A.G. Gancarski, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

12670400_104095169983536_5251851944185911362_n-3500x5000.jpg

Former Judge Charles Cofer collected $6,500 during the week from July 23 to July 29, giving him a total of $166,000 raised, with over $85,000 on hand as he battles incumbent Matt Shirk to become the Republican nominee for 4th Circuit public defender. Cofer, in what has become a chippy election complete with allegations of tampered signs and […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

timepol-donald-trump-tuesday-primary-election-2016-e1470185876779.jpg

A surprisingly common thread in coverage of Wednesday’s Donald Trump rally in Jacksonville media was the disconnect between his description of Jacksonville’s post-industrial economic devastation and the message put forth by local politicians and the business community. Among Trump’s assertions: “This area has been devastated by the loss of industrial jobs …. As you stand here thinking […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

There’s probably nothing for Sen. Travis Hutson to worry about, given that he’s unopposed in August in Florida Senate District 6 and faces a lightly funded Democrat in November. But Hutson’s cash-on-hand is atypically meager for a sitting Republican senator. As of July 29, Hutson had just over $45,000 on hand, with $8,300 raised from June […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has been rolling out his leadership teams around the state this week, and Thursday was the Jacksonville/Gainesville markets’ turn. Ahead of an Aug. 30 challenge from Manatee homebuilder Carlos Beruff, Rubio’s team is intending to flash all of the institutional support a popular incumbent typically would have. Prominent names include Congressmen Ron DeSantis and Ander […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

Most incumbents facing primary competition can count on a little help from their friends. And State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto is no exception. Benacquisto is running for re-election in Southwest Florida’s Senate District 27, facing Republican Jason Maughan in the Aug. 30 primary. An interesting donor of late: “Working for Florida’s Families,” the political action committee of […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

A new, brutal attack ad targeting Melissa Nelson has been launched from “Citizens for Justice,” a PAC supportive of Angela Corey. A third candidate in the race, Wes White, has piggybacked on the hit with sponsored Facebook posts pointing to the ad. The ad incorporates uncorroborated claims made by White in a letter to Corey requesting a grand jury investigation of the Nelson […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

Lions … tigers … bears … and GOP Congressional candidates. All will be at the Jacksonville Zoo Tuesday for a forum involving 4th Congressional District Republicans. One caveat, however: none of the Republicans will be in cages. The forum will be held in the Samburu Room, under the auspices of the Northside Business Leaders, starting […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

As if a Donald Trump rally weren’t enough excitement for one week, the Republican Party of Duval County has a “Finish Line” ahead of it Thursday evening. The event will be held at the Jacksonville Automobile and Motorcycle Museum on Arlington Expressway, and the Duval GOP proclaims a synergy, as the “racing theme not only ties […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

Until this year, Jacksonville legislators Lake Ray and Reggie Fullwood served together in Tallahassee. Ray is termed out. And, if the endorsement from the First Coast Manufacturers Association is any indication, the Republican wants to show Fullwood the door on his way out. The FCMA endorsed Tracie Davis, running against Fullwood in Jacksonville’s House District 13, over the incumbent. What […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

Hans Tanzler introduced himself to Northeast Florida voters on horseback, brandishing a rifle, and telling President Barack Obama that “we the people [say] ‘get out of our town.'” Bill McClure introduced himself to voters outside of St. Johns County with his “Washington Insider Party” ad, naming Tanzler as one of three “career politicians” Nancy Pelosi would like to […]

A.G. Gancarski

Charles Cofer extends money lead over Matt Shirk in public defender race

Jax leaders demur in addressing Donald Trump’s description of local economic devastation

Slow fundraising for Travis Hutson in re-election bid

Marco Rubio’s Northeast Florida leadership team shows institutional strength

Rob Bradley political committee gives $5,000 to Lizbeth Benacquisto PAC

New Angela Corey PAC ad: Fair play? Or ‘flaming load of excrement’?

CD 4 Republicans to face off Tuesday at Jacksonville Zoo

‘Finish Line’ Thursday night for Duval County Republicans

Lake Ray manufacturer group backs Reggie Fullwood’s Dem opponent in HD 13

Hans Tanzler, Bill McClure vow to repeal ObamaCare