The Times Editorial Board has now published all of its recommendations in the general election races.
We focused mainly on state wide races and races that have a connection to Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. We wish we could do more — in Pasco, Hernando and Manatee counties, in particular — but the research and interviewing takes time. We don’t want to shortchange the process.
Not everyone thinks that a newspaper’s editorial board should make political recommendations. There are valid arguments on both sides of that debate. We believe the recommendations contribute to healthy political dialogue. And given how many readers ask when the recommendations will appear, a lot of you find them valuable. You don’t have to agree with us, but be assured that we take the process seriously.
Here is a list of all of the recommendations. If a race is not on the list, we will not be making a recommendation. The link for each race is clickable. Click on the link to read the full recommendation.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Representative
District 13 - Eric Lynn
District 14 - Kathy Castor
District 15 - Laurel Lee
District 16 - Vern Buchanan
Governor
Attorney General
Chief Financial Officer
Agriculture Commissioner
Florida Senate
District 16 - Darryl Ervin Rouson
Florida House
District 58 - Kimberly Berfield
District 61 - Janet Varnell Warwick
District 62 - Michele K. Rayner
District 67 - Fentrice Driskell
District 68 - Lawrence McClure
Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney
Hillsborough County Commission
Pinellas County Commission
Pinellas School Board
Hillsborough County Judge
Pinellas County Judge
Florida Amendments
No. 1 - Eliminating tax on resiliency improvements: No
No. 2 - Abolish Constitution Revision Commission: No
No. 3 - Tax break for police, teachers and others: No
Hillsborough amendments
Countywide - Transportation sales tax: Yes
Temple Terrace - Mayoral pay: Yes
Pinellas amendments
St. Petersburg referendum 1 - Expansion of Dali Museum: Yes
St. Petersburg referendum 2 - Authority to grant economic development tax exemption: Yes
St. Petersburg amendment 1 - Change election schedule: Yes
St. Petersburg amendment 2 - Change residency requirement for redistricting: Yes
Clearwater amendment 1 - Bluff development project: Yes
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Explore all your optionsLargo amendment 1 - Exemption of Horizon West Bay property: Yes
Largo referendum 1 - Authority to grant economic development tax exemption: Yes
Largo referendum 2- Recreation center project: Yes
Dunedin amendment 1 - Charter review committee appointments: Yes
Dunedin amendment 2 - Ordinance review committee appointments: Yes
Indian Shores amendment 1- Qualifications for office: Yes
Indian Shores amendment 2 - Mayor as registered agent: Yes
Indian Shores amendment 3 - Vice mayor rotation: No
Indian Shores amendment 4 - Holding other offices: Yes
Indian Shores amendment 5 - Charter offices: Yes
Madeira Beach amendment 1 - Qualification and term of office: Yes
Madeira Beach amendment 2 - Induction of newly elected member of board of commissioners: Yes
Treasure Island amendment 1 - Update personnel system: Yes
Treasure Island amendment 2 - Signature requirement: Yes
Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue referendum 1 - Approve a fire district tax: Yes
Editorials are the institutional voice of the Tampa Bay Times. The members of the Editorial Board are Editor of Editorials Graham Brink, Sherri Day, Sebastian Dortch, John Hill, Jim Verhulst and Chairman and CEO Conan Gallaty. Follow @TBTimes_Opinion on Twitter for more opinion news.