Peter Schorsch, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschDecember 8, 2018

Former police chief Jane Castor and businessman David Straz each unleashed a slate of endorsements from local associations and leaders Friday as the race to succeed Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn heats up. Castor’s crop included former police chiefs Steve Hogue and Bennie Holder, former assistant police chiefs Bob Guidara and Mary O’Connor as well as […]

Peter SchorschDecember 8, 2018

This may come as a surprise, but state lawmakers don’t have an innate understanding of the legislative process. After all, subjects like bill drafting and budgeting don’t come easy — and they aren’t known to rile a political crowd during campaign season. Legislative leadership hopes to remedy this problem next week through a series of […]

Peter SchorschDecember 8, 2018

Danny Burgess, a state Representative, is interviewing to become head of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, according to sources close to the Zephyrhills Republican and the Ron DeSantis transition team. Burgess, first elected in 2014, is a U.S. Army Reserve captain who has a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal, his House bio says. The […]

Peter SchorschDecember 5, 2018

Though she doesn’t officially take office for more than a month, Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried is already making a splash in the Capital, and laying out clear markers for both her nascent administration and her stewardship of the state Democratic Party — of which she is now, somewhat improbably, the de facto leader. Fried’s transition […]

Peter SchorschDecember 5, 2018

When good and deserved things happen to great people, we can all readily celebrate for them. We have one of those moments now, for one of the best-ever people in Florida’s political process – but it means he’ll be leaving the world of full-time Florida politics to head up to the national level. Long-time HCA executive […]

Peter SchorschDecember 4, 2018

The under-the-radar scrum to lead the Republican Party of Florida for the next two years is threatening to expose a growing fault line inside the incoming administration of Ron DeSantis. On one side is powerful Congressman Matt Gaetz … on the other is, well, most everyone else advising the Governor-elect. Gaetz is one of four co-chairs […]

Peter SchorschDecember 3, 2018

Ross Spano‘s path to Washington, D.C., has been anything but straightforward. The Dover Republican was first elected to the Florida Legislature after a closer-than-expected campaign that saw him label his opponent a “domestic terrorist.” Four years later, Spano was again facing a tough female opponent, so he went back to the familiar playbook, sending out a […]

Peter SchorschDecember 3, 2018

Chris Kise joining Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ transition team is sure to catch some flak from Florida Democrats. After all, he did represent former Andrew Gillum confidant Adam Corey. However, there’s a case to be made that it really is just another sign that DeSantis is serious about continuing to build a highly competent and capable […]

Peter SchorschNovember 26, 2018

Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics. First Shot While still more than a month away from officially taking office, Republican Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis is giving us a glimpse of his priorities and leadership style. Earlier today in Broward County — a trip coordinated to formally announce chief of […]

Peter SchorschNovember 26, 2018

Florida Democrats may not have gotten everything they wanted, but they still walked away with some noteworthy wins in the 2018 election. The most important among them: Nikki Fried scoring a narrow victory over former state Rep. Matt Caldwell in Agriculture Commissioner race. The former lobbyist was down by a handful of votes on Election […]

Peter Schorsch
A snippet of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party fundraising email Finance Chair Sue Whitman-Helfgot sent Monday.

Jane Castor, David Straz roll out dueling endorsements in Tampa mayor race

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Never too old to learn

Danny Burgess interviewing for Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Nikki Fried asserts herself as de facto leader of Florida Democrats

Personnel note: Bryan Anderson promoted to VP of Government Affairs at HCA

Team of rivals: Inside the early days of the Ron DeSantis transition

U.S. House leaders should refuse to seat Ross Spano

Adam Corey drama aside, Chris Kise is a slam dunk transition addition

Last Call for 11.26.18 — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics

Email insights: Florida Democrats forget their own history in flub-filled memo