The Florida "ghost candidate" scandal involved key Republican operatives using third-party candidates to siphon votes from Democrats in the 2020 state Senate elections.
The Florida Council of 100: A Parallel Government in the Shadows?
The Florida Council of 100, founded in 1961 at the behest of Governor Farris Bryant, operates as a private, non-partisan advisory group composed of influential business leaders. While the Council claims to work collaboratively with Florida’s government to improve the quality of life for Floridians, its actions and history raise questions about whether it functions as an informal yet powerful parallel government.
Origins and Evolution: A Growing Influence
Originally created to offer business-oriented policy recommendations, the Council of 100 has evolved into a body with significant influence over state governance. The turning point came in 1999 with the inauguration of Governor Jeb Bush, who integrated the Council into the policymaking process to an unprecedented degree. Bush utilized the organization to promote controversial policies, including eliminating job security for state workers, demonstrating a willingness to align government policy directly with the Council’s business-driven agenda.
Subsequent administrations, such as Rick Scott’s, continued this trend, leveraging the Council’s business expertise to shape economic and employment policies. The Council’s close relationships with governors suggest an ongoing dynamic in which unelected business leaders wield considerable influence over public policy, bypassing traditional democratic mechanisms.
Membership and Objectives: A Closed Circle of Power?
Membership in the Florida Council of 100 is by invitation only, limited to successful business leaders with demonstrated political and economic influence. While the organization asserts a commitment to diversity, its membership largely consists of Republicans and major political donors. The Council’s 1998 mission statement underscores its strategic influence: “To be a forum of strategic thinkers and leaders having a major positive effect on Florida public policy.”
Unlike elected officials, Council members are not accountable to the public, yet their policy recommendations and advocacy efforts have shaped critical areas such as economic development, education, and public-private partnerships. This raises concerns about transparency and democratic representation, as major policy initiatives may be directed by individuals with vested business interests rather than the electorate.
The Council’s Role in Shaping Policy
The Florida Council of 100 has an extensive track record of commissioning research and issuing policy recommendations through position papers and reports. While these efforts are often framed as benefiting all Floridians, the Council’s priorities align closely with the interests of large businesses. A key example is its collaboration with the Florida Chamber of Commerce to produce the 2010 study Closing the Talent Gap, which emphasized workforce development from a business perspective.
Additionally, the Council played a prominent role in the 2012 Republican presidential debate, underscoring its political influence beyond state borders. By leveraging its financial resources and connections, the Council continues to position itself as an indispensable voice in Florida’s policy landscape, further blurring the lines between private influence and public governance.
Concerns Over Shadow Governance
Critics have long expressed concerns about the Council’s outsized influence. Florida State University professor Lance deHaven-Smith described it as a group of “unelected officials who in their own right have enormous resources and power” exerting control over state governance “without the larger electorate knowing much about it.” This dynamic raises questions about the privatization of public policy and potential violations of Florida’s Sunshine Laws, which are designed to ensure government transparency and limit excessive corporate influence.
Further concerns arise from the Council’s close coordination with Republican leadership. Former Council Chairman Al Hoffman openly stated, “We want to be a force in shaping public policy. We want to be influential.” While influence is not inherently problematic, the lack of public oversight fuels suspicions that the Council operates as a shadow government, exerting power behind closed doors rather than through democratic processes.
The “Ethics in Energy Act” would prohibit electric utilities from using ratepayer dollars to fund shady political activities in the wake of scandals |
A "Case in Point" is the story of the FP&L "Ghost Candidates" which on examination had the fingerprints of the FC100 on it (although the ending was what was to be expected)
Key Operatives & Their Roles:
Patrick Bainter: Chief consultant for Florida Senate Republicans, admitted in a deposition to approving the scheme and transferring $100,000 to a dark money nonprofit controlled by Frank Artiles.
Frank Artiles: Former state senator, recruited ghost candidates, including Alex Rodriguez, and allegedly made $45,000 in illegal campaign contributions. He was arrested in 2021 and faces trial.
Alex Rodriguez: A "ghost" candidate who shared a last name with Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez, drawing over 6,000 votes and ultimately helping Republican Ileana Garcia win by just 32 votes.
Florida Power & Light (FPL): Accused in a shareholder lawsuit of funding the scheme through dark money groups to undermine Jose Javier Rodriguez, a political adversary.
Eric Silagy: Former CEO of FPL, admitted supporting the GOP’s targeting of the race before resigning in 2023 amid scandal-related scrutiny.
Scheme Impact:
Helped Republicans solidify their Senate majority.
Over $730,000 in secret political funds funneled through various operatives.
Five individuals, including Artiles, indicted for campaign finance violations.
No Senate Republicans or top operatives, including Bainter, have been charged.
Artiles faces up to five years in prison if convicted, while Bainter remains legally untouched despite acknowledging his involvement.
Defenders of the Council
Supporters of the Council argue that it provides a necessary business perspective in shaping effective public policy. Andy Barnes, a former Council member and publisher of the St. Petersburg Times, acknowledged that while the Council is motivated by self-interest, its influence is not absolute, as state officials retain the final say in policymaking. Nonetheless, the perception of an elite group of business leaders exerting disproportionate influence
remains a contentious issue.
"We're not a secret organization -- we're a closed organization." FC100. Chairman Hoffman
Conclusion: A Call for Transparency
The Florida Council of 100 operates in a complex space between advisory body and informal governance structure. While it has undoubtedly contributed valuable policy insights, its exclusive nature and lack of public accountability pose significant concerns. To ensure that Florida’s governance remains transparent and representative, greater scrutiny of the Council’s influence is necessary. Public disclosure of its recommendations, open forums for citizen input, and adherence to Florida’s Sunshine Laws would be crucial steps in preventing a shift from democratic governance to corporate-driven policymaking.
In an era where private influence on public policy is growing, the Florida Council of 100 serves as a cautionary example of how business elites can shape government decisions outside the electoral process. Whether it continues to operate as an opaque power broker or embraces transparency will determine its role in Florida’s political future.
"A group of un-elected officials who in their own right have enormous resources and power have become very influential in government without the larger electorate knowing much about it. There had been a sense that the government had been captured by the largest businesses and some of the businesses were like a shadow government -- it was exercised in back rooms and through financial contributions and indirect dealings." Lance deHaven-Smith
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