That February Tampa tour of Ana Cruz, Mayor Jane Castor’s partner, with the Related Group founder didn’t look good—given that Related was later named the city’s top choice for a contract to develop the prime West River property known as Rome Yard. Cruz is a lobbyist for Ballard Partners, who had been hired to help prep Related for its presentation. She says the tour was unrelated to business. “The optics aren’t good, I get that,” said Cruz. “But the optics and the truth are very, very far apart.”
But optics always matter. Business and politics shouldn’t appear conflicted or conflated. Any politically-savvy, communications consultant could tell you that.