of Tampa’s political, business, media and activist communities weighed in Wednesday on the surprising news that Tampa will host the Super Bowl in February 2021. The announcement was unexpected, particularly after the NFL snubbed a local bid last year to host the big game in either 2019, 2020 and 2021. But major rainstorms in Southern California throughout the past year delayed construction of a new stadium for the L.A. Rams and Chargers, forcing the NFL to choose a new town…

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Here’s where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay politics — the ‘this place is the best’ edition

in Peter by

Besides, maybe, New York City or Washington, D.C., there really is no better place from which to write about politics than Tampa Bay. One reason is that there are so many competitive congressional and legislative seats in the region. And what’s spent to win those seats is oftentimes as much as the amount spent to win other state’s U.S. Senate seats. These seats are competitive because Hillsborough and Pinellas remain “purple” seats in an era when more and more counties…

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Don’t forget about Shawn Harrison as a possible candidate for Tampa mayor

in Peter by

In his “As We Heard It” column, Patrick Manteiga writes that candidates of all stripes are starting to measure their strengths for a potential run for Mayor of Tampa. Among the names the plugged-in Manteiga mentions are the obvious contenders, like former police chief Jane Castor and current City Councilman Mike Suarez, as well as Councilmembers Yolie Capin and Harry Cohen. Also in the mix, Manteiga says, are Hillsborough Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, Public Defender Julie Holt, former state Rep.…

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Local media figures dissect the 2016 presidential election at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club

in The Bay and the 'Burg by

While some parts of America are ecstatic and others scared in the wake of Donald Trump’s shocking presidential victory earlier this month, most others are simply thankful the whole long, ugly, divisive campaign is history. Then there is the political class, who in opinion pieces and discussions on cable news, continue to chatter about what led to perhaps the biggest political upset in modern U.S. history. The Tampa Tiger Bay Club hosted their debriefing of the election on Friday with four local reporters…

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Shawn Harrison holds on in rough-and-tumble HD 63 race

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Republican Shawn Harrison held on in a rough-and-tumble race against challenger Lisa Montelione to represent House District 63. With all precincts reporting, Harrison had 51 percent of 71,483 votes cast. Montelione held a close early lead but Harrison overcame that and steadily pulled ahead as the night progressed. “Obviously, we’re very happy,” Harrison said in a statement. “We executed what was a perfect game plan. We had a very targeted and specific message to Democrats in this district, and we…

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What to make of House candidate Jackie Toledo?

in Peter/Top Headlines by

Jackie Toledo, the oft-controversial Republican running for Florida House District 60, has a major fundraiser planned for Tuesday. And while the invitation for the event is studded with dozens of local Republican heavyweights, I’m still not sure what to make of Toledo. Is she, as I want to believe, the latest in a line of Hillsborough Republican female pols who were initially underestimated by their critics and the media (think Sandy Murman during her stint in the Florida House)? Or…

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Here’s where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay politics — the ‘it’s October’ edition

in Peter by

Hello, October. This is the final full month of the 2016 campaign cycle. In five weeks, we will know so much more about the future of the country, the state and our communities. But, no matter what, life will go on. For those in “The Process” — Florida Politics’ term for the unending legislative campaign/legislative session system — it’s just two months before committee meetings begin. In fact, like many people I talk to who are in “The Process,” we’re planning for the 2017…

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