Freshman Rep. Kathy Castor was among 95 House Democrats to buck Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday by joining with 133 Republicans to defeat a $700 billion financial rescue bill. ...more

September 30, 2008

By now most of us have become so inured to the jibber-jabber of campaign advertising that if we turned on the television and heard a commercial accusing a candidate of being a lying, conniving, race-baiting, drug-dealing, sex-crazed Satanist, most of us would probably idly shrug and say: "That's nice. Would you pass the salt, Bertha?" ...more

September 18, 2008

John Dicks, who finished second in last month's heated Democratic primary for the 9th Congressional District, has filed a lawsuit accusing the winner of libelous campaign advertisements. ...more

September 17, 2008

The breathless electorate of Florida's 9th Congressional District can rest easy tonight. Anita de Palma has bestowed her unequivocal endorsement on Bill Mitchell, her former rival and, as of Tuesday, the Democrats' nominee to take on incumbent Gus Bilirakis. ...more

August 31, 2008

La acusación de que gastó demasiado dinero en viajes no detuvo a que los votantes reeligieran a Susan Valdés para un segundo término como miembro de la Junta Escolar del Condado de Hillsborough. Valdés ganó con un amplio margen. ...more

August 27, 2008

A strong finish in Pasco County helped Carrollwood lawyer Bill Mitchell win the hotly contested U.S. House District 9 Democratic primary race. He will face Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, in the general election. ...more

August 27, 2008

Here's a rundown of some of the hot races and issues facing voters in November: Hillsborough County supervisor of elections: The race pits incumbent Buddy Johnson against Phyllis Busansky. ...more

August 27, 2008

The battle between two Democratic lawyers fighting for the chance to unseat U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis heated up Thursday, with one hauling an old financial skeleton out of the other's closet. ...more

August 22, 2008

U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Adam Putnam, who represent parts of Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, Lithia, Plant City and Seffner, hoped to vote to rescind the congressional ban on offshore oil drilling. The area Republicans will have to wait, however, until the House returns from its summer recess. ...more

August 20, 2008

BUSINESS NOTES CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE: Winthrop Barn Theater, 11349 Bloomingdale Ave., Riverview. The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Congressional Update at noon today. Confirmed speakers include U.S. Reps. Adam Putnam and Gus Bilirakis, who will present an overview of current congressional discussions and how federal policies affect local businesses, education, health care and quality of life. There will be a question-and-answer session. Call the chamber at (813) 689-1221 or e-mail abraden@brandonchamber.com. ...more

August 20, 2008