Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonApril 3, 2017

Florida mega lobbyist Brian Ballard was added to the Republican National Committee’s finance leadership team, the party announced Monday. RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel and RNC Finance Chair Steve Wynn announced the pick along with a handful of other additions in a Monday press release. “I am delighted to announce the addition of these longtime friends […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2017

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Registered governmental affairs firms, representing virtually every industry in Florida, reported earning more than $31.75 million from October 1 to December 31 of 2016 to lobby the Florida Legislature. FloridaPolitics.com previously reported which firms made what, with Ballard Partners leading all firms in Q4 compensation. The 2016 Q4 numbers were down slightly from the 2015 Q4 numbers ($31.75 mil to […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 6, 2017

As legislators begin filing appropriations bills in Tallahassee, we are starting to get an idea what success (or failure) will look like for Northeast Florida this Session. Two of the more compelling requests last week came from Jacksonville Rep. Clay Yarborough, who filed a pair of bills totaling $10 million for the University of North Florida. House […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 31, 2017

Ballard Partners is extending its reach, announcing it is opening an office in Washington, D.C. Brian Ballard, the firm’s president, announced this week Ballard Partners has opened an office in the nation’s capital. The announcement comes just weeks after President Donald Trump, who Ballard supported, took the oath of office. “There is great enthusiasm with […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 17, 2017

This isn’t Brian Ballard’s first inauguration, but it will likely be one of his most memorable. Ballard, the president of Ballard Partners, is one of several Floridians expected to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration this week. And while his schedule is flush with lunches and galas, he’s most looking forward to the moment Trump takes the oath […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 17, 2017

When Jacksonville political consultant Susie Wiles signed on with the Donald Trump campaign, many locals — who thought it was the year of Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio — wondered what she was doing. Through March of 2016, Wiles was the sole high-profile Jacksonville Republican on the Trump train. Her role shifted, and she took control of the Sunshine State operation […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2017

Ballard Partners will continue its representation of daily fantasy sports (DFS) companies into 2017, according to lobbying registration records reviewed Monday. Brian Ballard and the lobbyists who work for him, including former state Rep. Chris Dorworth, have begun registering their representation for the 2017 Legislative Session, some effective as early as this week. Chief among those interests are DraftKings and FanDuel, the DFS giants who announced […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 2, 2017

Now that 2017 is all but upon us — after a tumultuous 2016 electorally — what’s next for Northeast Florida politics? One assurance: unlike in 2016, with a massive electoral turnover in the region’s Washington and Tallahassee delegations, as well as in both the state attorney and public defender offices, 2017 won’t see that. With […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 27, 2016

When 2016 kicked off, the world was different, and our political prognoses reflected those false assurances. We didn’t imagine President Donald Trump on a national level. We figured Hillary Clinton would end up taking on Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio in the general election. And we expected the rhetoric would sound like the previous two or three campaigns. Regarding #jaxpol, we had a pretty good […]

Peter SchorschDecember 23, 2016

The holidays are here. That means carols and cookies, brightly lit Christmas trees and twinkling menorahs, and nip of eggnog (or whatever seasonal cocktail tickles your fancy) to keep you warm at night. But the festive holiday season is also a chance for people to spend time with their family and friends, make resolutions for […]

Tag: Ballard Partners

Brian Ballard named regional vice-chair of RNC finance leadership team

Known unknowns: Trying to divine the real numbers in the lobbying compensation reports

UNF capital improvements among appropriations asks by northeast Florida lawmakers

Ballard Partners going national, opens D.C. office

Donald Trump inauguration a special moment for Brian Ballard

Susie Wiles, architect of Donald Trump’s Florida win, heads to D.C. for inauguration

Ballard Partners will continue repping daily fantasy sports sites

A.G. Gancarski’s 10 predictions for Jacksonville politics in 2017

A.G. Gancarski surveys the wreckage of his 2016 predictions

This holiday season brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations