Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschNovember 14, 2018

Carol Gormley, a veteran legislative staffer, will be chief of staff to incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva, according to an email sent to members by the Speaker’s Office on Wednesday. Gormley is a highly-regarded health care policy expert who has worked for both Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio. She’s not a household name outside of Tallahassee, […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 14, 2018

State Sen. David Simmons is primed to be the upper chamber’s second-in-command during the 2019 and 2020 Legislative Sessions. Senate President-elect Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, on Wednesday announced his selection of the Longwood Republican to fill the role. The Senate is expected to approve Simmons’ appointment on Tuesday, when the chamber meets for Organizational […]

Phil AmmannNovember 14, 2018

A veteran of one of Florida’s most influential policy groups is going national. Chris Hudson, state director for Americans For Prosperity-Florida, will now become AFP’s vice president of State Government Affairs. Hudson has been the group’s top Florida operative since 2014. Skylar Zander, AFP-FL’s deputy director and chief legislative architect will become interim state director. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 14, 2018

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority tapped RSA Consulting and Suskey Consulting to manage its state-level lobbying now that the agency is under new leadership and focuses more on regional transit. The firms will try to draw down recurring state funding for the agency’s operations and identify funding for the proposed 42-mile bus rapid transit route connecting […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 13, 2018

Online retail giant Amazon won’t be setting up its new headquarters in any Florida city. Why? Equality Florida is pointing to the absence of statewide non-discrimination policies for the LGBTQ community. Under current state law, it’s still legal to discriminate against LGBT individuals in employment, housing and public accommodations. Statewide civil rights protections — provided […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2018

When Hurricane Michael ripped through our state last month as the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States, it left a trail of destruction and devastation in its path. Unlike Hurricane Irma last year, this storm hit predominantly rural areas, leaving already resource-strained communities in a state of even greater […]

Staff ReportsNovember 13, 2018

Monday saw the transition team of Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis continue to take shape. Many of these names are familiar faces to those who have been around Florida politics. James Blair, who served since the summer as a senior adviser, will advise on policy. Blair was the mail vendor for the primary and general campaigns and was involved […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 12, 2018

For a second straight Legislative session, a Clay County Republican will be key to the budget process. Just as Sen. Rob Bradley chaired Senate Appropriations in 2018, chairing the powerful House Appropriations Committee is state Republican Rep. Travis Cummings of Orange Park. Cummings replaces former House budget chair Carlos Trujillo, who left the Legislature after being […]

Jim RosicaNovember 11, 2018

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Barry Richard, the veteran Tallahassee lawyer now representing Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Gillum during the gubernatorial vote recount, has taken a leave of absence from his law firm. That firm, Greenberg Traurig, adopted a leave policy for its lawyers taking on any matter “that might be controversial or disruptive,” Richard told Florida Politics Sunday […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 11, 2018

Newly-elected state Sen. Ed Hooper has a lot of plans for his term in office, but the first order of business is finding an office. While hunting for real estate is a necessary first detail, the Pinellas Republican is still laying the groundwork to implement some of his priorities. The former state Representative bested Democrat Amanda […]

Influence

Personnel note: Jose Oliva names Carol Gormley as chief of staff

David Simmons selected Senate President Pro Tempore

Personnel note: Chris Hudson moves up to AFP national post

TBARTA taps RSA Consulting, Suskey Consulting for first-ever lobbying contract

Snubbed by Amazon: Lack of LGBTQ protections hurt Florida, group says

Sarah Catalanotto, Laura Hampson: After hurricane, air medical services was rural lifesaver

Ron DeSantis transition team announces first round of staff hires

House budget chief Travis Cummings optimistic about Ron DeSantis era

Barry Richard—Andrew Gillum’s recount lawyer—takes leave from firm

After contentious election, Ed Hooper lays out Senate priorities