Kim Berfield

Mitch Kates resurfaces as political director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party

Published on January 5, 2016 in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Mitch Perry

Although he said a couple of years ago that he was going to retire from running campaigns, reports of Mitch Kates departure from the political arena were obviously greatly exaggerated. The latest move for the 51-year-old political strategist – who made a huge splash in the Tampa Bay Area for a short period of time in the mid-to-late aughts – is his recent ascension to becoming the political director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. It’s a big responsibility heading into…

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A public congratulations to Commissioner John Morroni

At about this time last week, I was considering pulling a practical joke on my friend Commissioner John Morroni. About 20 minutes before candidate qualifying was to close last Friday, I was going to call him, frantic, with news that a last-minute candidate was stepping up to challenge him this November. The best name I could come up with was former state legislator Kim Berfield, figuring that she was a serious enough name to spook Morroni, but obscure enough that he wouldn’t…

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David McKalip’s list of contributions includes $500 to Democrat Janet Long

Published on July 27, 2009 in The Bay and the 'Burg by Peter Schorsch

David McKalip, the now disgraced doctor who sent out a racist email depicting President Obama as a tribal witch doctor, has an extensive record of contributions to Florida politicians and political causes. Why does this matter? Because you just know that this was not the first time McKalip’s real beliefs were shared with policy makers. How many meetings must he have had with elected officials during which his ignorance reared its ugly head? According to the Florida Divison of Elections…

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Did George Kostanza design Charlie Justice’s new campaign logo?

Published on June 23, 2009 in Peter/The Bay and the 'Burg by Peter Schorsch

Charlie Justice doesn’t pretend to offer the style or pizazz some of his flashier legislative colleagues are so eager to dish. He’s an aw-shucks, down-to-Earth, wonkish Boy Scout who will never be confused with some of his slicker predecessors (he currently occupies the seat once held by Charlie Crist). But Justice’s buttoned-down demeanor and soft-spoken approach have served him well in public life. He’s made a quick ascension from legislative aide to state representative and state senator. Now, he’s David…

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A point-by-point rebuttal of Diane Stenle’s editorial criticizing early mail-in voting

Published on March 23, 2009 in Peter/The Bay and the 'Burg by Peter Schorsch

Let’s start being honest about why the St. Petersburg Times seeks to downplay the significance of early, mail-in voting: if voters cast their ballots early, that will lessen the importance of the Times‘ coverage, especially its editorial recommendations. My point-by-point response to Diane Stenle’s editorial is in italics. Candidates might as well throw out the play book on how to run campaigns for local offices in Pinellas County. It’s a whole new ball game. The game changer: mail balloting. Stenle…

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On Endorsements

Published on June 26, 2006 in Peter/The Bay and the 'Burg by Peter Schorsch

Are endorsements helpful in state legislative races? Of course they are. When one candidate earns a majority of endorsements, like Charles Gerdes has in the Democratic Primary for House District 53, then that has to count for something. Often, though, the slate of endorsements are spread out among each of the candidates in a race. The Realtors endorsed this candidate, the PBA endorsed that candidate and so on. Sometimes, a candidate wins all of the “Democratic” endorsements, like ones from…

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10 Things I Think I Think

Published on June 13, 2006 in Peter/Statewide by Peter Schorsch

If Charlie Crist’s all-out TV ad blitz and statewide bus tour didn’t widen the gap between him and Tom Gallagher, the response by Gallagher’s campaign certainly exacerbated the situation. The Gallagher campaign sent protesters to a Crist rally, they distributed a very lame Top 10 list about Charlie’s bus tour, they’ve released useless media bulletins, etc., etc. It’s becoming apparent how bush-league Gallagher’s campaign is being run. Of course, I just hate the message Crist is delivering: “I’m a Ronald…

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