Hunkering Down With Peter Schorsch

Florida Times-Union columnist Nate Monroe reacts to the frightening revelation that he was monitored and targeted by consultants working for America’s largest power company. Plus, Nate and Peter discuss the 2022 elections in #JaxPol.

Qualifying week is over! Now that state races have firmed up, Hunkering Down examines Florida's electoral landscape for 2022. Joining Peter Schorsch on the show are veteran political consultants Anthony Pedicini (Republican) and Reggie Cardozo (Democrat).

Who is in; who is out — and who brought some eleventh-hour surprises.

Peter also talks about his London adventure — and his brush with COVID-19.

On a brand-new Hunkering Down, Peter Schorsch chats with Ken Welch, the former Pinellas County Commissioner and current leading candidate for St. Petersburg Mayor.

Topics include:

— Getting things done for Pinellas County; no corruption, no fiscal issues. Making trains run on time.

— The success of the county’s pandemic response; working together with business (in a non-partisan way) for a quicker, responsible economic recovery.

— Emphasizing COVID-19 education and civil (not criminal) compliance measures.

— The beauty of South St. Pete; could gentrification be on the horizon?

— Driving nearly 1,000 Uber trips for “Project Connect,” listening to a broad cross-section of citizens.

— Addressing key issues: workforce needs (especially service industry), housing, growth, and being a Mayor “during prosperity.”

— Appointing a good city administrator; dealing with the Tampa Bay Rays.

— Talking to colleagues, former Mayors and getting endorsements in the race.

— What’s it like to grow up a Black man in St. Petersburg.

— Music, race, and “are things getting better?”

Special Guest: Ken Welch.

On a new episode of Hunkering Down, Peter Schorsch explains how podcasting has become a major part of moving ahead during the continuing pandemic, and why the need still exists to “hunker down.”

— Rep. Michele Rayner discusses her activist roots and entry into state politics.

— The St. Petersburg Democrat talks about how being a gay, Black woman would not have been an easy path in politics 15 years ago.

— How do we overcome political polarization?

— Rep. Anna Eskamani also reflects on her activism, reproductive rights and the fears that a Texas-style “heartbeat bill” could come to Florida.

— Eskamani’s mother was the inspiration for her political life, and how her passing shows you should never put off important conversations. Life is too short to wait.

— Peter and guests discuss the death of Michael K. Williams, who played the iconic Omar on “The Wire.” Williams’ portrayal of complex characters made him a well-loved actor, nominated for an Emmy for his role in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country.”

Peter Schorsch hunkers down with lobbyists Richard Reeves, Republican consultant** Kirsten Borman** and Republican House District 1 candidate Michelle Salzman.

The three discuss reopening schools, a tough primary coming up in August and, perhaps more important to everyone’s mental health, Hamilton on Disney+.

Peter grapples with the disparity between families able to keep their kids home to distance learn in the fall and other families, largely those with limited resources, who don’t have a choice.

Also on the slate, missing restaurants and rethinking what the future of hospitality looks like.

Borman tackles fundraising in the age of coronavirus, touting the ability to adapt to changing circumstances in order to keep afloat. Low-dollar donors counted out? Peter and Borman disagree about whether that’s the case.

And take a break from pandemic chaos for some tips on how to best enjoy Hamilton on-screen, rather than in the theater.

Special Guests: Kristen Borman, Michelle Salzman, and Richard Reeves.

Peter Schorsch hunkers down in an all-Jacksonville episode with University of North Florida Political Science and Public Administration Associate Professor Mike Binder, veteran Florida Times-Union reporter and columnist Nate Monroe and longtime political consultant and pollster Steve Vancore.

Each guest offers their expert insight into COVID-19 and politics and the special twist in Jacksonville as the city prepares to welcome thousands of Republicans for President Donald Trump’s re-nomination speech in August, the headlining event for the Republican National Convention.

Binder responds to polls showing most Jacksonville residents show opposition for hosting the marquis RNC event, but digs into the underlying question — does it matter?

As a reporter and columnist in the city, Monroe offers an insider’s perspective into what it’s like to cover the state’s most populous city at a time when public fear is stoked by the embers of a once again growing pandemic. He also weighs in on Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s controversial political resume and what that means for the convention going forward.

Vancore tackles yet another topic crucial for the 2020 cycle — universal vote-by-mail. Democrats want it to stave off potential coronavirus spread at polling places, but Republicans largely oppose the idea. That opposition comes even though the GOP has been wildly successful in their vote-by-mail strategy in Florida, while Democrats have had less success.

Taken together, the three offer a robust snapshot of 2020 in Florida.

Special Guests: Mike Binder, Nate Monroe, and Steve Vancore.

In the first episode from the campaign trail, Peter Schorsch hunkers down with GOP political consultant Anthony Pedicini, former Rep. and now Senate candidate Jason Brodeur and Florida Politics Orlando reporter Scott Powers. Brodeur kicks it off with a look at his campaign in Senate District 9, one of the hottest races in Florida politics this year. Powers picks it up with a reporter’s analysis of that race, as well as other intriguing match-ups, including a down-ballot contest for the Seminole County Commission. Powers also laments how baseball is languishing during the pandemic. Pedicini bats clean up, weighing in on Heather Fitzenhagen’s surprise launch into Senate District 27, while bringing in an insider's view to many of the legislative seats in play this cycle.

Special Guests: Anthony Pedicini , Jason Brodeur, and Scott Powers.

Peter Schorsch hunkers down with lobbyist Ron Pierce, president and CEO of Tampa-based RSA Consulting Group. He began his legislative career in 1998 working in the Florida Legislature as a District Legislative Assistant in the House, later working with Sen. Tom Lee in the spring of 2000, becoming Lee’s Policy Adviser during his tenure as Senate President from 2004-2006.

Pierce discusses work in the time of coronavirus, relegated to online correspondence. Peter speculates about the possibility of businesses maintaining work-from-home models even when the virus passes.

Working from home, Peter argues, reduces company overhead and gives workers the option to purchase houses in more affordable suburbs rather than buying into the high-rent, high-priced housing market in urban work centers.

Pierce said that is something under consideration in his company, though new clients will still need that crucial one on one interaction to build relationships and trust.

He discusses how a smaller firm like his can compete in Tallahassee, which comes down to competency and relationships.

He also offers some insight into his work with transportation giant Uber. Pierce has worked with the company for the past seven years, developing a relationship with the company amid Hillsborough County’s battle between ride-share and traditional taxis under the now-shuttered Public Transportation Commission. Pierce helped usher in local policies allowing the company to operate under a legal framework in the county before statewide regulations were put in place.

Now, his work centers on ensuring clients understand the ever-changing rules in the coronavirus economy — when can they open, how can they open?

The two also talk about Jeff Vinik and his efforts in the Tampa Bay community to provide education and resources for residents and businesses as coronavirus restrictions continue to wreak havoc on daily life.

Special Guest: Ron Pierce.

Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Matt Dixon, senior reporter for POLITICO Florida since March 2014, joining the online news organization after five years covering state government and politics. Before that, Dixon spent four years as bureau chief at the Florida Times-Union.

Dixon offers a comedic and dry analysis of the current climate, rife with people opting to stay at home rather than venture out into the coronavirus world.

Dixon finds the silver lining in the coronavirus crisis despite it wrecking his March wedding plans. Peter didn’t get an invite and assumes it’s because the date got pushed back (hint: that’s not why).

The two discuss a recent analysis Dixon penned for POLITICO in which he speculates about a possible three-way Republican primary among Florida politicians Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis and Matt Gaetz for President in 2024.

The also talk about the prospects of Marco Rubio in 2024 and bed the question: Did that ship sail in 2016?

They also weigh in on the 2022 election where DeSantis faces reelection and speculate on how the 2020 presidential election outcome could play out in that race.

But Dixon calls predictions at this point, “kind of stupid.”

Dixon also laments eroding transparency in the DeSantis administration and the frequency for which he’s getting crickets when he requests information.

If you’re feeling a little shy about your coronavirus belly, don’t worry, the two share plenty of lamentations of their own belly flab.

Special Guest: Matt Dixon.

Peter Schorsch and Jeff Johnston take a deep dive into the streaming sports-related content available now in lieu of actual season game play.

They dig into The Last Dance and give their takes on the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate.

Peter compares lobbying in Tallahassee to the NBA, with fierce competition to get major lobbying contracts. He and Jeff agree that from the top five and the top 20 firms, there are excellent lobbyists in every one.

Johnston talks about the dynamic of his firm and his work with his business partner Amanda Stewart. He says working in Tallahassee is still a bit of a boy’s club and he’s deeply impressed by all of the women he’s surrounded by.

Peter talks about the many firsts still ahead for women in the legislature, but looks forward to the day when women like his daughter Ella no longer have to worry about the obstacles in their way.

Johnston says coronavirus got real for him because of his family. His father, battling cancer, was highly immunocompromised and therefore susceptible to COVID-19. His daughter is a senior in high school, who had long been planning her senior cruise. Cancelling that cruise was the moment things began to get truly real for the Johnston family.

Johnston’s father passed away three weeks ago, something he handles with grace and poise throughout the podcast. He explains that his father lived a good life and went out on his own terms.

Finally, Johnston makes excellent book recommendations. He suggests a series by Jack Carr, a pen name for co-writers that include Keith Wood, a government affairs professional in The Process.

The first book, The Terminal List, was just picked up for a movie contract, starring Chris Pratt.

Special Guest: Jeff Johnston.