Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2016

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; the band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, and somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; but there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out. Mudville, in this case, is Tallahassee. And Casey is a stand-in for […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 29, 2016

Former state Sen. Mike Haridopolos is considering a possible return to the Florida Senate, according to two current members of the chamber’s leadership team who have discussed a possible campaign with him. The Merritt Island Republican is eyeing Senate District 17, currently held by Thad Altman, a Rockledge Republican who is term-limited. But that seat is also being […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

A lawyer for lobbyist Frank Tsamoutales on Wednesday said former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos‘ countersuit in an ongoing breach of contract dispute is “baseless.” “It is just sad and disappointing that after having been treated for years with nothing but kindness and generosity that Mike Haridopolos is now making these baseless claims for money he did […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2016

The day after lobbyist Frank Tsamoutales sued former Senate President Mike Haridopolos for fraud and breach of contract, Haridopolos shot back with his own lawsuit, saying Tsamoutales never paid him. Haridopolos filed his own breach of contract claim Tuesday in Brevard Circuit Civil Court; the former senator lives in Merritt Island. He served as President in 2010-12 and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate, ending his campaign […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2016

Longtime lobbyist Frank Tsamoutales has filed suit against former Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who until recently worked for him, saying the ex-politician committed fraud and breach of contract by “trading on his former political positions to receive large sums of money” instead of “performing meaningful work,” according to a complaint. Haridopolos called the suit “laughable,” saying […]

Peter SchorschDecember 17, 2015

As much as we would like to think otherwise, in politics, not everyone can be a winner. To put it another way, as Judge Smails did in the eminently quotable “Caddyshack”: “The world needs ditch-diggers, too.” Few will disagree that 2015 was a particularly fertile political year, one that produced a bumper crop of political disappointments. That’s what […]

Peter SchorschDecember 17, 2015

As much as we would like to think otherwise, in politics, not everyone can be a winner. To put it another way, as Judge Smails did in the eminently quotable Caddyshack: “The world needs ditch-diggers, too.” Few will disagree that 2015 was a particularly fertile political year, one that produced a bumper crop of political disappointments – that’s what we get […]

Jim RosicaDecember 2, 2015

Richard Corcoran, who will be Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives at the same time Joe Negron is Senate President, called him a “good friend” and “an intelligent and principled leader.” Corcoran sat in the front row at Negron’s designation ceremony Wednesday. The Land O’ Lakes Republican had his own designation ceremony in September. “I […]

Peter SchorschOctober 7, 2015

Toby Philpot is leaving his chief of staff role at the Florida Lottery to take the same position at the Agency for Health Care Administration, according to AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek. Dudek announced the move in a departmental email on Wednesday. He replaces Jennifer Ungru, who left AHCA to become a “corporate affairs advisor” for Jones Walker […]

Ryan RayAugust 12, 2015

Tsamoutales Strategies – the three-lobbyist firm where former Senate President Mike Haridopolos plies his trade – collected $180,000 in fees between April 1 and June 30, according to recently submitted compensation reports. The U.S. arm of Spain-based company Abengoa Water anchored the firm’s client list, contributing between $30,000 – $39,999 for both legislative and executive lobbying […]

Tag: Mike Haridopolos

Peter Schorsch: No joy in Mudville, the Legislature struck out

Is Mike Haridopolos eyeing return to Florida Senate?

Mike Haridopolos “sad and disappointing,” Frank Tsamoutales’ lawyer says

Don’t blink: Now Mike Haridopolos is suing Frank Tsamoutales

In war of words, Frank Tsamoutales sues Mike Haridopolos first

Peter Schorsch: The 5 most disappointing Florida politicians of 2015

The 5 most disappointing Florida politicians of 2015

Richard Corcoran promises blue skies with Joe Negron

Toby Philpot leaves Lottery for AHCA

Tsamoutales Strategies takes in $180K in Q2 lobbying fees