A candid outdoor photograph showing journalist Mitch Perry interviewing David Jolly at IBEW Local 915 in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 7, 2026. On the left, Perry stands in profile wearing a short-sleeved grey button-up shirt and a black shoulder strap, holding a small recording device and gesturing toward Jolly while speaking. On the right, Jolly wears a dark navy polo shirt while holding a young child wearing a red shirt and blue patterned rain boots, who rests their head on his shoulder. In the background, an outdoor gathering takes place under a large white event tent on a grass field under an overcast sky.Mitch Perry (L) and David Jolly at IBEW Local 915 in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 7, 2026. Credit: Daria Mironova / WMNF News

As far as political reporters go, there might not be one more prolific than Mitch Perry.

Since switching Bay areas more than 20 years ago, the former San Francisco resident has been a staple of the local scene, first on staff at WMNF Tampa, then at Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, Bay News 9, Florida Politics and now as Senior Writer at Florida Phoenix (full disclosure, this reporter co-hosts a Friday public affairs program on ‘MNF with Perry).

This month—under moderation by former Tampa Tribune editor and current Florida Trident contributing editor Tom Scherberger—Perry is part of a panel that will discuss November’s midterms and what they mean for voters, and non-voters, alike.

Patró Mabíli, co-host of WMNF’s “Sunday Forum,” is among the panelists along with Donna Davis of the “Surly Voices” program.  

Tickets for Wavemakers Live happening next Thursday, Sept. 17 at The Commodore in Ybor City are still available for $10-$15.

Pitch in to help make the Tampa Bay Journalism Project a success.

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This article appears in September 10 – 16, 2026.

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