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

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2015

The picture to the right is of the dock in front of the beach house where the Griswolds, er, the Schorsches are vacationing this week. This was supposed to be a recuperative, post-session retreat, and although it has been an enjoyable time here in St. Augustine, it feels like just a break before the next […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2015

Thursday, at the end of our story about Sen. Jack Latvala hiring uber fundraiser Meredith O’Rourke to raise money for his political committee, we noted that Ashley Ross had gone to work for Latvala’s rival, Joe Negron. Concurrent with our story, talk circulated that Ross had been fired from the Republican Party of Florida by Senate […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2015

So lawmakers are supposed to come back to Tallahassee on June 1. Sounds logical. The state constitution requires them to have a budget done by the end of the sixth month and what better time to get started than at its beginning? But there is this one itty bitty little problem: for the vast majority of members, […]

Peter SchorschMay 7, 2015

Locked in a fierce rivalry with fellow Republican Joe Negron to be the next president of the Florida Senate, Pinellas state Sen. Jack Latvala has hired top GOP fundraiser Meredith O’Rourke to shake trees for his Florida Leadership Committee. O’Rourke is the top fundraiser for Gov. Rick Scott and his political committee, Let’s Get To […]

Peter SchorschMay 5, 2015

This week’s news saw a few big-wig national Democrats step in and endorse Patrick Murphy. As one name after another lines up behind Murphy, one Democratic star still, longingly, remains silent. And we are going to take a guess why. Gwen Graham is exactly the kind of Democrat that should be holding hands with Mr. “Not-of-the-Very-Far-Left” Murphy. After all, […]

Peter SchorschMay 5, 2015

Earlier this week, several more high-falutin’ Democrats came out in support of Patrick Murphy and, with feigned dismay that surprised exactly no one, Alan Grayson cried foul. Predictably Grayson said, “Florida Democratic voters choose our party nominee, not out-of-touch party bosses sipping cognac in a smoke-filled room in Washington, D.C.,” he said. First, one has to […]

Peter SchorschMay 5, 2015

Unlike most state lawmakers — who are far better known in Tallahassee than they are back in districts that elected them — Rep. Matt Gaetz is a significant public figure in his Panhandle hometown. If his style of debate on the House floor didn’t already tip you off, the Shalimar Republican’s recent Tweet directed at Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner and […]

Peter SchorschMay 4, 2015

This week’s news saw a few big-wig national Democrats step in and endorse Patrick Murphy. As one name after another lines up behind Murphy, one Democratic star still, longingly, remains silent. And we are going to take a guess why. Gwen Graham is exactly the kind of Democrat that should be holding hands with Mr. […]

Peter SchorschMay 4, 2015

Just for sh*ts and giggles, I wanted to see who’s behind the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida. When you go to its website you see the names of several people who have sort of been around, the kind you think you may have heard their name, but just aren’t sure. Also on the website is this release: “The Progressive Choice for […]

Peter SchorschMay 4, 2015

After batting only .400 in 2014 with my five “bold” political predictions, my goal for 2015 was has to improve my political prognosticating. How is this goal coming along? Weeellllll, some of my predictions appear to be in better shape than others. And now that we are past the 2015 Legislative Session, I thought it appropriate to check […]

Peter Schorsch

Takeaways from Tallahassee, er, St. Augustine

From the Not News Dep’t: Ashley Ross wasn’t fired

June 1 is ‘Risky Business’ for lawmakers

Jack Latvala hires top fundraiser Meredith O’Rourke as race for Senate Presidency remains deadlocked

Peter Schorsch: Why Gwen Graham might be biding her time before endorsing Patrick Murphy

On Alan Grayson’s main squeeze

Matt Gaetz also a bully in his legislative district, says Okaloosa County Commissioner

The courtship of Gwen Graham

The hypocrisy of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida

Checking in on my 5 “bold” predictions for 2015