Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

Republican Rep. Joe Gruters is kicking off his state Senate campaign with a May 31 fundraiser in Sarasota. The reception will be held at the home of Alicia “AJ” Janson at Laurel Oak Country Club from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Those looking to attend can send in an RSVP for themselves and a guest […]

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

According to newly filed compensation reports, the seven-member team at Dean Mead brought in up half a million dollars in lobbying fees during the first quarter of 2018. The first-quarter roster of French Brown, Michael Dobson, Peter Dunbar, Martha Edenfield, Brittany Finkbeiner, Michael Minton and Cari Roth were retained by 29 clients for legislative lobbying […]

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

The team at Colodny Fass brought in a bundle for the first three months of the year according to newly filed compensation reports. Median earnings for the 10-person team, headed by Michael Colodny, registered at $681,000 for its 34 legislative clients and 47 executive ones. Top-end figures show the firm brought in up to $960,000 in […]

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

Now that Palm Coast Republican Rep. Paul Renner has hit his signature requirements, all three lawmakers in line to be House Speaker have qualified for the ballot by petition. Petition requirements are pegged to 1 percent of the registered voters within a district, and in Renner’s case he needed 1,282 valid signatures to make the […]

Drew WilsonMay 22, 2018

Lobby firm Floridian Partners may have broken into the seven-figure club during the first three months of 2018. Recently filed compensation reports show the firm brought in at least $750,000 in pay for its legislative and executive lobbying efforts, though top-end estimates show it could have grossed up to $1.4 million during the 90-day reporting […]

Phil AmmannMay 22, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Connie Ennis is a new administrative assistant for the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee. On: Karina Pereira is a new legislative assistant for Fort Lauderdale Democratic Sen. Gary Farmer. On: Elise Minkoff is the new legislative assistant […]

Drew WilsonMay 21, 2018

University of Florida President Kent Fuchs said in an internal memo Monday that the flagship university is bringing aboard Mark Kaplan as its new vice president of government and community relations. “Mark comes to us as a proven leader with in-depth government and community relations expertise as well as strong experience at the state, national, […]

Peter SchorschMay 21, 2018

Heather DiGiacomo will be the Department of Juvenile Justice’s new chief of staff, effective July 2, Secretary Christina Daly announced in an internal email Monday. “Heather has also been a valuable member of the leadership team and was an instrumental part of the development and rollout of the Department’s ‘Roadmap to System Excellence,’ prior to her appointment as communications […]

Peter SchorschMay 21, 2018

The recent formation of two political committees by a handful of Senate Democrats is the latest, most indelible sign of a growing rift within the caucus — and yet the divide may be improving the minority party’s chances of retaking the chamber. In late April, Friends of Kevin Rader PC was established by David Ramba, […]

Drew WilsonMay 21, 2018

Capitol Alliance Group posted another strong quarter, reporting an estimated $425,000 in lobbying pay between New Year’s and March 31. The two-man shop run by Jeff Sharkey and Taylor Patrick Biehl showed median earnings of $215,000 in its legislative lobbying report and $210,000 in its executive one. Top-end estimates show the firm brought in up […]

Influence

Joe Gruters kicking off SD 23 campaign next week

Dean Mead rakes in up to $500K in first-quarter fees

Colodny Fass earns up to $960K in Legislative Session fees

Next three House Speakers make 2018 ballot by petition

Floridian Partners cracked $1M in first-quarter earnings

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Personnel note: UF taps Mark Kaplan for government relations VP

Personnel note: Heather DiGiacomo to chief of staff at DJJ

Schism divides Florida Senate Democrats, while improving their chances of winning in November

Capitol Alliance Group nets up to $610K in Q1 lobbying pay