Jason Montgomery (LinkedIn), a 43-year-old Lakeland resident who works in Manatee County as the school district’s athletic director, has filed to run as a Democrat for the Florida House District 40 seat currently held by Republican Colleen Burton. He faces another Democrat, Shandale Terrell, in the August 2018 primary. Source: The Ledger
Category: Politics
Posted inBusiness
Business-Related Political Training Included 6 Candidates
Four declared candidates for Lakeland City Commission — three of them running for the same seat — and two candidates for Polk County Commission are among a dozen people who recently completed a course designed to develop business-minded elected officials.
Posted inCity Hall
Mayor’s Race Gets a Second Candidate
Patrick Shawn Jones, a 52-year-old heavy metal DJ and certified sterilization technician (Facebook profile), has filed (document) to run for mayor, offering a strong contrast with businessman Bill Mutz, the only other announced candidate. “I know how it is to ride a city bus to work and have to walk home because the bus doesn’t run […]
Posted inBusiness
Chamber Political Arm Opposes Strong Mayor Drive
Saying the current form of city government “best serves the interests of the community,” the political arm of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce voted today to oppose the proposal to change to a strong mayor system.
Posted inCity Hall
City Commission Races Draw Three New Candidates
Three new candidates for Lakeland City Commission share a desire to speak for citizens they say have been marginalized: Kathy Barsotti, the 58-year-old co-owner of Django and Friends Dixieland Emporium, wants to represent people who work and pay taxes but are never asked their opinion: “small businesses, artists, the creators in town, the people all through […]
Posted inCity Hall
View Chamber Forum on Strong Mayor Initiative
Both sides presented their case tonight in a forum on the strong mayor question that Lakeland voters will decide Nov. 7. Here is a video replay of tonight’s meeting: Also: Ledger coverage of the forum.
Posted inPolitics
FloridaPolitics Catches Up With Congressional Candidate Williams
Greg Williams, a 12-year Lakeland resident who teaches graphic design at Keiser University, is one of four Democrats running for the congressional seat held by Dennis Ross, a Lakeland Republican. Source: FloridaPolitics
Posted inPolitics
Young Bloomingdale Navy Vet Plans to Oppose Ross
Andrew Learned, 30, is the fifth Democrat in the race and the only one from Hillsborough County. Source: Tampa Bay Times
Posted inCity Hall
Commission Tweaks Strong Mayor Ballot Wording
City commissioners played editor this morning, tweaking the wording voters will see when they vote Nov. 7 on whether to change the system of city government to strong mayor. The edits include changes sought by both sides of the contentious issue.