The original purpose of the Capital Tiger Bay Club, founded in 1971, was to provide a non-partisan forum on current political issues and listen to the views of newsmakers and opinion leaders of the day. Monthly luncheons are scheduled at the convenience of the speaker.
Local leaders, state leaders, Governors, U.S. Senators and Congressional Members, and the occasional Presidental candidate have made the Capital Tiger Bay Club a critical step—or misstep—in their pursuit of political power and influence.
Founding board members invited Democrats, Republicans, liberals and conservatives who shared a passion for politics. The club has never endorsed political candidates nor advocated a particular ideology. It has always welcomed groundbreaking ideas, passionate ideologues, and insightful discussions; the more outrageous, the better.
Irreverent humor, sharp introductions, and the occasional roasting of members and guests are the mark of a good meeting. If laughter is good medicine, then the members of the Capital Tiger Bay Club can expect to lead long lives.
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Six of the 7 Republican candidates running to succeed Neal Dunn as the congressman from Northwest Florida’s Second District debate the issues. It turns out the places where they agree far outnumber the places where they disagree.
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Marva Johnson ignited some controversy when she was being considered for the presidency of Florida A&M University. Her close ties to Governor DeSantis and other prominent GOP leaders were a problem for some on the school’s board of trustees. But during her Tiger Bay appearance, she argues having a good working relationship with the state’s existing power structure can only benefit the school.
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Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas believes one of the greatest impediments to the success of the state’s public school system is the influence of teachers’ unions. He unabashedly discusses that and what he sees as the need to encourage more school choice in the state.
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Leon County District 1 School Board Member Alva Smith is in favor of serious budget cutting and even school closings and consolidations to cope with student enrollment drops and funding reductions. She shares her thoughts with members of the Capital Tiger Bay Club.
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Capital Tiger Bay Club: Florida’s Wrongful Death Act with Attorneys Andrew S. Bolin, and Dana BrooksSecond Judicial Circuit Judge Terry Lewis moderated a panel discussion of wrongful death litigation, Florida tort reform and the seemingly endless battle between insurance companies and trial attorneys. Panelists for that lively conversation consisted of Tallahassee attorneys Andy Bolin and Dana Brooks, representing two perspectives on a complex issue.
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As assistant state attorney for Florida's Second Judicial Circuit, Georgia Cappleman has had many fascinating cases. But only the murder of Florida State University Law Professor Dan Markel and the intricate web of malice and revenge that led to his death lifted her to national prominence as the lead prosecutor. She shares many riveting tales of how that case has impacted her personal and professional life with Tiger Bay Club members.
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The steady ascendancy of the GOP in Florida over the past generation was explained by Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power and Executive Director Bill Helmich. Their discussion of the State of the Florida GOP included some redistricting math, what flipped Miami-Dade red and a prediction of a five-seat congressional pickup in Florida during the 2026 midterms.
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On September 18, 2025, the Capital Tiger Bay Club heard from former Florida Congressman David Jolly. His talk included multiple topics, such as affordability, school choice, public health and the future of Florida’s political landscape.
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First as a Florida state senator, then as a Palm Beach County state's attorney, Dave Aronberg fought long and hard against the so-called "pill mills" that indiscriminately dispenses dangerous opioids in Florida. Now, he's set his sights on exposing the many fraudulent "addiction recovery facilities" in the state. He shares that campaign with members of the Capital Tiger Bay Club.
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In a deeply red state, what can Florida Democrats do to remain politically relevant on both the state and national levels? POLITICO's Gary Fineout moderates a lively discussion on that score with panelists Beth Matuga, Ryan Ray, and Ashley Walker.