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

A.G. GancarskiJune 28, 2018

As if hosting a fundraiser for the congressional campaign of former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown weren’t enough, Jaguars owner Shad Khan made the endorsement official. “Alvin Brown is a forward-looking leader that Florida needs,” Khan said Thursday. “I’ve worked with him and seen him in action up close as he’s made a difference on education and economic […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 28, 2018

As the campaign heats up in Florida’s 5th Congressional District, Congressman Al Lawson, facing a primary challenge from former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, will have reinforcements on the ground in Duval County. Primary among them: Darren Mason, who is a former Duval Democrats vice-chair, former assistant to Jacksonville City Councilwoman Joyce Morgan and a current at-large council candidate. Lawson, whose […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 28, 2018

The changing of the guard becomes official Thursday for the Jacksonville City Council when Aaron Bowman, a VP of the Jacksonville Chamber’s JAXUSA business recruitment wing, assumes the presidency. The event at the Times-Union Center kicks off at 6 p.m. Bowman moves from the vice-presidency to the presidency, after an uncontested candidacy that was supported by […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 28, 2018

One of the most significant players in Florida Republican politics, House Speaker-designate Jose Oliva, endorsed U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis for Governor Thursday. The endorsement, hours before the first Republican debate between DeSantis and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, will send a strong signal to Florida conservatives that DeSantis has meaningful backing. DeSantis, a Palm Coast Republican who’s also nailed the […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2018

In a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon, former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown addressed current and past issues that still occlude his bid for the Democratic nomination in Florida’s 5th Congressional District. Among the issues: incumbent Congressman Al Lawson calling Brown “absent Alvin” and other issues from Brown’s mayoralty, including failure/unwillingness to get LGBT rights legislation through Council, and […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2018

Jacksonville’s qualifying deadline was noon Wednesday, with the marquee race on the August (and November) special election ballot a four-way scrum for Duval County Tax Collector. Three Republicans and one Democrat comprise the field. Jacksonville City Councilman Doyle Carter joins two other political veterans, Lake Ray and Jim Overton, in the field. Ray is a former State Representative, Jacksonville City Councilman, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2018

The Florida Education Association is the latest in the series of endorsements for the sole Democrat in the House District 15 race, Tracye Polson. In a statement from the Polson campaign Wednesday morning, the candidate said the FEA is “on the front lines, fighting for an equitable and fair education system,” and vowed to stand along […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2018

Jacksonville City Council President-designate Aaron Bowman released committee assignments for the year starting July 1. Committees will look different than they did during the Anna Brosche presidency. The Finance Committee, which will be charged with an August review of the budget, will be guided by a steady hand: former Council President and banking executive by trade Greg Anderson. […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2018

For at least the third time in three years, former Jacksonville City Councilman Bill Bishop has changed his electoral focus for the 2019 municipal election cycle. In 2015, Bishop vowed he would run for Mayor next year. A Republican, he endorsed Democrat Alvin Brown with the idea the seat would be open. By 2017, Bishop was in […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott, in Jacksonville Tuesday on a campaign stop, was compelled to address a recent spate of murders of local transgender women. In recent months, three were killed. Concern is galvanizing the local LGBT community and is eliciting action from Equality Florida, which held a media conference at Jacksonville City Hall contemporaneously to Scott’s event on Jacksonville’s Westside. […]

A.G. Gancarski
Image via AP.

Shad Khan backs Alvin Brown for Congress

Jacksonville City Council candidate to shore up Al Lawson’s Duval campaign

Aaron Bowman to assume Jacksonville City Council presidency Thursday

Jose Oliva backs Ron DeSantis for Governor

Alvin Brown talks HRO, Barack Obama, Shad Khan, and his pathway to Congress

Qualifying seals Duval County Tax Collector race; Randy White wins Council race unopposed

Florida Education Association backs Tracye Polson in HD 15

New Jacksonville City Council committee assignments reflect change

Bill Bishop switches to district race for Jacksonville City Council; Joyce Morgan likely foe

Rick Scott wants murderers of transgender Jacksonville women brought to justice