Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 28, 2015

David Bauerlein, in The Florida Times-Union, broke the story of Jacksonville’s lobbyists to represent the city in Tallahassee. An internal email from Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa delineates how Jacksonville’s strategy will unfold with Marty Fiorentino as the point man. “The mayor has decided to have Marty Fiorentino of the Fiorentino Group to become the lead […]

Peter SchorschDecember 28, 2015

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‘Tis the season, and the Legislature’s dubious Christmas present this year was moving up the 2016 Legislative Session two months from its usual March start date. We will no doubt have many gifts in store, besides the inevitable policy food fights, such as perhaps seeing some lawmakers in their ugly holiday sweaters (the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts […]

Peter SchorschNovember 17, 2015

Ballard Partners tops the compensation list for lobbying the Florida Legislature in the third quarter of 2015, bringing in $2.22 million, according to newly released compensation reports. Registered lobbying firms took in almost $32 million in fees — $31,775,000 to be (somewhat) exact — between July and September 2015 to represent clients in front of Florida […]

Peter SchorschOctober 30, 2015

Even though classic costumes such as witches, vampires and Frankenstein’s monster may have gone out of style and been replaced by superheroes and Star Wars characters, the Halloween spirit is alive and well. The Florida Department of Health said this week that the average American will eat 3.4 pounds of candy this weekend, and many kids will eat more than […]

Peter SchorschOctober 27, 2015

Monica Rodriguez of Ballard Partners was the 2013 co-champion of TallyMadness – the online voting competition to determine Florida’s best lobbyist. Here’s the file on Monica Rodriguez: Significant other? Children? Grand kids? Danielle, 10, and Olivia, 7. In 25 words or less, explain what you do. I help clients maneuver the intricacies of state and […]

Mitch PerryOctober 23, 2015

Sarasota County GOP Chairman Joe Gruters has been selected as the state chairman of Donald Trump‘s campaign in Florida. Susan Wiles, managing partner of the Jacksonville office of the lobbying group Ballard Partners, will serve as co-chairwoman. Wiles is perhaps best known for managing Rick Scott‘s successful 2010 campaign for governor. “My message is clearly resonating […]

Ryan RaySeptember 27, 2015

Southern Political Report, a glossy quarterly focused on insider aspects of Dixie politics, has ranked the top law and lobbying firms in each southern state for its newest issue. The top “small firms” (the magazine’s words, not ours) devoted to governmental affairs consulting in Florida were listed as follows: Ballard Partners Southern Strategy Group Capital City Consulting […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 17, 2015

For its newly launched Broward County office, lobbying firm Ballard Partners said Thursday it has hired government relations and fundraising expert Stephanie Grutman. Grutman brings more than 17 years of experience, which included being one of Politics Magazine’s most influential Democrats in Florida for 2009. She also spent four years as finance director of Senate […]

Ryan RayAugust 25, 2015

Lobbyist Brian Ballard is poised to expand his headquarters as a man about Tallahassee a few blocks over to Monroe Street, downtown’s main artery: As first reported in the Tallahassee Democrat, the Ballard Partners principal has a six-story office complex in the works. “We love being a part of the fine fabric of Tallahassee, where we have raised our family and […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

Florida Politics has learned that Jessica Baker, governmental consultant for Ballard Partners, has left the lobbying firm’s Jacksonville office to join the Lenny Curry administration, where she will be second in command in Intergovernmental Affairs under Ali Korman Shelton. Curry and his Chief Administrative Officer, Sam Mousa, were asked about the talk that had been circulating Tuesday morning. Answering […]

Tag: Ballard Partners
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

How the Fiorentino Group will lead Jacksonville lobbying efforts

The 12 Days of Christmas, as brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and politicos

Firms collect nearly $31 million during Q3 to lobby Florida Legislature

Halloween is brought you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

4th Floor Files talks with Monica Rodriguez about capitalism, adrenaline rush and Hakuna Matata

Joe Gruters to run Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in Florida

Big-time Tallahassee influence firms ranked in regional magazine

Personnel note: Stephanie Grutman joins Ballard Partners’ new Broward office

Brian Ballard unveils downtown Tallahassee redevelopment project

Personnel note: Jessica Baker joins Lenny Curry administration