If you are running for office in Florida, the endorsement of the Florida Chamber of Commerce is a coveted prize.

Need proof? Take an example from this year's most prominent statewide race.

"In the governor's race during the primary cycle we endorsed Bill McCollum and put $2 million into his race," said Steve Halverson, president of Jacksonville-based The Haskell Co. and chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "Bill was 10 points behind and he closed to within 3 [points]... I think Bill would tell you that was the single biggest thing for his resurgence."

Though the endorsement did not save McCollum's campaign - he lost the Republican nomination to Rick Scott - the financial support and public backing of the state chamber provided a huge bump to what had been a flagging campaign.

As chairman, Halverson in large part controls the purse strings of what amounts to one of the state's largest political contributors during a cycle he termed "historically important." During this election cycle, his group has doled out $2.5 million in support of mostly Republican candidates and committees.

Seated in his Jacksonville office overlooking the St. Johns River, Halverson said that number will grow - significantly.

"We will seek to be among the largest financial supporters of any race in which we engage," he added.

He is not alone on the growing list of people from the First Coast who have recently ascended to positions that give them influence over the Republican Party's message and direction as November's general election approaches.

From Jennifer Carroll, a former Jacksonville-area state representative, being selected in September to be Scott's running mate, to state Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, taking over as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida in February, the state GOP and groups that generally support them have seen a recent infusion of Northeast Florida politicos.

"I think clearly Jacksonville always fights for our share of clout in state government," said Thrasher, who is seen by many as a future Senate president. "It means a lot in terms of policy, and in terms of resources."

Since Thrasher took the helm, the state Republican Party has spent $10 million supporting candidates and political committees.

Beyond Thrasher and Halverson, Erika Alba, a lawyer with the Jacksonville-based law firm The Fiorentino Group, recently took over as chair of Associated Industries Florida, which itself carries an influential endorsement and deep pockets. The pro-business lobby has spent about $300,000 so far this election cycle supporting mostly Republican candidates and committees.

Alba, who has sat on Associated Industries Florida's political action committee board for four years, said that she helped persuade that body to consider endorsing Scott at a time when most of the Republican establishment was backing McCollum.

'A good skill set'

"I was not sure he could overcome Bill McCollum, but I did want to take a strong look at him. He had a good skill set," said Alba, who first met Scott when he was an Associated Industries Florida board member.

The organization ultimately voted to co-endorse Scott and McCollum.

Other members of the Jacksonville political scene who are making a statewide splash include Scott campaign manager Susie Wiles, a Ponte Vedra Beach political consultant and former aide to mayors John Peyton and John Delaney, and Adam Hollingsworth, who took a leave of absence from being Peyton's chief of staff to work for the state Republican Party as a mediator between that organization and the Scott camp.

Both have gotten rave reviews.

Adam "is doing a great job. He is our liaison with the Scott campaign," Thrasher said. "He has been well received in Tallahassee and has been assimilated into the staff."

Because many in the Republican Party supported McCollum during the bruising primary, mending fences - part of Hollingsworth's duties - between Scott and the party establishment has become an important task.

Carroll said Hollingsworth, who did not return requests for comment, has played an important role in promoting Scott's campaign.

"He is really helping out at the regional level and the local level about who Jennifer Carroll and Rick Scott are," Carroll said of Hollingsworth, who is now based in Tallahassee.

He was recruited by Wiles, who has been paid $121,974 by Scott's campaign for consulting work since May, and Thrasher. Wiles had worked with Hollingsworth in the Peyton administration.

When reached, Wiles declined comment for this story. Carroll, however, said she is an undeniable asset to the campaign.

Familiar with Jacksonville

"She knows Jacksonville and with her area contacts she helps with raising the funds and increasing our identity with Northeast Florida voters," she said.

So, Jacksonville has had an uptick in its political influence this cycle, but will that translate into increased influence for area lawmakers once November's election is over?

"I think it does," Alba said. "We run across our delegation more often than I run across the Miami delegation, and I certainly think I know the Duval delegation, and I feel comfortable going to them."

Halverson said it boils down to trust.

"You know who you know. Someone who is a friend, if they call, of course, you are going to answer the phone," he said. "Frankly, you trust them. I don't know them in a meeting or two, I've known them for a decade."

In a concrete example, Halverson said his relationship with Thrasher played into the Florida Chamber's recent decision to fund a mailer touting his "commitment to keeping taxes low."

"When you know somebody for 10 years and you've seen them act, and you have seen them take tough votes, and you have seen them take unpopular stands ... it gives you more confidence that what they are saying is true," he said.

He did stress that regional alliances are a very small part in the decision he makes as chairman.

"You don't use that position to the explicit advantage of your region. That would be improper," he said.

Others said that when people from Jacksonville head two of the state's largest business groups, it can mean nothing but good things for the local economy.

"It kind of puts Jacksonville on the map. Some may have not heard of Clay, Nassau or Baker counties, but now they will. It is important for the economies of our region," Carroll said.

Thrasher, a former speaker of the House, was to the point on the issue of having Northeast Florida residents in high places.

"It is always good to have people in high places," he said.

matt.dixon@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4174

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-10-07/story/power-players-n...