Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jacob OglesOctober 21, 2018

An internal poll shows Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis holding a two-point edge over Democrat Andrew Gillum heading into a CNN debate Sunday evening. The new poll shows DeSantis at 47 percent, with Gillum at 45 percent and another 7 percent of voters unsure. A memo from Susie Wiles, DeSantis for Governor campaign chair, said […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 19, 2018

With early in-person voting beginning as early as Monday in parts of Florida, the two major party gubernatorial candidates believe they will turn out their base. On Friday afternoon, the campaign of Republican Ron DeSantis released its voter engagement numbers, which paint the picture of a campaign that found its moorings in recent weeks after a […]

Peter SchorschOctober 18, 2018

Comparing politics to horse racing is common, but unlike sports, where handicappers plunk down cash on the teams they think will win, political pundits can’t and don’t “bet” on whether such-and-such politician will win their election. There is one outlet that casts aside that professional norm. And that outlet is starting to consider playing the […]

Drew WilsonOctober 16, 2018

The Ron DeSantis campaign has added a plethora of high-power politicos for the closing weeks of the race for Florida Governor, including reinforcements in campaign communications and political consulting. Under the leadership of Susie Wiles, who helmed Donald Trump’s Florida campaign two years ago, Team DeSantis has added numerous campaign veterans. Wiles started bringing on […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 9, 2018

With four weeks before the primary, Republican gubernatorial nominee Ron DeSantis brought on yet another seasoned hand for his campaign’s stretch run. Florida Politics learned Monday evening that operative Tim Baker joined the campaign last week in a senior leadership role, offering strategic and political guidance. Baker, one of a series of recent staff moves in DeSantis […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2018

Roughly two years ago, veteran Jacksonville political operative Susie Wiles took the helm of the Donald Trump Florida campaign, guiding that effort to a slim but still meaningful win. On Wednesday, Florida Politics broke the news that Wiles will assume the chair of the Ron DeSantis campaign for Governor during the final stretch. The campaign confirmed the reporting early […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2018

Did the mayor’s office move toward a sale of Jacksonville’s utility before Council had a chance to weigh in? And what does that mean for the process going forward? A profound rift has emerged between Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and the City Council on the question of JEA privatization. And, say some Councilors, existential questions loom […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 17, 2018

On Friday, the federal government filed an indictment for the 13 Russian cyber-provocateurs of the Internet Research Agency. Per the indictment, the organization members collaborated “to interfere with elections and political processes.” Their MO: to exploit American assets and vulnerabilities, which were especially profound on the right. At least one of those operations had a specific […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 28, 2017

Two consecutive years have seen hurricanes strafe Duval County shorelines. And Jacksonville leadership wants $10 million in federal help. Last week, Jacksonville’s Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa emailed Susie Wiles, a City Hall veteran and Ballard Partners lobbyist who ran the stretch run of President Donald Trump‘s Florida campaign. The subject: getting federal movement on beach renourishment funds. […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 8, 2017

Jacksonville’s House District 12 will see a competitive election next November between incumbent Republican Clay Yarborough and Democrat Tim Yost. Clearly not taking re-election for granted, Rep. Yarborough posted his strongest total since June: $21,750 of new October lucre. Big Pharma was a well represented interest group; $3,500 came from drug companies, including Pfizer and Merck. Local […]

Tag: Susie Wiles

Ron DeSantis internal poll shows two-point lead over Andrew Gillum

Ron DeSantis, Andrew Gillum both confident in voter engagement

7 reasons why it’s silly to count out Ron DeSantis in the Florida Governor race

All hands on deck: Ron DeSantis campaign staffs up for final sprint

Ron DeSantis campaign brings in operative Tim Baker for final stretch

The takeover: Susie Wiles now in charge of Ron DeSantis campaign

Latest JEA sale revelations roil Jacksonville City Council

Gary Snow rally: Jacksonville’s connection to Russian election interference indictment

Jacksonville seeks $10M from feds for beach renourishment

Cash gap spreads in HD 12 clash