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

Peter SchorschFebruary 13, 2017

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry, Jim Rosica, and Scott Powers. JEFF ATWATER’S SURPRISE DEPARTURE MAKES CFO JOB THE HOTTEST IN THE STATE Never mind who’s running for Governor in 2018, Floridians want to know which Republicans are in the running for […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 12, 2017

After prematurely floating the idea of running for Florida governor in 2018, state Sen. Jack Latvala saw his gubernatorial prospects impacted by the decisions of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney. On Friday, Atwater announced that he was resigning to take a job at Florida Atlantic University. It will be up to Gov. Rick Scott […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 11, 2017

The topic of, dare we say, urination rarely comes up in legislative committee meetings in the Capitol. But there it was, most surprisingly, being mentioned by a gambling expert Thursday in a discussion on slot machines. The House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee was having a panel discussion on slots, first hearing from Natasha Dow […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 10, 2017

Following a report from the Tampa Bay Times’ Craig Pittman regarding the sinkhole that opened up on Mosaic Fertilizer’s property in late 2016, the company sent out a scathing rebuke to media alleging Pittman “continues to provide a platform for false information.” In the report, Pittman interviewed Don Rice, a former hydrologist from the U.S. Geological Survey, who alleges the […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 10, 2017

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica. FIRST IN SUNBURN – SCOTT SHALLEY TO BE NAMED NEW PRESIDENT/CEO OF FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION – Look for the Florida Retail Federation to announce the hire of Scott Shalley to replace Randy Miller, who […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 9, 2017

Democrats could be in for more election woes in 2018, according to a new post from political blog Sabato’s Crystal Ball. In the post, author Kyle Kondik gives a rundown of the 2016 cycle’s “crossover” congressional seats – districts that voted for one party on the congressional level, and another for president. There were 26 such […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 9, 2017

Florida’s effort to create statewide anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity received a substantial boost. On Thursday, Tallahassee tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Rick Kearney gave $100,000 to Florida Competes, the coalition of businesses working to pass the Florida Competitive Workforce Act. Kearney’s check is the largest single donation to Florida Competes so […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 8, 2017

Four-term state Rep. Ben Albritton is launching a bid for Florida Senate. Albritton, the Wauchula Republican who represents House District 56, filed Wednesday for the Senate District 26 seat. SD 26 covers a wide swath of Central Florida from Charlotte and Glades counties through southern Polk County. Currently holding the seat is Denise Grimsley, the Lake Placid Republican […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 8, 2017

National Republicans, in an effort to boost their majority for the midterms, are targeting top House Democrats over the next two years – including Florida’s Charlie Crist and Stephanie Murphy. POLITICO first reported on the list of 36 lawmakers coming from the National Republican Congressional Committee, with a particular focus on “blue-collar parts of the […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 8, 2017

Florida sugar workers are the latest to come out strongly against Joe Negron’s Senate proposal to create a $2.4-billion, 60,000-acre reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee for Everglades water storage. In a joint letter sent Wednesday from Sugar Labor Management Committee, IAMAW District 166, Florida State Council of Machinists, and Local 2152 (Osceola & Okeelanta), union […]

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

Sunburn for 2.13.17 – Jeff Atwater’s bombshell; the case vs. Tom Grady; Gus Bilirakis gets an earful; Tim Tebow goes to a prom

How decisions by Jeff Atwater, Francis Rooney impact Jack Latvala’s gubernatorial prospects

Takeaways from Tallahassee — In The Zone

Mosaic pushes back hard against Tampa Bay Times over sinkhole reporting

Sunburn for 2.10.17 – New Fla. Retail Fed. prez; Bill Nelson primaried? Jeff Atwater’s win; Rick Kearney antes up

Florida ‘crossover’ congressional districts give Democrats glimmer of hope in 2018

Tallahassee entrepreneur Rick Kearney boosts Florida Competes campaign with $100K

Ben Albritton launches campaign for Denise Grimsley’s Senate seat

Charlie Crist, Stephanie Murphy among top GOP targets for 2018

Florida Sugar Union blasts Joe Negron’s ‘job killing’ Lake O reservoir plan