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

Peter SchorschJune 4, 2015

Jeb Bush is giving a strong indication that he’ll join the presidential campaign this month, tweeting that an announcement is coming on June 15. The former Florida governor, widely expected to run for the GOP nomination, tweeted “coming soon” with a link to the website jebannouncement.com. On that page, the date 06.15.15 was listed, followed […]

Peter SchorschJune 3, 2015

In a Columbia Journalism Review story about the demand for political reporters in Florida, the Naples Daily News Manny Garcia offers an eerily prescient quote about the hot-stove league nature of the state’s journalism. “You have to have a pipeline because sometimes you’re going to lose people,” Garcia told Susannah Nesmith. Why is this prescient? Well, because Garcia is about to lose one of […]

Peter SchorschJune 3, 2015

Leading Republican presidential prospects faced off at an event Tuesday at a GOP economic gathering hosted by Gov. Rick Scott that drew a half dozen White House hopefuls to a Disney World convention center. While Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio enjoyed a home field advantage, Tuesday’s speaking program also featured former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Wisconsin Gov. Scott […]

Peter SchorschJune 2, 2015

This week, the Florida Legislature reconvenes to complete its only constitutionally mandated job: close a multibillion-dollar budget gap. But that’s not the only business politicians have on their agenda. Under Florida law, legislators can schedule and hold political fundraisers up to the June 1 Special Session, when they (hopefully) approve a nearly $80 billion budget […]

Peter SchorschJune 1, 2015

Opening day of Special Session marks the end of fundraising for June for members of the Legislature, but as Matt Dixon of the Naples Daily News mentioned last week in his article, some members have been quite busy raising money. Case in point: Joe Negron‘s political committee is expected to post raising about $620,000 for the Treasure Coast […]

Peter SchorschJune 1, 2015

Summertime often sees a flurry of personnel moves in the world of government and politics. Continuing this occasional series, we update you on who’s in the Departure Lounge. — First up is the well-liked Amy Christian, formerly of lobbying powerhouse Johnson & Blanton, who, like her husband David, has left Tallahassee for Orlando. Christian has […]

Peter SchorschJune 1, 2015

Wilson & Associates LLC (W&A), a Tallahassee-based lobbying and association management firm specializing in the fields of energy, infrastructure, construction and defense, announced Monday that it’s expanding its team with the addition of Jennifer Hatfield as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. Hatfield, a lawyer and member of The Florida Bar, has more than 12 years of […]

Peter SchorschJune 1, 2015

With a looming deadline, Florida legislators return to the state Capitol this week promising to do what they couldn’t during the 60-day regular session that ended May, reports Gary Fineout of The Associated Press. That’s to pass a new state budget covering everything from money for schools and hospitals to paying for child abuse investigations. […]

Peter SchorschJune 1, 2015

When a lobbyist represents about 180 different clients, as Brian Ballard does, according to FloridaLobbyist.gov, it’s not unusual for a combination of clients to show up in the headlines of the day. However, on Friday an unusually high number of interests repped by Ballard Partners made their way into the news, making for a very interesting day […]

Peter SchorschMay 29, 2015

Recently, Airbus (yes, that Airbus) joined the ranks of companies vying to build Florida’s next-generation statewide law enforcement radio system. According to a letter recently sent from Airbus to the Florida Joint Task Force on the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System, the company is joining the chorus of calls for an open and competitive procurement for the […]

Peter Schorsch
Image via FPL.

Jeb Bush to announce presidential decision June 15 in Miami

Matt Dixon headed to POLITICO

Ten takeaways from Rick Scott’s presidential cattle call

The hypocrisy of Tom Lee: Senator fundraised before Special Session, counter to what he suggested

Joe Negron’s impressive June fundraising

In the Departure Lounge: Two lobbyists, two reporters, and a fundraiser

Personnel note: Jennifer Hatfield joins Tallahassee lobbying firm Wilson & Associates

Thoughts and prayers for Kathy Mears (Pam Bondi, too)

Brian Ballard’s interesting Friday

Another major corporation enters Florida’s state law enforcement radio fray