Slater Bayliss

Partner
The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners

204 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
850.222.8900 Tallahassee Office
swb@cardenaspartners.com
VCard

A veteran of Florida politics, Slater has earned a reputation as a thoughtful, persistent and effective advocate. As a co-founding member of The Advocacy Group , Slater has worked in local, state, and federal government policy issues for over two decades. Previously, Slater served in Governor Jeb Bush’s administration where his portfolio consisted of Economic Development policy formation and implementation. Previously, he served as personal assistant to Governor Bush. In this role, he acted as the liaison between the Governor and the executive office, agency secretaries, members of the Florida Legislature and constituents.

Preceding his tenure in the Governor’s office, Slater functioned as special assistant to the Convention Manager for the 2000 Republican National Convention. Slater also served as Deputy Policy Director on Jeb Bush’s 1998 gubernatorial race and on the political team for the George W. Bush Iowa primary effort in 1999. Slater began his political career with the Republican Governors Association in 1996.

Slater earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of Iowa. He later attended graduate school at Florida State University where he earned a master’s degree of Applied American Policy and Politics. He later collaborated on a pair of books that analyzed Florida elections through multiple types of data and changes in voter registration and turnout over time while dissecting electoral behavior of groups in Florida.

Slater currently serves on the National Board of Maverick PAC, an organization that promotes next generation leaders in public service. Additionally, Slater sits on the Board of the Florida Coalition for Capital, a partnership of leaders supporting economic development and job creation through long term access to capital for Florida’s entrepreneurs and emerging companies. Slater is also a member of the Board of Directors for Tree House of Tallahassee, an emergency shelter where children who are victims of domestic abuse are given shelter and comfort.

Slater previously served two terms as a gubernatorial appointee to the Board of Directors of the Florida Sports Foundation and operated as the Chair of the Florida Sports Charitable Foundation. Slater also functioned as a Special Advisor to Governor Rick Scott’s Inaugural Committee, has raised monies for the U.S. Central Command Memorial Fund and the Florida Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund. Additionally, Slater served on Governor Ron DeSantis’ Inaugural Committee. Most recently, Slater was appointed by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio to his Service Academy Nominating Commission.

He and his wife, Sara, met as undergraduates and now reside in Tallahassee. They are the proud parents of 3 children.