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

Peter SchorschOctober 15, 2015

U.S. Rep. David Jolly’s campaign is claiming he is the victim of “dirty tricks and pettiness” from a rival Senate hopeful. Accusations came after an anonymous blog posted a video showing the Pinellas County Republican, his wife and a staffer rushing through security screening at Miami International Airport. It happened less than twenty-four hours after Jolly […]

Peter SchorschOctober 15, 2015

So much for Blaise’s Blunder… After a few hiccups and a barrage of negative attention from Florida’s political media, namely the Tampa Bay Times’ Adam Smith and, to a lesser extent, POLITICO Florida’s Marc Caputo, the Florida GOP’s Sunshine Summit will see at least twelve presidential candidates attend the event, while the Summit’s overall importance […]

Peter SchorschOctober 15, 2015

The latest waypoint in the 2016 race for president is Thursday, when the deadline arrives by midnight for candidates to tell federal regulators the details of how much they’ve raised for their campaigns — and how much they’ve spent on them. Many of the major White House hopefuls have already boasted about their recent fundraising […]

Peter SchorschOctober 14, 2015

Democrat Val Demings posted an impressive $160,000 in fundraising during the third quarter of her bid for Congress. Demings has only been in the race for Florida’s 10th Congressional district for 45 days. “My campaign for Congress is about economic equality and standing up for working families in Central Florida by investing in public education, improving our […]

Peter SchorschOctober 14, 2015

At 9 a.m. Wednesday, dozens of journalists with the Capital Press Corps and from around the state will converge on the Capitol’s 22nd floor for the annual Associated Press legislative planning session. It’s early this year because the 2016 Legislative Session also is early, starting Jan. 12 and not in March as usual. Years ago, actual “planning” of […]

Peter SchorschOctober 13, 2015

A “celebration of life” will be held for Fred Leonhardt, the longtime Republican lawyer-lobbyist and member of Florida’s GrayRobinson firm next week, the firm says. The service will be 11 a.m. Monday, at the First Presbyterian Church, 106 E. Church St. in downtown Orlando. There is also a visitation 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the Lee Fellowship Hall, also […]

Peter SchorschOctober 13, 2015

Ballard Partners today announced Justin Sayfie is joining the firm as the managing partner of the new Fort Lauderdale office. In addition to his role with Ballard Partners, Sayfie will continue to provide legal services exclusively at Sayfie Law Firm. From 1999 to 2001, Sayfie served as a top advisor to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. In his career as a […]

Peter SchorschOctober 10, 2015

Fred Leonhardt, a well-liked, longtime Republican lawyer-lobbyist and member of Florida’s GrayRobinson firm, has died. He was 65. The cause of death is an apparent heart attack, according to a statement from GrayRobinson. “Fred died in his home and we ask that you keep Fred and his family in your thoughts and prayers” said GrayRobinson founder, […]

Peter SchorschOctober 9, 2015

There is a particularly wicked scene in the Batman movie The Dark Knight when the Joker kills a mob boss, and then gives his three subordinates one half-broken pool cue – and basically tells them that to live, the other two have to die. Earlier this week, after I wrote that our company had one reporting position […]

Peter SchorschOctober 9, 2015

Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman began his return to public office in September with solid fundraising. On Friday, Norman’s campaign announced raising $84,000 for his inaugural month. “When we started this campaign, we reached out immediately to close friends and family for support,” Norman said in a prepared statement. “I’m incredibly humbled by the […]

Peter Schorsch

David Jolly campaign says Ron DeSantis consultant behind anonymous video attack

Maybe, just maybe, the media was too quick to criticize Blaise Ingoglia’s Sunshine Summit planning

Fresh details on ’16 fundraising arrive Thursday

Orlando area Congressional hopeful Val Demmings rakes in $160,000

Associated Press Day to kick off in Capitol

Fred Leonhardt services planned for next week

Justin Sayfie to lead Ballard Partners’ Ft. Lauderdale office

Republican lobbyist and community leader Fred Leonhardt passes away

A reporter’s job interview the latest sign of the decline of journalism (in Florida)

Jim Norman dominates Hillsborough County race with impressive first month fundraising