Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonDecember 5, 2018

Incoming Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried announced her inaugural committee Wednesday, with political consultant Ben Pollara and Jenni Shaffren — Fried’s sister — tapped to serve as committee co-chairs. Pollara was a senior adviser to Fried’s campaign and served as the campaign manager of the successful 2016 ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana in the Sunshine […]

Peter SchorschDecember 5, 2018

When good and deserved things happen to great people, we can all readily celebrate for them. We have one of those moments now, for one of the best-ever people in Florida’s political process – but it means he’ll be leaving the world of full-time Florida politics to head up to the national level. Long-time HCA executive […]

Staff ReportsDecember 5, 2018

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Jo Morris, formerly Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), is joining the Tallahassee lobbying firm of PinPoint Results. Morris’ first day on the job is Wednesday. “We are thrilled to have someone of Jo’s caliber and broad range of experience join our team,” said Robert Beck, President of PinPoint […]

Phil AmmannDecember 5, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round in the Florida Senate. Off and on: Andrew Liebert and Jae Williams became legislative assistants, and Karen Whaley became district secretary for Republican Sen. Ben Albritton of Bartow. Williams previously worked for former Sen. Denise Grimsley. Whaley worked with […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2018

Updated noon Tuesday: The judge dismissed the case. Original post: A write-in candidate for Governor who got six votes statewide in November is now challenging Republican Ron DeSantis‘ election. Palm Beach Circuit Judge Meenu Sasser set an emergency hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday after receiving a complaint, apparently handwritten in black marker, from Piotr Blass, […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2018

Late last week, state Sen. Travis Hutson honored his colleague, the late Sen. Dorothy Hukill, by introducing legislation that would help Florida students gain financial literacy. The St. Johns County Republican filed SB 114, which would “amend Florida Statute to require all students entering the 9th grade beginning in the 2019-2020 school year complete one-half credit dedicated […]

Scott PowersDecember 4, 2018

Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel calls his office “America’s Finest Elections Team,” and it has national awards to back him up. Now he may be in the running to become the state’s top elections official. Rumors have been swirling since Election Day that Ertel, a Republican who regularly voices a passion for voters’ […]

Drew WilsonDecember 3, 2018

The Florida Coalition of School Board Members, a conservative-leaning org that champions fiscally responsible school board members, announced Monday that it has brought on a new president and director. FCSBM said Tina Descovich, the current chair of the Brevard County School Board, will take over for exiting president Bridget Ziegler. “I look forward to leading […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 3, 2018

Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis and future Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez are enlisting more than 40 policy experts, officeholders and private-industry leaders to help the incoming administration make sound agricultural and environmental policy decisions. DeSantis’ transition team unveiled its Advisory Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture on Monday. Leading the committee is Republican U.S. Rep. Brian […]

Guest AuthorDecember 3, 2018

It’s mind-boggling. In the midst of an ongoing opioid epidemic, why would anyone want to tie the hands of physicians who are working tirelessly to help patients break the cycle of addiction? That is exactly what is happening by the state of Florida and by some of the state’s largest insurance companies. Both are systematically […]

Influence
Image via AP.

Ben Pollara, Jenni Shaffren to chair Nikki Fried inaugural committee

Personnel note: Bryan Anderson promoted to VP of Government Affairs at HCA

Personnel note: Jo Morris joins PinPoint Results

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round (Senate version)

Judge tosses write-in candidate’s challenge of Ron DeSantis’ election as Governor

Fitting tribute: Travis Hutson honors Dorothy Hukill with financial literacy bill

Mike Ertel being discussed as Secretary of State under Ron DeSantis

Personnel note: School Board group announces new president, director

Brian Mast, Joe Negron will have Ron DeSantis’ attention on environment

Amit Vijapura: Florida needs to take this step to help fight opioid epidemic