Former state Representative Dudley Goodlette of Naples starts working for a lobbying firm today. Republican Dudley Goodlette served 8 years in the legislature. He left office this fall due to term limits. He’s a real estate lawyer in Naples and will continue to practice there. But he’s also been hired by the lobbyist organization Southern Strategy Group.

Goodlette was, ironically, one of the key architects of Florida’s sweeping ban on gifts from lobbyists. And he says, he has every intention of complying with a state law that bans former lawmakers from lobbying the legislature for two years after they leave office.

“There is no prohibition in the law that would preclude me from lobbying the executive branch of government – the governor and the state agencies. So I would expect that I would be a registered executive branch lobbyist initially and once the two year time period for me lobbying the legislature, that prohibition expires – I may or may not lobby the legislature thereafter. It remains to be seen.”

Goodlette had considered running for the state Senate before incumbent Senator Burt Saunders of Naples dropped out of the GOP primary for state attorney general and stayed in his seat. Goodlette says he will decide when Saunders leaves office if he wants to run for legislative office again.

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Former Naples State Representative Dudley Goodlette begins working for one of the largest lobbying firms in the state capital today.

He was term limited out of office this fall. Now Goodlette says he’ll continue his real estate law practice and work as an Executive branch lobbyist and advisor for Southern Strategy Group, out of a new office the firm is opening in Naples.

Goodlette says Florida’s lobbying corps operates with impeccable integrity.

“They don’t cut corners. They give you the straight information. I would envision seeking to emulate some of those really top quality people if and when I do get into the legislative lobbying arena.”

Former lawmakers are banned from lobbying the legislative branch for two years.

Southern Strategy Group has more than 100 clients including Brevard County, AT&T, Chevron, the cities of Orlando and Jacksonville and Walt Disney World.