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

Peter SchorschJuly 16, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Mark Rubio is under attack by a Libertarian-leaning group for his support of a bill that could be used to expand the federal government’s powers to monitor the Internet. Campaign for Liberty, a political action group founded by former Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, has launched an attack on the Florida Senator, […]

Peter SchorschJuly 15, 2015

As Florida Politics reported in April, an ongoing procurement process within the Department of Transportation over a contract worth hundreds of millions has taken some strange turns, including a $3.6 million settlement payment to a firm that was not only ranked third in a competitive bidding process, but also left the State of Florida in a lurch when it previously […]

Peter SchorschJuly 15, 2015

In what is already a contentious presidential contest, solar energy might actually become Florida’s hottest battleground in 2016. With the involvement of energy companies, environmentalists, and politicians – not to mention competing solar power constitutional amendments — nearly everyone in the Sunshine State will take a side. At the center of the debate is Tory Perfetti, […]

Peter SchorschJuly 14, 2015

The tumultuous, ultra-insider-y race to be speaker of the Florida House during the 2021-22 legislative sessions took another interesting turn Tuesday as Rep. Brad Drake confirmed to Florida Politics that he has withdrawn his pledge to support to Rep. Eric Eisnaugle. In de-pledging to Eisnaugle, once the unanimous choice of his classmates in the House to […]

Peter SchorschJuly 14, 2015

With media attention focused on who entered the GOP race for U.S. Senate next year, the man who did it first, Jacksonville U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, regained attention Tuesday. He said he raised more than $1 million in the second quarter of 2015, and now has more than $2 million in cash on hand. “I’m […]

Peter SchorschJuly 14, 2015

The ink was not even dry on the Florida Supreme Court’s landmark redistricting decision instructing state legislators to redraw Florida’s congressional districts before it was being suggested that the Legislature also revisit the (flawed) map of the state Senate districts. Redistricting experts (if there is such a thing), lawmakers, political consultants, and lobbyists have been buzzing for days now […]

Peter SchorschJuly 13, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court ruled last week that the state’s congressional maps don’t meet the requirements of a voter-approved constitutional amendment prohibiting political lines being drawn to favor incumbents or a political party. The court ordered the Legislature to draw the maps again. These are the 10 big questions now looming over the Florida political landscape: 1. […]

Peter SchorschJuly 13, 2015

Poor Adam Smith. Florida Politics is kicking his sad ass. And so is POLITICO. This is what happens when you get lazy and arrogant and base the twilight of your journalism career on tip-based journalism and oppo dumps. Unfortunately for the Tampa Bay Times, Smith’s indolence sometimes shows his ignorance. Consider today’s piece titled ‘Gwen Graham’s Future” […]

Peter SchorschJuly 13, 2015

Marco Rubio has raised more than $12 million for his White House bid, his campaign said. The Florida senator is one of an expected 17 Republican presidential candidates, and most of them are due to report their initial fundraising to federal regulators by Wednesday. Rubio also has the support of two outside groups that can […]

Peter SchorschJuly 13, 2015

A prominent Florida Tea Party chapter has split with the self-styled Tea Party Network of Florida, a result of the widening rift over a proposed solar power amendment to the state constitution in 2016. According to H. Sterling Burnett of Heartland.org, The Villages Tea Party has put “on notice” those who believe Tea Party groups […]

Peter Schorsch
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Marco Rubio blasted for “currying favor” of Sheldon Adelson with online gambling ban

A strange FDOT procurement process gets even squirrelier

Florida Hispanic leader calls Tory Perfetti to resign over anti-immigration statements

The race to be House Speaker in 2020-21 takes another interesting turn as Brad Drake de-pledges from Eric Eisnaugle

Ron DeSantis’ strong fundraising nets $1 million last quarter, with $2 million banked

Will Legislature take up the state Senate map, too?

10 big questions facing Florida politics in wake of the redistricting decision

Trolling Adam Smith

Marco Rubio campaign reports $12 million haul

Florida Tea Party groups split over support of solar energy amendment