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

A.G. GancarskiNovember 9, 2018

Florida elections saw in many respects a blue wave, as witnessed by three of the five state-level races on the ballot triggering recounts. However, that 50/50 tendency didn’t extend to every contested race. Exhibit A in that regard: Florida’s 6th Congressional District, the former fiefdom of Governor-elect (?) Ron DeSantis. Republican Mike Waltz, a Trump-endorsed former Green Beret […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 8, 2018

On Friday, nearly three days after ballots began to be counted, we still lack clarity in who the next Governor will be. We do know there will be a machine recount. With a vote lead of 36,211 with over 8.2 million ballots counted (rounding up to a 0.46 percent edge) Republican Ron DeSantis, the 40-year-old former […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 8, 2018

Governor-elect Ron DeSantis rolled out his transition team chairs Wednesday, and interesting names abounded. Congressman Matt Gaetz, an unstinting DeSantis advocate from the time he launched his campaign, will fill one of the slots. Outgoing House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who originally backed Adam Putnam in the primaries before mending fences after August, will fill another spot. Two more spots […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 8, 2018

While it can’t be argued that the support of President Donald Trump carried Ron DeSantis to what looks like a victory in the Governor’s race, there’s something no less important. Support from Northeast Florida. DeSantis, a Ponte Vedra Republican, represented the suburbs south of Jacksonville for two terms in Congress (a third term saw his district moved […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 7, 2018

Speaking for nearly 90 minutes on a myriad of topics, President Donald Trump offered a rousing defense of the GOP’s midterm performance Wednesday. “Look at what happened in Florida,” Trump said. “We did unbelievably well, winning the Senate and the governorship against two talented people.” Trump noted that “we weren’t expected to win” in Florida, framing […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 7, 2018

When so inclined, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry offers some very direct quotes. On Tuesday evening, Curry spiked the ball on local exponents of the “Blue Wave” theory. Curry reminded locals of his pre-primary endorsement of Ron DeSantis for Governor. My brother from another mother. — Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) November 7, 2018 He also reminded them of his […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 6, 2018

The million dollar-plus race to replace Jay Fant in House District 15 has concluded. And the Democrats — despite a herculean effort — could not flip it. On Tuesday, Republican Wyman Duggan defeated Democrat Tracye Polson by 51 percent to 49 percent. Democrats had not previously fielded a candidate for this seat for nearly a decade. However, this cycle […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 6, 2018

Though a 2019 election looms, Republican Jim Overton won Tuesday’s special election for Duval County Tax Collector. But it was close. Overton won with 51 percent of the vote. He defeated Democrat Mia Jones, who recently was a member of the Florida House, rising to Democratic Leader pro tempore in 2014-16. The low-wattage race pitted two political veterans against each […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 6, 2018

The high-profile race to replace Ron DeSantis in Congress involved two nationally known candidates and went down to the wire. Ultimately, the President picked the winner. And that winner won by double-digits Republican Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret and counterterrorism adviser to then-Vice President Dick Cheney, defeated Democrat Nancy Soderberg, a Clinton-era Ambassador to the United Nations. The race saw […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 6, 2018

Duval County voters on Tuesday approved a nonbinding referendum suggesting that the Jacksonville City Council must first approve a sale of 10 percent or more of the municipal utility (JEA). While JEA has an independent board, the push to privatize the utility that started a year ago led Council members to want increased checks and […]

A.G. Gancarski
The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

Special forces: How Mike Waltz defeated the national left

Andrew Gillum closes gap with Ron DeSantis ahead of expected recount

Richard Corcoran, Matt Gaetz among Ron DeSantis transition team chairs

Northeast Florida made Ron DeSantis happen, and its payoff is coming

‘Look at what happened in Florida’: Donald Trump’s victory lap

‘Losing sucks’: Lenny Curry throws down 2019 gauntlet

Wyman Duggan takes Jay Fant’s spot in House

Jim Overton ekes out win in Duval tax collector race

The President’s man: Mike Waltz to replace Ron DeSantis in Congress

Jacksonville voters want extra safeguard against JEA sale