Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 28, 2015

David Bauerlein, in The Florida Times-Union, broke the story of Jacksonville’s lobbyists to represent the city in Tallahassee. An internal email from Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa delineates how Jacksonville’s strategy will unfold with Marty Fiorentino as the point man. “The mayor has decided to have Marty Fiorentino of the Fiorentino Group to become the lead […]

Peter SchorschDecember 28, 2015

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‘Tis the season, and the Legislature’s dubious Christmas present this year was moving up the 2016 Legislative Session two months from its usual March start date. We will no doubt have many gifts in store, besides the inevitable policy food fights, such as perhaps seeing some lawmakers in their ugly holiday sweaters (the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts […]

Phil AmmannDecember 11, 2015

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without the highly awaited holiday greetings from Southern Strategy Group, Tallahassee’s foremost lobbying house. Every year, the SSG Christmas card offers a fun take on the year’s biggest political stories, something always guaranteed to bring a buzz – not to mention a few snickers – throughout Florida’s Capitol. And […]

Peter SchorschDecember 2, 2015

Florida may not always look a lot like Christmas, but that doesn’t mean Tampa Bay won’t have an abundance of holiday cheer. Known for its festive, politically timely Christmas Cards, Southern Strategy Group – Tallahassee’s leading lobbying house – is adding a more personal “jingle and mingle” this year with its inaugural Tampa Bay Christmas Party, […]

Peter SchorschNovember 26, 2015

corbellaWith all the talk of beleaguered immigrants seeking refuge in America, the true meaning of Thanksgiving is all too poignant this year. We’ve all seen the words “turkey” and “lobbyist” in the same sentence before. But, more than likely, this referred to the role of special interests in securing political pork for clients. Indeed, Florida’s […]

Phil AmmannNovember 18, 2015

Fatima Perez, most recently chief of staff for Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, will become the new state government affairs regional manager for Koch Companies Public Sector LLC. With more than 15 years’ experience in state government, Perez has been a senior adviser to former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and a senior legislative aide in […]

Peter SchorschNovember 17, 2015

Ballard Partners tops the compensation list for lobbying the Florida Legislature in the third quarter of 2015, bringing in $2.22 million, according to newly released compensation reports. Registered lobbying firms took in almost $32 million in fees — $31,775,000 to be (somewhat) exact — between July and September 2015 to represent clients in front of Florida […]

Jim RosicaNovember 16, 2015

Stacey Smelser Webb, a Tallahassee-based lobbyist with Southern Strategy Group, died Sunday. She was 46. Webb died after experiencing complications from recent heart surgery at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, said her husband, John Webb. Her firm issued a statement saying Webb “saw each new challenge as an opportunity to grow and learn.” “Although small in stature, she […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 21, 2015

One of the more positive developments, in terms of the revived effort to expand the Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance to LGBT members of the community, was the enlistment of Southern Strategy Group to lobby for the effort. As I wrote in my column for Folio Weekly, now on racks throughout Northeast Florida: I like a […]

Peter SchorschOctober 20, 2015

As a partner at Southern Strategy Group, Miami native Nelson Diaz maintains strong relationships with both the Florida Legislature and contacts in his home base of Miami-Dade County, and was recently chosen as chairman of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County. Previously, Diaz worked as chief legislative aide to former speaker of the Florida House, now-U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. […]

Tag: Southern Strategy Group

How the Fiorentino Group will lead Jacksonville lobbying efforts

The 12 Days of Christmas, as brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and politicos

Southern Strategy Group “trumps” the holidays with annual Christmas card

Southern Strategy Group sets holiday mood with first-ever Tampa Christmas Party

Thanksgiving, as brought to you by these lobbyists and political associations

Personnel note: Fatima Perez joins Koch Industries to lead regional state gov’t affairs

Firms collect nearly $31 million during Q3 to lobby Florida Legislature

Stacey Webb, admired Tallahassee lobbyist, dies after heart surgery

Southern Strategy Group no longer lobbying for Jax HRO

4th Floor Files talks with Nelson Diaz about his junk food addiction and dedication to kids in need