Deep Something

Josie Tomkow’s Record Shows Tallahassee Comes First

June 26, 2026June 26, 2026 B. John 166 Views 0 Comments local control, Tallahassee preemption, Public Schools, South Tampa, Senate District 14, Hillsborough County, Josie Tomkow, Brian Nathan, Home Rule

This entry is in the series 2026 Elections

This entry is in the series Florida Legislature

Florida Republicans love to talk about freedom, but their voting records often tell a very different story. Over and over again, Tallahassee politicians have voted to take decision-making power away from local communities, local governments, and local school boards. Josie Tomkow’s record in the Florida House is a clear example.

Tomkow is now running again against Brian Nathan in Senate District 14, asking Tampa-area voters to send her back to Tallahassee. But when she served in the House representing Polk County, she repeatedly voted for state preemption over local control, including on housing, zoning, infill redevelopment, civilian oversight, and public schools.

That matters here. Tampa and Hillsborough County deserve representation rooted in this community, not another vote for Tallahassee control. The question for voters is simple: if Tomkow voted this way in the House, why should anyone expect her to vote differently in the Senate?

Featured Politics Election Legislature

Tallahassee Keeps Telling Local Communities to Sit Down

June 23, 2026 B. John 196 Views 1 Comment Home Rule, Preemption, local democracy, Hillsborough County, worker protections, Florida Legislature, heat safety, Tallahassee, zoning

This entry is in the series Florida Legislature

This entry is in the series 2026 Elections

There is a word in Florida politics that sounds dry enough to cure insomnia but is quietly reshaping life in our communities: preemption.

Preemption is what happens when Tallahassee tells local governments they are not allowed to solve local problems. In recent years, the Legislature has used it to block local worker protections, weaken local control over zoning and development, and shift more decisions away from the people who actually live with the consequences.

My latest article examines this growing pattern, including Florida’s ban on local heat protections for outdoor workers, recent development bills that override local planning, and the legislators who keep voting to shift power away from communities and into the state’s hands. This is not just a procedural fight. It is about whether local democracy still means anything when powerful interests want it out of the way.

Featured Media Politics Legislature Society Crack Pots

When Elected Officials Skip the Phone Call and Go Straight to the Pitchfork

February 5, 2026February 5, 2026 B. John 393 Views 0 Comments ICE protest, fact-checking, school governance, Civic Engagement, Florida Politics, Student walkout, education policy, Hillsborough County, DeSantis administration

Apparently, in Florida politics, the due-diligence phase has been replaced by vibes, outrage, and a quick dash to social media. Two Hillsborough County Republican legislators worked themselves into a moral panic over students protesting ICE at a local high school — and then skipped the most basic step of governance: checking the facts. Instead of making a phone call, they fired off a letter demanding an investigation and the permanent revocation of a principal’s educator license. Because when you hear something alarming, why verify it when you can threaten someone’s career instead?

Here’s the inconvenient truth they missed: the protest happened after instructional time. Not during class. Not instead of math or English. After. That small detail didn’t stop Florida’s education commissioner — a hand-picked appointee of the governor — from piling on with a scolding warning about “diverting students from instruction.” Strong language, zero curiosity. What followed wasn’t leadership or oversight. It was performative outrage, public intimidation, and a clear message to educators and students alike: civic engagement is welcome only when it stays quiet, invisible, and politically convenient.

Featured Politics Election County Commission

2022 Election – Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners District 1

October 29, 2022October 29, 2022 B. John 1258 Views 0 Comments Hillsborough County, Harry Cohen, 2022 Election, Scott Levinson, florida

This entry is in the series 2022 Election

I had one of the most interesting candidate conversations I think I have ever had around this race. I had a long conversation with Scott D. Levinson, the Republican running for the seat. This is where it got interesting. He seems to be very socially progressive, to the point I eventually said, “Scott, you need not be telling people this. You may get kicked out of the Republican party. But the thing is, Harry gave me an appointment when he was a member of the City Council and heard me out on some contractor behavior issues we were having in the neighborhood.

2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Commission District 6

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2020 Election – Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners District 6

October 18, 2020 B. John 1235 Views 0 Comments County Commission, Pat Kemp, Sandy Murman, Hillsborough County

This entry is in the series 2020 Election

This has Republican Sandy Murman seeking to unseat Democratic incumbent Pat Kemp. This is a tough one for me. Sandy Murman panders, moves from office to office as she’s termed out, and serves only developers. On the other hand, Kemp, who I contributed to, has refused to return calls and messages, so I won’t be voting for either candidate.

@020 Candidates for Hillsborough County School Board District 7

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2020 Election – Hillsborough School Board District 7

October 18, 2020 B. John 1270 Views 0 Comments Lynn Gray, Sally Harris, Hillsborough County, School Board

This entry is in the series 2020 Election

This is a county-wide seat and the only school board race I vote in this round. Lynn Gray, the incumbent, is being opposed by Sally Harris who previously served on the board and was voted out. Harris served in 2017 and 2018 as Chair of the Board of Education, but her entire tenure was pretty lack-lustier. Given the challenges that will be faced by the district in 2021 and into next year, that’s just not going to cut it. I talked to Lynn Gray this time and in her previous election. She has over 40 years of classroom and school administrative experience and is involved in the schools as more than just a member of the board. She shares my concerns about the loss of funding to for-profit charter companies. So, for all those reasons, I’m going with Lynn Gray for Hillsborough School Board District 7.

2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Commission District

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2020 Election – Hillsborough County Commission District 1

October 18, 2020 B. John 656 Views 0 Comments Harry Cohen, Scott Levison, Board of County Commission, Hillsborough County

This entry is in the series 2020 Election

Democrat Harry Cohen and Republican Scott Levinson are vying for this seat. I did not get a call from Levinson, but I did hear from Harry Cohen. In fact, that’s not the first time we’ve talked. Cohen is a policy wonk. He makes sure he knows what he’s talking about, and he will have thought through any proposals he makes, and he takes the long view. So for Hillsborough County Commission District 1, I’m recommending Harry Cohen.

202 Candidates for Hillsborough County Tax Collector

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2020 Election – Hillsborough Tax Collector

October 18, 2020October 18, 2020 B. John 1084 Views 0 Comments 2020 Election, Nancy Millan, T. K. Smith, Tax Collector, Hillsborough County

This entry is in the series 2020 Election

The two candidates are Democrat Nancy Millan and Republican T.K. Smith. I put out my usual call to both but spoke only with Millan. McMillan has 30 years of experience at the tax collector’s office. In speaking with her she was suggesting some innovative ways to meet the needs of the citizens with some simple common-sense approaches to the many tasks performed by the tax collector. She was open to minor suggestion I made, and I thought she was smart and practical. I’m recommending Nancy Millan based on her years of experience, knowledge of the office and its duties, and her commonsense approach to the office.

2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Sheriff

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2020 Election – Hillsborough County Sheriff

October 18, 2020 B. John 771 Views 0 Comments Chad Chronister, Gary Pruitt, Ron McMullen, Hillsborough County, Sheriff

This entry is in the series 2020 Election

The incumbent is “married into money” Chad Chronister opposed by Independent Ron McMullen and Democrat Gary Pruitt. Pruitt is the only candidate who returned my calls (and you know my rule). I didn’t expect to hear from Chronister. Chronister is the recommendation of Times Editorial Board, and we could do worse. In my conversations with Gary Pruitt I found him to be genuine and level-headed. He seems to care a lot more about “law enforcement” than about politics. He wants body cams and windshield cams. He also favors an actual “Citizens’ Oversight” function over just an “advisory committee.” I’m recommending Gary Pruitt.

Andrew Warren Hillsborough State Attorney

Politics Election Featured

2020 Votes – Hillsborough State Attorney

October 17, 2020October 17, 2020 B. John 688 Views 0 Comments #AndrewWarren, #MikePerotti, State Attorney, 2020 Election, Hillsborough County

This entry is in the series 2020 Election

Incumbent Andrew Warren (D) is being challenged by Attorney and Former Sheriff’s Officer Mike Perotti. I talked to Warren when he last ran, and again this time along with Mike Perotti. I don’t think there should be some kind of marriage between law enforcement and the judical system. That doesn’t mean I don’t think they have to work together, but one shouldn’t be seen as “serving” the other. I think Perotti’s career is one of law enforcement, not Justice. Perotti also said he wouldn’t enforce the mask mandate in Hillsborough County as the verdict isn’t in on their effectiveness, so you can imagine that’s all I needed to say no to him. I’ll be voting for Andrew Warren.

Places Tampa Politics Election

Hillsborough County Commission District 7

October 19, 2018October 23, 2018 B. John 931 Views 0 Comments Hillsborough County, Kimberly Overman, Board of Commissioners

This entry is in the series 2018 Elections

There are three candidates for this at-large seat on the County Commission. In keeping with my commitment to talk to people running in local elections, I’ve talked to Kimberly Overman and Todd Marks. I’m endorsing Kimberly Overman.

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