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

A.G. GancarskiAugust 16, 2018

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis visited an afterschool program in Jacksonville Thursday, and even before the formal endorsement, Curry made it clear he aligned with DeSantis. At one point during the tour, he used the phrase “brothers from a different mother.” Curry, during a subsequent media availability, removed all suspense and endorsed […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 16, 2018

In the GOP campaign for Governor, it wasn’t too long ago that Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam was left for dead. Putnam suffered what appeared to be a mortal wound when President Donald Trump came to Florida for U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis. And then there were polls showing DeSantis up by 20 points. Some discussed the idea of Putnam […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 16, 2018

A federal court in Jacksonville sided Wednesday with the city of Jacksonville over a challenge filed by former Police and Fire Pension Fund head John Keane because of cuts in his pension benefits. Keane saw his benefits boosted to $234,000 a year by the board instituting the Senior Staff Voluntary Retirement Fund. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 16, 2018

Unlike the majority of Florida counties, Duval County has yet to figure out a way forward regarding regulation of short-term rentals. Zoning doesn’t accommodate them currently, and as a result, Jacksonville is missing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue. A Jacksonville City Council committee looks to change that with findings due by […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 15, 2018

The American Petroleum Institute thinks there’s a case to be made for expanding offshore drilling. And API offshoot “Explore Offshore,” billed as a “bipartisan coalition,” is poised to make that argument. The group, rolled out just hours after POLITICO reported an industry interest in drilling within 75 miles of shore, has some star power associated with […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 15, 2018

The Democratic primary campaign in Florida’s 5th Congressional District continues between incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Lawson and challenger Alvin Brown. With a recent poll showing Brown 22 points down, and endorsements from everyone from over three dozen members of the Congressional Black Caucus to the Florida Times-Union going Lawson’s way, Brown opted on Wednesday to re-up a debate […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 15, 2018

The annual review of the city of Jacksonville’s proposed budget by the City Council’s Finance Committee sees its first in a series of all-day sessions begin Aug. 16. As compared with the $1.19 billion general fund budget in FY 16-17, and the $1.27 billion budget last year, the general fund budget is up this year to $1.31 […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 15, 2018

The feud between President Donald Trump and former senior aide Omarosa Manigault Newman has a Jacksonville politics connection, with her husband John Allen Newman currently serving on the JAXPORT board. Manigault Newman left the White House months back and has since written a book, “Unhinged“, in which she has made various charges about the President, including that he suffers from […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 14, 2018

The cases of suspended Jacksonville City Council members Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown were back in federal court Tuesday afternoon for a status hearing ahead of what is now a February trial, though the defendants were no-shows. The two Browns, who are unrelated, are accused of a 38-count conspiracy to defraud, say federal prosecutors. The pair is accused of extracting hundreds […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 14, 2018

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson continues to demonstrate momentum as early voting continues in the Democratic primary for Florida’s 5th Congressional District, with two key endorsements conferred upon him Tuesday. The Planned Parenthood Action Fund endorsed Lawson, calling him a “strong supporter of women’s health and … a dedicated advocate for Planned Parenthood health centers and the people they serve.” […]

A.G. Gancarski

‘Brothers from a different mother’: Lenny Curry endorses Ron DeSantis

‘The old he-coon walks’: Adam Putnam channels Lawton Chiles in Lake City

Fed court sides with Jacksonville in pension challenge

Jacksonville City Council panel to investigate short-term rentals issue

As deep-sea drilling issue bubbles, ‘Explore Offshore’ to make affirmative case

Debate on: Al Lawson and Alvin Brown agree to ‘electronic town hall’ on Jacksonville radio

Jacksonville City Council panel begins budget deep dive Thursday

Rick Scott gently chides Donald Trump for calling Omarosa a ‘dog’

February trial set for Jacksonville Councilmembers Katrina, Reggie Brown

New endorsements signal Al Lawson momentum in re-election bid