By Chris Ingram

Special correspondent, The Tampa Tribune

Published June 14, 2011

State Sen. Jack Latvala is one of my favorite members of the Florida legislature. In a body full of undistinguished do-nothings, that’s not really saying much, but Latvala is genuinely a good guy who is smart, capable, independent and well-intentioned.

I haven’t always sung the praises of Latvala. In fact, over coffee last week, he reminded me my Irreverent View column’s endorsement of his opponent last year was the only one he didn’t get.

I’m not afraid to admit I was wrong about him. At the time I thought he was just another career politician climbing the ladder.

During this year’s legislative session Latvala and a few other senators served as something of a speed bump to the heavy-handed tactics of (more…)

By Chris Ingram

Special Correspondent, Tampa Tribune

Last week Hillsborough GOP Chairwoman Deborah Cox-Roush asked me, “Why do you hate the Republican Party?” I wasn’t the slightest bit surprised or offended by the question as I’ve been asked this before.

The fact is I don’t hate the Republican Party. But I don’t love it either. For me, the party is merely the means to an end. When the party or its candidates don’t support the end, they don’t get my support.

As far as my Republican bona-fides go, I’ve been bleeding Republican red since I was a kid. At 10 years old, I made a hand-made sign boasting “Reagan for President” that I tacked to my bedroom door.

As an adult I’ve worked for the election of scores of Republican candidates. I’ve stuffed envelopes, walked neighborhoods, managed campaigns, attended conventions, and contributed money. I’ve been a registered Republican my whole life.

But I quit drinking the GOP’s Kool-Aid years ago.

I refuse to support Republican candidates when (more…)

…or does it?

The blame game is running fast and furious in Jacksonville over who is responsible for Democrat Alvin Brown’s win over Republican Mike Hogan.

One thing is clear: Mike Hogan was an extremely flawed candidate. He was afraid of his own shadow, was not highly accessible during the campaign, and refused all but one debate. Hogan was also something of a, shall we say, wing-nut.

On the subject of abortion, Hogan showed how much of an extremist he is. (more…)

Unedited e-mail Billie Tucker, the grand poo-pah of the First Coast Tea Party sent out to her “boots on the ground.”

From: Billie Tucker <billie@REDACTED>
To: sons-of-libertyfl <sons-of-libertyfl@REDACTED>
Sent: Fri, May 20, 2011 7:31 am
Subject: RE: [SnDL] Why Jacksonville matters

The list of losers in the TU included the GOP, Rick Scott and Billie Tucker. 

This is their strategy and let me tell you all something – the GOP sucked at helping in our local election.  When it all came down to standing up to the thugs and demanding a recount – the GOP lawyers wimped and said we didn’t have a leg to stand on.  They didn’t have the money to pay for it!  (more…)

Hillsborough Sheriff still hasn’t ruled out a run

By Chris Ingram

Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee told the Tampa Tribune today that he is “not thinking about” getting into the Florida U.S. Senate race at this time.  However, he also told the Tribune, ““I hate to say never to anything, but I never thought of my job as sheriff as a steppingstone,” he said. “Washington probably wouldn’t be ready for me anyway – my matter-of-fact style.”

Photo: Sheriff David Gee

Gee also told the Tribune’s William March,  (more…)

Bitner has chance to show “game on”

By Chris Ingram

Rumor has it that a misguided bunch of misfits and rabble-rousers on the Republican Party of Florida’s state committee will seek the removal of Chairman David Bitner at the party’s quarterly meeting in Orlando this weekend.

Bitner who is just four months into his first term as chairman was recently diagnosed as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. Bitner’s diagnosis was sudden and he currently uses a motorized scooter to move about.

Caption: Dave Bitner has chance to show he's nobody's punching bag.

The mutinous bunch of malcontents seeking Bitner’s removal have a long record of throwing bombs at party leaders – sometimes deservedly so, though sometimes not. (more…)

Florida Elections Commission owed almost $1.4 million in unpaid fines

By Brandon Larrabee, News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Candidates, consultants and political organizations owe the Florida Elections Commission almost $1.4 million in unpaid fines from cases stretching as far back as 1990, state records show.

The debts in 184 cases — many of which are already being written off by the state — has prompted members of the panel to consider whether and how to go after those who have defied an order to pay up for as long as 20 years. But the issue is complicated by how much authority the commission even has to use potentially effective tools to try to extract payments from the scofflaws. (more…)

By Chris Ingram

Special Correspondent, The Tampa Tribune

Published May 7, 2011

Only half joking, I’ve been suggesting Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd should run for the U.S. Senate. I remain convinced the current group of candidates lack the qualifications, communication skills or ideas to make an ounce of difference in the “greatest deliberative body.” Judd would stir things up.

Despite my public pleas for Judd to enter the race, he hasn’t made any noticeable effort to run. He apparently likes being sheriff; it has been a good gig for him. Do a YouTube search on the sheriff and more than 100 videos pop up. The guy likes attention. In fact, it has been said the most dangerous place in Polk County is the space between Grady Judd and a TV camera. (more…)

By Chris Ingram

Irreverent View spoke with Florida State Senate President (and U.S. Senate candidate) Mike Haridopolos on Tuesday night. The following are excerpts from that conversation.

I.V. What were your goals for the session?

Haridopolos: My significant goals for this session were: balance the budget, education and pension reform, no new taxes, and reform Medicaid. We’ve held the line on taxes and balanced the budget, and have votes on Medicaid coming [before the session closes on Friday]. (more…)

Bennett confirms (again) he’s going to run against Castor

By Chris Ingram

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune is now reporting what I reported in my column in the Tampa Tribune a week ago: State Senator Mike Bennett intends to run against U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor next year.

I spoke to Bennett again today and he says he will have his campaign committee up and running by May 20th (a few weeks later than he initially indicated). Bennett said by then he will be “Happy, willing and able to take money from anyone who is willing to give to his campaign to help me defeat liberal Kathy Castor.”

Photo: Florida State Senator Mike Bennett

From the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: (more…)