Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMay 11, 2016

Corey Staniscia bounced between his loves of sports, music and politics while a student at the University of South Florida and immediately after graduation. But his love of politics ultimately won out and led him to jobs first as a legislative aide to George Moraitis and then as his campaign manager for his re-election efforts. […]

Peter SchorschMay 11, 2016

University of Florida grad Collin Thompson started working his way up the ladder in college, but it was his job as a field organizer for Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s re-election campaign that got him some notice by political observers. He’s now managing former Sarasota Republican Rep. Doug Holder’s bid for state Senate. Here’s Thompson in […]

Peter SchorschMay 10, 2016

Claire VanSusteren is the story of the intern ‘done good.’ After interning for Sachs Media Group while a student at Florida State, she was hired by the Tallahassee media firm right after she graduated college. From the start of her time at the firm, she worked with the ground Lauren’s Kids, which advocates for awareness […]

Peter SchorschMay 10, 2016

As a member of the powerful Duda agriculture family, Emily Duda Buckley grew up at the intersection of farming and politics. Buckley, a 2013 Florida State alumna, is taking over the lobbying efforts for her family’s business while also representing a host of other clients for the firm Jones Walker. Here’s Duda Buckley in her […]

Peter SchorschMay 10, 2016

Josh Gabel only graduated from Florida State University in 2014, but he’s already racking up campaign experience, working on both Gov. Rick Scott’s re-election campaign and Lenny Curry’s Jacksonville mayoral race. But he decided to hang up his campaign hat this past year in exchange for a new role at the Tallahassee-based TaxWatch. Here’s Gabel […]

Peter SchorschMay 10, 2016

Jordan Elsbury was coming up through the ranks of Louisiana politics when he took a chance on Lenny Curry’s 2015 campaign for mayor of Jacksonville. The move worked out for the Southeastern Louisiana University grad who stayed on to work for the administration, first as director of appointments and now in intergovernmental affairs. Here’s Elsbury […]

Peter SchorschMay 10, 2016

Dustin Daniels has enjoyed quite a ride over the last few years, going from the position of student government president at FSU to chief of staff for Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. In addition to his role in the mayor’s office, Daniels sits on the Board of Directors for the Challenger Learning Center and the Board […]

Peter SchorschMay 10, 2016

Brittney Hunt grew up interested in politics and government, but didn’t consider lobbying until graduate school. Now, she’s with the powerhouse Florida Chamber working on education and health care issues. Here’s Hunt in her own words. I am (age) … 28 years old. I live in … Tallahassee, Florida. — believe it or not, I […]

Peter SchorschMay 10, 2016

Matthew Hunter is a die-hard Florida State fan and got his first taste of public affairs working in the press office at the University while in college. But he got his real start in the political process by working for state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, a Fort Myers Republican, who he still works for today. Here’s […]

Peter SchorschMay 10, 2016

McKinley Lewis is in the rare position of being the head communicator for an entire state agency — the Department of Corrections. Just a few years ago, he was working as an intern for the Tallahassee-based public relations firm Core Message. Here’s Lewis in his own words. I am (age) … 24. I live in […]

Tag: 30 Under 30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet Corey Staniscia — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet Collin Thompson — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet Claire VanSusteren — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet Emily Duda Buckley — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet Josh Gabel — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet Jordan Elsbury — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet Dustin Daniels — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet Brittney Hunt — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet Matthew Hunter — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics

Meet McKinley Lewis — One of the 30-under-30 rising stars of Florida Politics