About State of Sunshine

The State of Sunshine started in June 2006 as a place in the blogosphere dedicated to politics in Florida, among other things. It focuses on state-level politics, and political happenings in the Tampa Bay area. Occasionally, it may delve into national-level politics — although there are a plethora of blogs that discuss national issues.

The approach is “center-right” — which is to say that those who post here are Republican, but not so hardcore that they can’t see good in other parties or bad ideas from the GOP.

Jim Johnson, Publisher

Jim Johnson, the editor and publisher of The State of Sunshine, has more than a decade of political experience, starting as Student Body President at the University of South Florida. He has worked for five members of the Florida House of Representatives from 1995 through 2004, and managed several campaigns through 2006. in 2002, he ran unsuccessfuly for State Representative in Tampa.

After leaving the legislature, Jim worked for a software development company in Tampa. Currently, he works as Director of Public Strategies for Affari Edge, a full-service advertising agency, where he handles public relations strategies for clients across the country.

You can find Jim on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In.

To contact Jim send an email to jim [at] stateofsunshine [dot] com.

Darren Shields, Contributor

Darren Shields has been involved in politics for over fifteen years. During his college days, he served as chairman of the University of Florida’s chapter of College Republicans. He then went on to hold the chairmanship of College Republicans for the entire state of Florida. At that time he was involved in several political projects and ran a couple of campaigns.

Leaving politics to focus on his studies, he transferred to the University of West Florida and earned a degree in Computer Science. Since that time he has held a number of jobs in information technology and now lives in Tampa where he owns Workflow Mobility, Inc., a technology consulting firm. Politics never being far from his mind, he continues to be involved in local campaigns.

Vince Mariano, Contributor

Vince has over two decades under his belt of watching hard-hitting television programs- Firing Line, McLaughlin Group, Crossfire, Meet The Press, & The Simpsons- not to mention spending countless late nights watching the votes from the House floor trickle in on C-SPAN. Vince developed his keen eye for political posturing and deceit.

Since relocating from New York, he tried to get a grip on the inner-workings of Florida Government, while still keeping up with the Beltway. Quietly laboring in the vineyards, he unwaveringly promotes conservative ideals and principles in the grand tradition of Burke, Kirk, and Buckley.

His interests include listening to Rush (both the rock band AND the man), playing golf, watching sports, and last but certainly most important- doting over his firstborn son.

Eric Wall, Contributor

Eric has been involved in politics in one way or another since being a member of the Bay County Young Republicans in 1988 after moving to Panama City. He is a member of the Republican Liberty Caucus Florida state executive committee, the RNC and the Tax Cap Coalition, including Americans for Prosperity, Florida Taxpayers Union and the James Madison Institute

Earlier this year, Eric was a field coordinator, precinct leader and county treasurer for the Ron Paul 2008 presidential campaign, with responsibilities all across the Florida Panhandle during the primary season.

A veteran of the United States Army, Eric is a Precinct Committeeman for the Bay County Republican Party.

Angelette Aviles, Contributor

Aviles Angelette provides much insight to what motivates Hispanics as well as the general market through her communications firm, Americas Marketing & Graphics. She received a Political Science degree from the University of South Florida and is currently serving on the Hispanic Leadership Council of the Republican Party of Florida and was County Chair for the McCain Hispanic Coalition. The Hispanic print and television media calls her upon as a respected source for commentary in regards to elections from a Republican perspective and has served the party or non-partisan efforts as a panelist. Some include: Florida this Week, Centro Mi-Diario, Siete Dias, Creative Loafing, Univision, Fox-13 and Bay News 9.

In 2007, Angelette was selected as one of six women and the first Hispanic to participate in a statewide yearlong leadership program called the Tillie Fowler Series. She graduated from the scholarship-based program, once sponsored by the RNC, which encourages and prepares selected women leaders to seek new levels of involvement in government and politics. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Early Learning Coalition overseeing a $80 million budget for Hillsborough County.

Steve Van Gorden, Contributor

Van Gorden Steve is principal of Hudson Middle School in Pasco County, and serves as Mayor Pro Tem for Dade City. He was elected to the City Commission in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. He and his wife of nine years, Jennifer, have two children. They moved to Dade City in 1998.

He is a proven leader, and is the first public official to serve as a contributor to State of Sunshine. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from St. Leo University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern University.

Nicole M. James, Contributor

Nicole M. JamesFor more than twelve years, Nicole has been actively involved in a variety of state legislative, gubernatorial, congressional, and presidential campaigns. Nicole coordinated all four of the legislative campaigns of State Senator Mike Haridopolos and has served as his campaign manager, special assistant, and legislative assistant in Tallahassee. She has worked as an analyst for Governor Jeb Bush and currently offers research and project assistance to candidates and officeholders, specializing in legislative issue research, editorials, and talking points. She has also been teaching for Brevard Community College since 2007.

Nicole graduated from the University of Florida in 2004, receiving a Master of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Science degree in Business Management. She was the University’s only non-law student member of the Journal of Law and Public Policy at the Levin College of Law, where she served on its senior board. Nicole holds a certificate from the University of Florida in Political Management and was the school’s 2005 recipient of the Skip Campbell Leadership Award.

Nicole and her husband, attorney Andy Bardos, were born and raised in Brevard County and now reside in Tallahassee. She can be reached at: nicolejames2008@gmail.com.

The State of Sunshine will not be a place for gossip or insider notes; rather, it will be a commentary on the current happenings in Tampa Bay, Tallahassee, and the rest of the Sunshine State. Feel free to suggest a topic or request more information about something you read here.

Thank you for stopping by, we hope you check back frequently.

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