Veteran political strategist Susie Wiles — a longtime resident of Ponte Vedra Beach — scored a signature triumph Tuesday night after guiding President-elect Donald Trump back to the White House.
Trump personally lauded his co-campaign manager during an early morning victory speech from Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, calling her to the podium before she declined to speak.
“Susie likes to stay in the background,” he told the crowd. “She’s not in the background.”
Wiles is the daughter of legendary NFL player and announcer Pat Summerall, who maintained a home in Ponte Vedra Beach for many years.
Wiles emerged as a potent figure in Jacksonville politics in her younger years, serving as a top staffer for mayors John Peyton and John Delaney.
She later helmed Rick Scott’s successful 2010 gubernatorial run before leading Trump to his shock victory in 2016.
One of Florida’s most prominent GOP figures, Wiles also led Gov. Ron DeSantis successful 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
