Ben Pollara
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Ben Pollara, one of the top political strategists and public affairs professionals in Florida. Pollara successfully managed the campaign to usher in medical marijuana to the Sunshine State. Pollara was a partner at a Miami Beach-based government affairs and communications firm from 2010 until 2018 and recently served as senior adviser to the campaign of Nikki Fried for Florida Agriculture Commissioner, helping Fried become the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida. Pollara is currently a partner with strategic campaign firm Converge GPS. Peter and Ben joke about the benefits of being an extroverted introvert during the difficult times that require self-isolation as much as possible. Ben also weighs in on a new victory in the medical marijuana realm as many states issuing stay at home orders, which Florida has not, declare medical marijuana treatment centers essential businesses. Asked how Orlando attorney John Morgan, who bankrolled the medical marijuana fight, Ben jokes he does so “however the hell he wants.” Ben shares a personal fight as he and his wife hunker down with their family in South Florida after his wife showed some symptoms of coronavirus, but was unable to obtain testing. Their plights included missing a Hamilton performance and having to cancel a family vacation. The two also talk South Florida politics, which are being completely overtaken by the COVID-19 virus. And Ben compares the South Florida outbreak to what is happening in the Tampa Bay area, lamenting that the area is about two weeks behind Miami. Special Guest: Ben Pollara.