Those looking for any and all possible signs that Mayor Bob Buckhorn is ultimately eying a run for higher, statewide office now have another clue. Replacing the well-regarded Ali Glisson as City Hall’s public affairs director is Ashley Bauman. The latter’s political-communication background is rooted in the Democratic Party.
Prominent among her experiences: former senior communications adviser to Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic National Committee’s chairwoman. She also was a key operative in Florida for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.
Mayor Buckhorn was less than nuanced in his appraisal of what the Naples native, 32, brings to City Hall. “I like communications directors that have come out of campaigns,” he noted, “because I think they bring a special skill set that normal public information officers don’t have.”
And, BTW, Glisson’s departure further reinforces the chemistry–and synergy–between City Hall and Strategic Property Partners, the Jeff Vinik company with billion-dollar development plans for the Amalie Arena area. Glisson becomes director of communications for SPP–and joins former City Attorney Jim Shimberg Jr., now the company’s COO.