Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMarch 22, 2017

President Donald Trump‘s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, The Associated Press has learned. The work appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 9, 2017

Veteran lawmaker and lobbyist Dale Patchett is joining the Johnson & Blanton lobbying firm. “Dale Patchett brings an incredible history and perspective to our firm,” firm founder Jon Johnson said. “He has seen government operate from every angle as both an elected legislator and appointed official. He was Republican in Florida before it was fashionable […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2016

With establishment lobbyists now representing it, the medical marijuana cause appears to have become—grab your pearls—respectable. Florida for Care, the nonprofit organization that is advocating for “well-regulated” medicinal pot in the state, has hired Brecht Heuchan and The Mayernick Group to advocate for its interests. Heuchan, who says he voted against the medical marijuana constitutional amendment this November, has […]

Peter SchorschNovember 15, 2016

Six firms are in the running to be St. Petersburg’s lobbyist in Tallahassee. The contract, worth $50,000 last year, belonged to Peebles and Smith from Tallahassee. Its contract with the city expired Sept. 30 and the group has submitted a proposal to continue representing St. Pete. The five other firms who have responded to the city’s […]

Jim RosicaOctober 21, 2016

The Florida Commission on Ethics has approved an opinion that Tena Pate, former chair of the state’s parole panel, is not subject to the state’s two-year lobbying ban on high-level employees. Commissioners unanimously OK’d the staff-written advisory opinion at their Friday meeting. She did not appear. The document finds Pate would be banned from “representing persons or entities for compensation” before the Florida Commission […]

Phil AmmannOctober 13, 2016

GEO Group, the Boca Raton-based private prison corporation, recently hired three lobbying firms in Washington D.C. POLITICO Influence reports that this month, GEO brought on David Olander of Capitol Counsel for real estate investment trust tax issues; David Stewart and Ryan Robichaux of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings — former aides to Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions — to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 11, 2016

The Able Trust, which helps Floridians with disabilities find successful employment, recently beefed up its outside lobbying team. Karen Moore, chair of the Able Trust’s board of directors, confirmed Thursday that Matt Bryan, Andrea Reilly, and Woody Simmons will be the organization’s newest contract lobbyists. They will all be working under the direction of the Able Trust’s senior contract lobbyist, Mike Cusick, according to […]

Michael MolineSeptember 28, 2016

Will next year’s legislative battle over workers’ compensation rates prove so all-consuming that other state priorities starve for attention? Fears that it might emerged during the quarterly board meeting this week of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which wants the Legislature to clamp down on the assignment of benefits agreements blamed for driving up its own […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 26, 2016

Eric Edwards, the longtime Tallahassee-based legislative assistant to Republican state Sen. Don Gaetz, is joining U.S. Sugar Corporation’s in-house influence team, the company announced. His title will be Assistant Vice President of Governmental Affairs. “We have wanted to strengthen and expand our internal government relations operation for some time, and we have patiently searched for just the right […]

Staff ReportsJuly 26, 2016

Jennifer Wilson has joined Adams and Reese‘s Tampa office as a government affairs advisor, the firm said in a press release Tuesday. Wilson, a non-lawyer lobbyist, previously worked “as a top advisor and campaign manager for several Florida state senators and representatives,” including state Sens. Alan Hays, Jack Latvala and Tom Lee, and former Sen. Victor Crist, according to the […]

Tag: lobbying
Image via AP.

Paul Manafort had plan to benefit Vladamir Putin government

Personnel note: Dale Patchett moves to Johnson & Blanton

Implementation of medical marijuana amendment brings together unlikely allies

Six firms vie for City of St. Pete’s lobbying contract

State ethics panel OKs Tena Pate to lobby

Private prison firm GEO Group hires more lobbyists for D.C.

Personnel note: Able Trust hires new stable of lobbyists

Citizens Insurance fears being left in lurch during workers’ comp fight

Personnel note: Eric Edwards wins plum lobbying role with U.S. Sugar

Personnel note: Jennifer Wilson heads to Adams and Reese