One of the state’s top political strategists is joining one of Florida’s top government relations firms. Cardenas Partners announced Tuesday that it has hired Steve Schale as part of the firm’s  team of experts throughout the state.

Schale is known for serving as Barack Obama’s state campaign manager in 2008 and helping the Obama-Biden ticket win Florida. He returned to serve as a senior adviser in Florida for Obama’s reelection in 2012.

“I am thrilled to be joining Cardenas Partners,” Schale said. “They have built one of the most respected shops in the business, and I am looking forward to contributing to the team.”

Schale will work with the Cardenas team to provide legislative and regulatory services and will work out of their capital office in Tallahassee,

“We have admired Steve’s vast and nuanced understanding of Florida politics over the years and we are excited to have him join our family,” said Senior Partner Al Cardenas, former chair of the Republican Party of Florida. “Steve’s thoughtful and methodical approach to advocacy makes him a perfect fit for our team.”

In addition to his work on the Obama campaigns, Schale is known as a top expert on Florida politics. He is frequently quoted in national media reports and the former St. Petersburg Times called him “one of the savviest and most effective political strategists Florida Democrats have seen in ages.”

In 2008 he was named one of Florida’s “100 Movers and Shakers” by Florida International Magazine, one of the most influential Democrats in Florida by Politics Magazine in 2009 and 2013, and the most influential Florida Democratic strategist in Florida by the Tampa Bay Times in 2012.

Schale is a 1996 graduate of the University of the South obtaining; degrees in History and Political Science. In 2009 he received his Master’s degree in Communications from Florida State University.