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

A.G. GancarskiAugust 6, 2018

Alvin Brown, challenging U.S. Rep. Al Lawson in the Democratic primary in Florida’s 5th Congressional District, scored some key endorsements from The Florida Education Association and Duval Teachers United Monday. Interestingly, Brown spotlighted a different position on one key issue than Lawson in accepting the endorsements. “Unfortunately,” Brown said, “there’s a long-running trend toward giving for-profit […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 6, 2018

An ad released Monday by U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, a Republican candidate for governor, reminds Florida voters of the central distinction between him and opponent Adam Putnam. Namely, the President backs DeSantis. The 30 second spot begins with stentorian music, and Trump enumerating DeSantis’ virtues: “A true leader, a proud veteran, a tough, brilliant cookie … Ron […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 6, 2018

It is rare that a Jacksonville City Council resolution gets four committee stops, but such is the case with 2018-429, a resolution of disinclination to sell local publicly owned utility JEA. It is even rarer that a bill can’t get a second to move into consideration. That was the case in Monday’s Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 6, 2018

Ordinance 2018-75, which would revise existing medical cannabis regulations, moved out of its first of two Jacksonville City Council committees Monday. The code was first formulated in response to “Charlotte’s Web” low-THC cannabis being the single legal strain, and after an extended period of debate, processing and dispensing were allowed in commercial districts, with cultivation permitted […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 6, 2018

Two powerful Northeast Florida Senators, Appropriations Chair Rob Bradley and Regulated Industries Chair Travis Hutson, spent big in late July as part of an effort to maintain the Republican majority in the chamber. On July 25, Bradley’s “Working for Florida’s Families” committee moved $150,000 to the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, the vast majority of the committee’s […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 3, 2018

In an ad released Friday, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine spotlighed his willingness to take on President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association. The script juxtaposes Trump’s fealty to the gun lobby with Levine’s willingness to stand as opposition. The ad comes a day after the final Democratic gubernatorial debate, which saw Levine and opponent Jeff […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 3, 2018

Senate Minority Leader-designate Audrey Gibson, a Jacksonville Democrat, submitted her petition to call the Legislature into special session to address problems with the “Stand Your Ground” law. “Today I signed a letter to Secretary of State Ken Detzner to poll members of the Legislature for a special session to amend or repeal the ‘Stand Your Ground’ provisions […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 3, 2018

Hours after the 1st District Court of Appeal sided with Gov. Rick Scott in his desire to appoint the successor for Judge Robert Foster, the Governor announced last week that Duval County Judge Lester Bass would be his pick if the Florida Supreme Court doesn’t overrule the appeal. On Friday, Jacksonville lawyer David Trotti, who had appealed the district court’s rulingto […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 3, 2018

As the likelihood of Ron DeSantis winning the Republican nomination in the Florida Governor’s race increases, one wonders how general election audiences will receive some of his more controversial right-wing ties. One such tie: Conservative bomb-thrower Dinesh D’Souza. During an appearance Friday on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, D’Souza told a national audience that DeSantis gave him his FBI file. […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 3, 2018

Florida Grown, a political committee supporting Adam Putnam‘s run for Florida Governor, released a hard-hitting ad Friday spotlighting opponent Ron DeSantis‘ “betrayal” of Florida. The charge: “Why did he sell Florida out? Because the real Ron DeSantis is part of the Washington swamp, working for one of the largest lobbying firms in America… taking a million dollars […]

A.G. Gancarski
Bear Creek Forest Florida Forever Project | Photo by Lauren Yoho/Wildpath. Image via FL DEP.

Accepting teacher endorsements, Alvin Brown decries charter schools … but takes Gary Chartrand’s money

‘Tough cookie’: Ron DeSantis reminds Florida voters who Donald Trump backs for governor

JEA ‘no-sale’ bill appears to be ‘black flag dead’ in Jacksonville City Council

Jacksonville City Council panel approves cannabis code change

Rob Bradley, Travis Hutson committees spending big to keep Senate red

Philip Levine spotlights opposition to NRA, Donald Trump in latest TV spot

Audrey Gibson wants ‘Stand Your Ground’ special session

Lester Bass appointment to 4th circuit court still in flux after Supreme Court stay

Dinesh D’Souza got his FBI file from Ron DeSantis

Adam Putnam ad spotlights Ron DeSantis ‘betrayal’ of Florida