Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala has long been a staple of local politics, leading from the dais and shaping politics behind the scenes.

Dipping some from No. 12 last year, Latvala nevertheless continues to earn his place on the list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians, this year at No. 17. While his standing on the list dropped, it’s hard to argue his influence has. And over the past year, he overcame a battle none should have to wage.

In late 2025, Latvala found himself fighting for his life after what seemed like ordinary gastrointestinal upset, after experiencing an SMA dissection, where the superior mesenteric artery tears. The SMA supplies blood to part of the large intestine, much of the small intestine, and part of the colon. A dissection is an emergent condition that requires highly specialized care. It put Latvala in the hospital for weeks, with an even longer recovery at home.

But as the enduring strength of his name suggested he would, Latvala overcame, returning to civil service as a revered leader, mostly among his Republican colleagues, but also with respect among those on the other side of the aisle.

While the past year has been quieter than the one before — and a likely reason for Latvala’s ranking slip this year — he has nonetheless continued to lead, including by holding even his own colleague, from his own political party, accountable.

Latvala was instrumental in ensuring fellow Pinellas County Commissioner Vince Nowicki did not enter into a conflict, calling attention to Nowicki’s inquiry into serving as City Manager for Treasure Island and his decision to forgo a legislative aide in order to keep the salary for himself.

Neither ultimately occurred, possibly thanks to Latvala’s work in bringing Nowicki’s inquiries to light last Summer. But while Latvala was critical of the conflict presented should Nowicki serve in an executive role for a city within the county, he expressed his concerns with the sort of careful diplomacy and southern charm for which Latvala has become known.

The Latvala name is synonymous with power, not just in Pinellas County, but across the state. Before being elected to the County Commission in 2022, Latvala served as a Representative starting in 2014.

Even his transition from Tallahassee powerbroker to local policymaker showed Latvala’s reach. It took an act of the Legislature, on which he still served, to make his Pinellas County Commission race happen when it did. Lawmakers included a provision in a broader law that changes the election for his seat to 2022, thus providing a seamless transition for Latvala from the House to the Commission. Without that, Latvala would not have been on the ballot until 2024, something that could have kept him out of elected office for two years.

And even with the new election date favoring him, no one challenged him. That may have been due to Latvala’s keen ability to raise funds. Latvala ultimately banked more than $100,000 for a race in which he had no opposition, and that’s not even counting the more than $63,000 he raised for his political committee, Friends of Chris Latvala, or money he would have access to through his father Jack Latvala’s PC, the Florida Leadership Committee.

Latvala had to run again in 2024, the date of the regularly scheduled election for his District 5 seat, and again faced no opposition.

“Chris Latvala and I have grown up in this process together. While he doesn’t take himself too seriously, he is deeply serious about his responsibility as a public servant. He is not afraid to be vocal about issues that are important to him. Through his recent health challenges, it is clear he is guided by his faith and strong family values,” said Shawn Foster, owner and founder of Sunrise Consulting Group.

Not facing his own election this year, Latvala will no doubt be instrumental in helping his fellow Republicans gain ground, including his wife, Bianca Latvala, who is running for Clearwater City Council and is the far-and-away front-runner.

Look no further than the 2024 Election when he backed several successful candidates.

His House slate included Kaylee Tuck, who won by a 50-point margin, and Kim Berfield, who dominated Bryan Beckman in a decisive victory. Earlier in the year, he also helped defeat Clearwater mayoral candidate Kathleen Beckman, Bryan Beckman’s wife, and install two new conservative City Council members in Clearwater, establishing an all-Republican Board.

Latvala also notched wins for Largo City Commissioner Mike Dibrizzi and Pinellas School Board member Katie Blaxberg, who overcame heavy opposition from high-profile figures such as Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and even the late Hulk Hogan.

He also worked behind the scenes to help elect two Republicans to the Pinellas County Commission, flipping two seats red and leaving his party with a supermajority, with just one Democrat on the dais.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with Commissioner Latvala for many, many years, and what has always stood out is how much he genuinely cares about the people of Pinellas County,” said Anita Berry, a senior government consultant for Johnston & Stewart Government Strategies. “He approaches every challenge with thoughtfulness, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. Whether it’s in Clearwater or across the county, he balances strong leadership with an authentic connection to the people he serves, and that’s a rare quality.”

Latvala is a loyal conservative, to be sure, but he also knows when to temper partisanship. Two years ago, when consulting for Blaxberg, Latvala went against some of the most powerful Republicans in the state. Blaxberg was a registered Republican who had been previously registered as a Democrat. She was seen as a check on DeSantis’ hand-picked Moms for Liberty-aligned candidate — a moderate conservative to take on a staunch conservative.

With that track record behind him, it’s likely Latvala will continue to be a strong force behind the scenes, advocating for conservative candidates seeking to earn or maintain their own positions of leadership.

“Miracle Man, Family Man, Public Servant Man. Amidst his health challenges, he’s never wavered in his commitment to his constituents, his colleagues, and his community. Blessed Man. To have Bianca by his side,” Corcoran Partners Partner Helen Levine said.

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As for methodology, the Tampa Bay region is defined as Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties, with Hernando, Polk and Sarasota included when their elected officials impact Pinellas or Hillsborough.

A politician is defined as someone currently in office or actively running for office.

Panelists ranked their Top 25, with a first-place vote earning 25 points, second place earning 24, and so on down to 1 point for 25th. Those totals were combined to produce the final list.

We also want to thank our experienced and knowledgeable panelists, who were essential to developing the 2026 list: Vinik Family Office Chief of Staff Christina Barker; Mercury Public Affairs Managing Director Ashley Bauman; Michael Corcoran and Matt Blair of Corcoran Partners; former Sen. Jeff Brandes; Stephanie Cardozo of The Southern Group; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick managing partner Ron Christaldi; political consultant/strategist Barry Edwards; Vicidial Group President Matt Florell; Sunrise Consulting Group President Shawn Foster; businessman Michael Griffin; St. Pete Catalyst Publisher Joe Hamilton; Clay Hollis of Tucker/Hall; Natalie King of RSA Consulting Group; Moffitt Cancer Center VP of Public Affairs and Communications Merritt Martin; political consultant Chris Mitchell; Mike Moore of The Southern Group; RSA President and CEO Ron Pierce; Tucker/Hall CEO Darren Richards; political consultant Jim Rimes; political consultant Preston Rudie of Catalyst Communications Group; TECO Vice President of State and Regional Affairs Stephanie Smith; lobbyist Alan Suskey of Shumaker Advisors; and Michelle and Peter Schorsch, publishers of Florida Politics.