Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiNovember 10, 2018

Susie Wiles, campaign manager and transition team leader for Ron DeSantis, spoke to Florida Politics Saturday. She and the candidate are both in Jacksonville, not in Tallahassee at the recount headquarters, a seeming measure of the confidence the DeSantis campaign has about the recount going their way. In the gubernatorial race, DeSantis still leads Democrat Andrew […]

Staff ReportsNovember 9, 2018

Electing Ron DeSantis to the top office in the state (pending recount, that is) is a capital-g “Game Change” moment for Duval. DeSantis’ base is Jacksonville though he lives in Ponte Vedra. Everyone reading this knows that despite a county line, the money easily flows over borders. Pols from both Duval and Clay validated him, […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 8, 2018

While it can’t be argued that the support of President Donald Trump carried Ron DeSantis to what looks like a victory in the Governor’s race, there’s something no less important. Support from Northeast Florida. DeSantis, a Ponte Vedra Republican, represented the suburbs south of Jacksonville for two terms in Congress (a third term saw his district moved […]

Jacob OglesOctober 21, 2018

An internal poll shows Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis holding a two-point edge over Democrat Andrew Gillum heading into a CNN debate Sunday evening. The new poll shows DeSantis at 47 percent, with Gillum at 45 percent and another 7 percent of voters unsure. A memo from Susie Wiles, DeSantis for Governor campaign chair, said […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 19, 2018

With early in-person voting beginning as early as Monday in parts of Florida, the two major party gubernatorial candidates believe they will turn out their base. On Friday afternoon, the campaign of Republican Ron DeSantis released its voter engagement numbers, which paint the picture of a campaign that found its moorings in recent weeks after a […]

Peter SchorschOctober 18, 2018

Comparing politics to horse racing is common, but unlike sports, where handicappers plunk down cash on the teams they think will win, political pundits can’t and don’t “bet” on whether such-and-such politician will win their election. There is one outlet that casts aside that professional norm. And that outlet is starting to consider playing the […]

Drew WilsonOctober 16, 2018

The Ron DeSantis campaign has added a plethora of high-power politicos for the closing weeks of the race for Florida Governor, including reinforcements in campaign communications and political consulting. Under the leadership of Susie Wiles, who helmed Donald Trump’s Florida campaign two years ago, Team DeSantis has added numerous campaign veterans. Wiles started bringing on […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 9, 2018

With four weeks before the primary, Republican gubernatorial nominee Ron DeSantis brought on yet another seasoned hand for his campaign’s stretch run. Florida Politics learned Monday evening that operative Tim Baker joined the campaign last week in a senior leadership role, offering strategic and political guidance. Baker, one of a series of recent staff moves in DeSantis […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2018

Roughly two years ago, veteran Jacksonville political operative Susie Wiles took the helm of the Donald Trump Florida campaign, guiding that effort to a slim but still meaningful win. On Wednesday, Florida Politics broke the news that Wiles will assume the chair of the Ron DeSantis campaign for Governor during the final stretch. The campaign confirmed the reporting early […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2018

Did the mayor’s office move toward a sale of Jacksonville’s utility before Council had a chance to weigh in? And what does that mean for the process going forward? A profound rift has emerged between Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and the City Council on the question of JEA privatization. And, say some Councilors, existential questions loom […]

Tag: Susie Wiles

‘Busy day for lawyers’: Susie Wiles talks Ron DeSantis’ recount

Jacksonville Bold for 11.9.18 — Game change

Northeast Florida made Ron DeSantis happen, and its payoff is coming

Ron DeSantis internal poll shows two-point lead over Andrew Gillum

Ron DeSantis, Andrew Gillum both confident in voter engagement

7 reasons why it’s silly to count out Ron DeSantis in the Florida Governor race

All hands on deck: Ron DeSantis campaign staffs up for final sprint

Ron DeSantis campaign brings in operative Tim Baker for final stretch

The takeover: Susie Wiles now in charge of Ron DeSantis campaign

Latest JEA sale revelations roil Jacksonville City Council