Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannSeptember 21, 2018

Referring to a dubious bank deposit from 2016, Republicans are blasting Democrat Andrew Gillum with a new website calling out his “lobbyist-fueled slush fund.” On Friday, the Republican Party of Florida launched ReleaseTheReceipts.com, a website that calls on the gubernatorial candidate — and front-runner in several polls — to “tell the truth about his luxury […]

Phil AmmannAugust 28, 2018

Senate President-designate Bill Galvano is cheering Ed Hooper on his victory in Senate District 16, which consists of parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties. Hooper, a former state legislator from Clearwater, handily defeated Palm Harbor restaurateur Leo Karruli in the Republican primary, 79 to 21 percent. “I would like to extend my congratulations to Ed Hooper tonight […]

Phil AmmannAugust 28, 2018

On Tuesday, election night parties will be held all over Florida. For some, it’s a chance to pop some champagne corks, celebrate and gear up for the general election. For others, it will be a somewhat more somber affair, the last hurrah of a long, hard-fought primary campaign. Want to party like a politician? Here’s […]

Phil AmmannAugust 28, 2018

On Tuesday, Election Night parties will be held all over Florida. For some, it’s a chance to pop some champagne corks, celebrate and gear up for the general election. For others, it will be a somewhat more somber affair, the last hurrah of a long, hard-fought primary campaign. Want to party like a politician? Here’s […]

Phil AmmannAugust 24, 2018

Early/mail vote results a precursor for the fall? Are Democrats still seeking to flood the voting booths and turn enough Congressional districts blue to win the House? Will vulnerable Democratic Senators be able to survive and flip a couple of Republican seats to gain control of that chamber as well? Lately, a Republican incumbent in […]

Phil AmmannJune 14, 2018

Ashley Moody is adding the endorsement of two more Florida sheriffs, now with 42 of 49 Republican sheriffs supporting the former Hillsborough County circuit judge as the state’s next Attorney General. New endorsers are Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and Sheriff Mike Williams of Jacksonville, according to an announcement Thursday from Moody’s campaign. “Judge Moody is the […]

Phil AmmannJune 11, 2018

Aakash-Patel-Hillsborough-County-Commission-candidate-District-1.jpg

Republican Aakash Patel has weighed his options for 2018 after incumbent Hillsborough County Commission Chair Sandy Murman decided to let a deadline pass without filing papers to resign from her District 1 seat. Patel’s decision? Run for the open District 7 seat in 2018 For just over a year, Patel has been running for District 1, filing […]

Phil AmmannJune 10, 2018

File this under womansplaining. Florida’s most influential gun advocate is countering reports that hundreds of people may have mistakenly received the state’s concealed weapons permits without proper background checks. “The media isn’t getting it right, and anti-gun Democrats don’t want to get it right,” says Unified Sportsmen of Florida Executive Director Marion Hammer, a past president […]

Phil AmmannJune 7, 2018

With rebranding and a host of upgrades, Tampa’s former Lowry Park Zoo is now adding a power player as its voice in Tallahassee. The newly christened ZooTampa at Lowry Park announced it is bringing on governmental relations firm Southern Strategy Group as a strategic partner. As one of the state’s most influential lobbying shops with locations across […]

Phil AmmannJune 5, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: George Fossett is no longer legislative assistant for Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Oscar Braynon. On: Lurimar Cruz-Cortes is a new legislative assistant for Kissimmee Democratic Sen. Victor Torres. Off: Lara Medley is […]

Phil Ammann
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

New GOP website blasts Andrew Gillum for ‘lobbyist slush fund’

Senate President-designate Bill Galvano congratulates Ed Hooper on big SD16 win

It’s not the party, it’s the after party: Where to find Tampa Bay candidates on Election Night

It’s not the party, it’s the after party: Where to find candidates on Election Night

Delegation for 8.24.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Jacksonville, Collier sheriffs latest to endorse Ashley Moody for AG

Aakash Patel now running for countywide seat on Hillsborough Commission

Calling it ‘political attack,’ NRA (wo)mansplains weapons permit snafu

ZooTampa continues makeover, tapping Southern Strategy Group for lobbying assist

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round