10 Memorable Moments/Developments in Tampa Bay Politics in 2020 By Mitch Perry Florida SHARE Spectrum Bay News 9's Mitch Perry covered local reaction to George Floyd, COVID's affect on politics, and of course, Decision 2020. Below, he picked out the Top 10 Political stories of the year. 1-Michael Bloomberg campaigns in Tampa (January 26) While Florida remains a crucial battleground swing state in general presidential elections, its place on the primary calendar precludes it from being very influential in presidential primaries (that’s why legislative leaders voted to move up the primaries in 2008 and 2012, though they were later sanctioned for doing so). Michael Bloomberg entered the Democratic race for president extremely late, but for a brief, shining moment, appeared as if he could be the choice for centrist-leaning Democrats fearful of a Bernie Sanders nomination and Joe Biden’s early failure to emerge in the polls.