Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschNovember 26, 2018

Shane Strum will be Republican Ron DeSantis‘ chief of staff when he takes office in January, the Governor-elect announced Monday. “I am very pleased to announce that Shane is returning to public service and bringing his expertise to our administration,” said DeSantis in a prepared statement. “Having spent many years in both the private and public sector, […]

Peter SchorschNovember 15, 2018

At least four people are in the running to become Ron DeSantis‘ chief of staff: Kathy Mears, Scott Ross, Scott Parkinson, and Shane Strum, according to sources familiar with the interview process. DeSantis “has discussed the position with all four,” one source said during an interview in Orlando where dozens of Adams Streeters are meeting for […]

Peter SchorschJuly 17, 2018

Former Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold, who’s been with the governmental affairs firm Capital City Consulting since January 2017, now is the firm’s managing partner. He now oversees human resources, administrative employment, firm efficiencies and processes, and work load management, the lobbying concern said in a press release. “Our firm is growing rapidly and growth requires better organization, processes and human […]

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 […]

Scott PowersApril 17, 2018

Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio today announced he has hired Michael Needham, CEO of Heritage Action for America, as his new chief of staff. Needham fills a position vacated in late January when Rubio fired Clint Reed for violating policies “regarding proper relations between a supervisor and their subordinates.” Deputy Chief of Staff Jessica Fernandez […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 8, 2017

Reporters in the Jacksonville market got to know Brian Hughes in late 2014 and early 2015 when the Republican PR pro was handling the messaging for mayoral candidate Lenny Curry. Soon those reporters — or those who replaced the ones who moved on — will get to know Hughes in a new capacity as Curry’s chief of staff. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2017

Build Something That Lasts, the political committee linked to Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry both spent and raised money robustly in November. Checks cut were more interesting than deposits, which, by and large, came from the usual suspects. For the first time since August, Curry’s committee cleared six-figures, raking in $112,000. The committee has just under $475,000 […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2017

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry brought his political adviser into the administration Wednesday, naming Brian Hughes as his Chief of Staff. Hughes begins in his new position January 2, 2018. “To me and dozens of other elected officials, Brian Hughes has been a senior adviser on important matters of public policy and communications,” said Curry. “Working with me, Brian […]

Staff ReportsAugust 7, 2017

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Monday announced in a press release he had named Ryan West his new Chief of Staff, effective later this month, taking over for the retiring Robert “Budd” Kneip. “Ryan has been a trusted member of my team since day one, and there is no one better suited to serve as my […]

Staff ReportsAugust 4, 2017

Robert “Budd” Kneip, chief of staff to state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, will retire Aug. 31, the office announced Friday. Kneip will be retiring after nine years of public service, with “an announcement on the transition to a new Chief of Staff (to be) made in the coming days,” a press release said, suggesting that […]

Tag: chief of staff
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 3/4/25-Gov. Ron DeSantis talks with the media after giving the State of the State speech on the opening day of the 2025 Legislative Session, Tuesday at the Capitol in Tallahassee. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Ron DeSantis taps Shane Strum for chief of staff

Ron DeSantis vetting chief of staff candidates, including some familiar names

Personnel note: Jim Boxold named Capital City Consulting’s managing partner

Personnel note: Heather DiGiacomo to chief of staff at DJJ

Marco Rubio hires new chief of staff away from Heritage Action

‘He’s my guy’: Why the Brian Hughes hire made sense for Lenny Curry

$112K raised in November for Lenny Curry committee; new chief of staff gets paid

Brian Hughes, ‘bad boy of comms,’ to be Lenny Curry’s chief of staff

Personnel note: Ryan West named CFO’s chief of staff

Personnel note: Robert ‘Budd’ Kneip retires from CFO’s office