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

A.G. GancarskiJuly 13, 2018

In Florida’s 5th Congressional District, the Democratic primary is continuing to heat up. Hours before a Friday evening co-appearance in Jacksonville of incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Lawson and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Lawson’s primary opponent — former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown — issued a statement decrying algae blooms in the St. Johns River, and linking Lawson to […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 13, 2018

Friday saw Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, in Jacksonville pushing his “Florida Military and Veterans First Agenda.” Among the planks to that agenda: expanding nursing home beds and offering veterans’ support hotlines; extending homestead exemptions to surviving spouses, and “protecting and growing” the military; and protecting the Joint Gulf Range and Jacksonville Range […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2018

On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott chose a Democrat (Ju’Coby Pittman) and Republican (Terrance Freeman) to replace indicted and suspended Jacksonville City Council members, Katrina and Reggie Brown. On Thursday afternoon, in the Jacksonville City Council Chamber, they were sworn in to fill the Browns’ terms, pending resolution of the fraud charges facing them. Yet, more drama is likely to come […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2018

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Thursday saw Gov. Rick Scott issue an executive order protecting the public’s access to the beaches, days after two women left a Fort Walton Beach after law enforcement invoked a beach-access restriction bill, HB 631, to ask them to leave. The theory behind the enforcement action: that parts of what were formerly considered public beaches by customary use were […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2018

Jacksonville’s body camera program, launched in pilot phase last summer, is now on pause. The issue currently: procurement. The open question: how long the process takes. The Florida Times-Union reported Thursday that 200 officers will get cameras in 2019. “Once the procurement process is complete, JSO will use the awarded funds to acquire and deploy […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2018

Ahead of a Friday visit from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to endorse Congressman Al Lawson in the Democratic Primary in Florida’s 5th Congressional District, former Jacksonville Mayor Jake Godbold endorsed another former mayor, Alvin Brown, for the seat. Brown, mounting a challenge to Lawson, sees this as a key endorsement. In a short video, Godbold said he’ll be […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2018

Televisions throughout Florida will be treated, starting Thursday, to a new ad from Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, a Democratic candidate for Governor. Via the Levine campaign press shop: “With less than fifty days left until the primary election, backed by a more than $1 million ad buy airing in markets across Florida, the Levine for Governor campaign is releasing a new TV spot today, ‘Getting […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2018

A common thread in uncompetitive Jacksonville City Council races: June checks from the owner of a certain local NFL franchise. In District 2, challenger Jack Daniels has $115 on hand. The perpetual challenger is not exactly keeping pace with incumbent Republican Al Ferraro. Ferraro, a Mayor Lenny Curry ally, brought in $5,825 in June alone, with donations from Shad Khan […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 11, 2018

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Wednesday saw Sen. Marco Rubio endorse Lehigh Acres Rep. Matt Caldwell in the GOP primary for Agriculture Commissioner. The media release stressed each man’s conservative credentials, a logical move ahead of the August election. “As the most conservative candidate in the race for Commissioner of Agriculture,” Rubio said, “Matt Caldwell has been an unwavering supporter of the […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 11, 2018

Tuesday saw Democrat Ju’Coby Pittman and Republican Terrance Freeman appointed to the Jacksonville City Council by Gov. Rick Scott. They will be sworn in at 3 p.m. Thursday, in Council Chambers. The appointments were necessitated by the June suspension of incumbent Democrats Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown, after an indictment on a scheme to defraud. Pittman isn’t saying […]

A.G. Gancarski

Alvin Brown decries algae blooms, says Al Lawson is a Big Sugar pawn

As GOP Governor’s race tightens, Adam Putnam messages on veterans’ issues

Terrance Freeman residency questions loom over Jacksonville City Council installation

Back to the beach: Rick Scott issues order protecting public access

Body cameras to be back on Jacksonville police sooner than expected

Jake Godbold endorses Alvin Brown in CD 5

‘Getting It Done’: New Philip Levine $1M ad buy hits education, health care notes

Is Shad Khan picking winners in Jacksonville City Council races?

Marco Rubio backs Matt Caldwell for Ag Commissioner

Ju’Coby Pittman, Terrance Freeman would face little fundraising challenge in Jacksonville City Council bids