NewsCreative Loafing Tampa Bay — NewsOctober 26, 2026Hillsborough County
Creative Loafing publishes 2026 voting guide endorsing Democratic candidates for Florida statewide offices
Photo: Creative Loafing Tampa Bay — News
Creative Loafing published its 2026 election voting guide endorsing David Jolly for governor, Jose Javier Rodriguez for attorney general, Annette Taddeo for chief financial officer, and Joey Mendoza Atkins for commissioner of agriculture. The article criticizes the records, financial disclosures, and ties of Republican candidates Byron Donalds, James Uthmeier, Blaise Ingoglia, and Wilton Simpson.
Read the full story at Creative Loafing Tampa Bay — NewsWhy It Matters
Voters evaluating the 2026 Florida statewide elections face choices shaped by controversies over charter school financing, state litigation spending, and executive appointments.
Key Facts
- Creative Loafing published its 2026 election voting guide endorsing David Jolly for governor, Jose Javier Rodriguez for attorney general, Annette Taddeo for chief financial officer, and Joey Mendoza Atkins for commissioner of agriculture.
- The article highlights an investigation into Erika Donalds' charter school network, noting that tax filings and state audits found five charter schools paid more than $30 million to two private companies run by her over four years.
- The publication criticizes appointed Attorney General James Uthmeier's record and notes that Florida’s Republican Party dropped a lawsuit against TV stations airing ads about the $10 million Hope Florida scandal.
- The voting guide challenges Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia regarding omissions of property holdings from public financial disclosures.
- The article faults Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson for votes involving state forest land and Hillsborough College property.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida”PersonJoey Mendoza Atkins“Candidate for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture”locationFlorida“State government context”PersonWilton Simpson“Florida Commissioner of Agriculture”PersonByron Donalds“U.S. Congressman and Republican candidate for governor”PersonJose Javier “J.J.” Rodriguez“Candidate for Florida Attorney General”locationFort Myers“Location of Optima school”PersonRay Roa“Editor-in-Chief of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay”PersonBlaise Ingoglia“Florida Chief Financial Officer”PersonAnnette Taddeo“Candidate for Florida Chief Financial Officer”PersonDavid Jolly“Democratic candidate for governor”PersonErika Donalds“Founder of Optima Foundation / Education Freedom Foundation and wife of Byron Do”PersonJames Uthmeier“Florida Attorney General”locationTallahassee“State capital”locationHernando“Region associated with Blaise Ingoglia”