Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschNovember 14, 2018

Carol Gormley, a veteran legislative staffer, will be chief of staff to incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva, according to an email sent to members by the Speaker’s Office on Wednesday. Gormley is a highly-regarded health care policy expert who has worked for both Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio. She’s not a household name outside of Tallahassee, […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 8, 2018

Governor-elect Ron DeSantis rolled out his transition team chairs Wednesday, and interesting names abounded. Congressman Matt Gaetz, an unstinting DeSantis advocate from the time he launched his campaign, will fill one of the slots. Outgoing House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who originally backed Adam Putnam in the primaries before mending fences after August, will fill another spot. Two more spots […]

Staff ReportsOctober 20, 2018

The Republican State Leadership Committee, a national group that works to elect GOP candidates to state legislatures, recently recognized Land O’ Lakes Republican Ardian Zika in its “18 in ’18 Races to Watch” List. Zika, a first-time candidate for public office, is the Republican nominee in House District 37. The Pasco County-based seat is currently […]

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2018

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Jeremiah Hawkes, formerly a top official under Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, is now general counsel of the Florida Senate, its spokeswoman said Friday. Hawkes, who started Monday, will be paid $135,000 a year. He replaces Dawn Roberts, who served as the Senate’s top lawyer under outgoing Senate President Joe Negron. Roberts is returning to her […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 24, 2018

James Blair, a close advisor to House Speaker Richard Corcoran, is the next member of the board overseeing Enterprise Florida. Corcoran appointed Blair, who’s long served as his political right-hand man, to the board of directors for Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state’s economic development organization. The appointment, effective Oct. 1, “is a great honor,” Blair said in […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 20, 2018

Republican nominee for Governor Ron DeSantis rolled out an education policy this week that wasn’t too different from that of dispatched primary rival Adam Putnam, with emphasis on school choice (charter schools) and vocational training. As yet another signal of DeSantis being embraced by establishment Republicans, his campaign on Thursday rolled out a list of endorsements for his […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 19, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran weighed on the race for seat he’s vacating in the fall, offering his endorsement to Land O’ Lakes businessman Ardian Zika. “I’ve long admired Ardian Zika’s service and commitment to Pasco County and Florida,” Corcoran said Wednesday. “Ardian and I share the priorities of faith and family and I am grateful […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 15, 2018

It was only a few months ago that House Speaker Richard Corcoran was one of the most prominent backers of Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam‘s bid for Governor. After Corcoran decided that there was no path to victory for him against Putnam and Ron DeSantis, he endorsed Putnam. After opting not to run for the Governor’s Mansion, it took […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 14, 2018

Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva will take over chairmanship of the Public Integrity and Ethics Committee “to investigate the misuse of funds by the University of Central Florida,” term-limited Speaker Richard Corcoran announced Friday. The university’s chief financial officer, William Merck, stepped down Thursday after an audit revealed the school improperly used $38 million in state […]

Drew WilsonAugust 28, 2018

Three Republicans competed in the primary to succeed exiting House Speaker Richard Corcoran in Pasco County’s House District 37, and with the election in the books, Land O’ Lakes businessman Ardian Zika earned the nomination. With 35 of 36 precincts reporting, Zika led his closest opponent, Elle Rudisill, 57-26 percent. The third Republican vying for the […]

Tag: Richard Corcoran

Personnel note: Jose Oliva names Carol Gormley as chief of staff

Richard Corcoran, Matt Gaetz among Ron DeSantis transition team chairs

GOP group names Ardian Zika an up-and-comer to watch

Personnel note: Jeremiah Hawkes now state Senate’s top lawyer

Personnel note: James Blair named to Enterprise Florida board

Jeb Bush, Richard Corcoran laud Ron DeSantis’ education policy

Richard Corcoran backs Ardian Zika as his successor in HD 37

‘The primary is behind us’: Richard Corcoran now backing Ron DeSantis

Jose Oliva to lead investigation of misspent state money at UCF

Ardian Zika secures HD 37 Republican nomination with ease