Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 5, 2016

One of the largest and most prestigious law firms in Florida is merging with former House Speaker Dean Cannon’s governmental affairs firm. GrayRobinson P.A. announced the merger with Tallahassee’s Capitol Insight on Thursday. The terms were confidential. The deal creates the third-largest influence shop in Florida, according to the state’s directory of registered lobbyists. “The merger blends the political influence of […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2016

Tallahassee attorney Tim Cerio, former general counsel to Gov. Rick Scott, is returning to the GrayRobinson law firm, according to a Wednesday news release. Cerio, who rejoins the firm as a shareholder, will practice “regulatory and health care law; administrative law, including representation of clients in regulatory, administrative and quasi-judicial proceedings; and complex litigation in state and […]

Scott PowersJanuary 13, 2016

Longtime Orlando-based lobbyist, attorney and political fundraiser Fred Leonhardt‘s October death was an accident caused by an inhalant drug, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday by the District 9 Office of the Medical Examiner. Leonhardt, who was 65, died in his home on Oct. 10 of what initially was reported as a probable heart […]

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 […]

Drew WilsonNovember 10, 2015

October campaign finance reports put Republican candidates Donnie Horner and Sheri Treadwell firmly ahead of the competition in the six-way primary battle for House District 11. Treadwell raised the most money last month, with $10,290 in contributions and only $50 in expenditures. Heading into November, the former Duval County Supervisor of Elections employee had just […]

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Even though classic costumes such as witches, vampires and Frankenstein’s monster may have gone out of style and been replaced by superheroes and Star Wars characters, the Halloween spirit is alive and well.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 […]

Jim RosicaOctober 10, 2015

Fred Leonhardt‘s law firm said the 65-year-old died at home “of an apparent heart attack,” according to a Saturday afternoon press release. Leonhardt, a longtime lawyer-lobbyist, was based in Orlando but was well-known in Tallahassee. (A post from earlier today on his passing is here.) “We ask that you keep Fred and his family in your […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschAugust 30, 2015

Starting in September, Florida’s Department of Health will be under new leadership. Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong announced the promotion of Alexis Lambert to Chief of Staff, moving Jennifer Tschetter to Chief Operating Officer, and Nathan Dunn will become Deputy Chief Operating Officer. All three appointments begin September 11. “Leadership excellence remains a hallmark of […]

Peter SchorschMay 27, 2015

Registered governmental affairs firms, representing virtually every industry in Florida, reported earning slightly more than $35 million from January 1 to March 31 of this year to lobby the Florida Legislature. FloridaPolitics.com previously reported which firms made what, with Southern Strategy Group leading all firms with $2.25 million in Q1 compensation. Crunching the numbers, here are a […]

Tag: GrayRobinson
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

GrayRobinson merges with Dean Cannon’s Capitol Insight lobbying firm

Tim Cerio rejoining GrayRobinson law firm

Autopsy: Lobbyist Fred Leonhardt death accidental from inhalant drug

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

October fundraising puts GOP HD 11 candidates ahead of the pack

Halloween is brought you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

Fred Leonhardt died of apparent heart attack, firm says

Big-time Tallahassee influence firms ranked in regional magazine

Florida Dept. of Health unveiling new leadership team; Alexis Lambert named Chief of Staff

Crunching the numbers from the most recent lobbying compensation reports