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

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. GancarskiJune 26, 2018

Many political watchers note that Congressman Al Lawson and former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, both running in the Blue Dog-heavy 5th Congressional District, have more similarities than differences. Perhaps with that in mind, the campaigns both went on offense Tuesday. Lawson trumpeted an endorsement in Brown’s hometown, via the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters, which joined the local […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2018

Tuesday in Jacksonville saw Gov. Rick Scott address the travel ban upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Decried as a “Muslim ban” by critics, President Donald Trump nonetheless is upholding the ban on travel from Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen as essential to national security. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1011620271327989760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffloridapolitics.com%2Farchives%2F267333-curbelo-travel-ban-discontinue-misguided-policy The Supreme Court backed Trump’s play by a 5-4 […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott suspended two Jacksonville City Council Democrats, Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown, June 1, after the federal government indicted the duo for a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration. Since then, applications have poured in for the Governor’s perusal, and the latest list shows many veteran politicians with an urge to serve. Among the latest applicants […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2018

Duval County School Board member Scott Shine has been so frustrated with the governing body that he decided not to run for re-election. On his way off the board this year, Shine issued a stunning charge: namely, that the district is cooking the books when it comes to student test scores. “A-F grades are designed to […]

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

Alvin Brown, Al Lawson exchange jabs in CD 5 primary clash

Rick Scott on travel ban: ‘The president’s job is to keep us all safe’

Rick Scott still mulling Jacksonville City Council appointments

Duval School Board member says district ‘gaming the system’ with test scores