Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschDecember 10, 2018

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It hasn’t gotten the credit, but the Tallahassee staff of the Jones Walker firm played a key role in the election and recount that led to Ron DeSantis’ winning the Governor’s race. Chief among them is lobbyist Jenn Ungru, better known as a health care policy guru. But in the election law world, she’s the […]

Peter SchorschDecember 4, 2018

The under-the-radar scrum to lead the Republican Party of Florida for the next two years is threatening to expose a growing fault line inside the incoming administration of Ron DeSantis. On one side is powerful Congressman Matt Gaetz … on the other is, well, most everyone else advising the Governor-elect. Gaetz is one of four co-chairs […]

Peter SchorschNovember 15, 2018

At least four people are in the running to become Ron DeSantis‘ chief of staff: Kathy Mears, Scott Ross, Scott Parkinson, and Shane Strum, according to sources familiar with the interview process. DeSantis “has discussed the position with all four,” one source said during an interview in Orlando where dozens of Adams Streeters are meeting for […]

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 […]

Tag: Susie Wiles
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‘Calm in the chaos‘: How Jones Walker navigated recount for Ron DeSantis

Team of rivals: Inside the early days of the Ron DeSantis transition

Ron DeSantis vetting chief of staff candidates, including some familiar names

‘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