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

A.G. GancarskiMay 22, 2018

For those interested in Jacksonville area political sightings, the tony River Club will be the place to be Tuesday evening. Sen. Travis Hutson will be supported at a fundraising reception for his First Coast Business Foundation, and Mayor Lenny Curry will be the special guest at an event heavy on names of prominent politicos, donors, and lobbyists. […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 21, 2018

A major regional endorsement, via Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, went to Mike Waltz in the three-way GOP primary in Florida’s 6th Congressional District Monday. Curry and Waltz share some of the same political advisers, and judging from the quotes of mutual admiration, there is ideological affinity as well. “Michael Waltz is a leader and a warrior with a […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 21, 2018

Former Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Hazouri, running as a Democrat in a Republican year, got more votes than any other citywide candidate in the 2015 City Council election. In addition to being mayor for four years (1987-91), Hazouri has also served as a State Legislator and a member of the Duval County School Board. However, prominence on […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 21, 2018

Jacksonville’s latest Inspector General, James Hoffman, used six sentences in a terse resignation letter submitted late Friday to end his twelve-month tenure. Hoffman is the second permanent inspector general to leave the role in recent years – and the second one to last a year or less. “I would like to thank you for the trust placed […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 21, 2018

Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche told a Council special committee Thursday that she had yet to get answers to questions to the JEA board regarding the hire of interim CEO Aaron Zahn. The questions included documentation of the selection process, SOP on employee screening, employee screening on Zahn, documentation of meetings between Zahn and board members after […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 21, 2018

John Ward, a Republican running to succeed Ron DeSantis in Florida’s 6th Congressional District, is just beginning to get his campaign into top gear. Ward released his first television ad this week, a 30-second spot in which he branded himself as a “constitutional conservative.” And before that, the Massachusetts transplant showed a clear willingness to put resources […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 18, 2018

Friday afternoon brought Sen. Bill Nelson to Jacksonville for various events, including a fundraiser at Baptist Health, a nod to facing the staunchest challenge of his political career from Republican Gov. Rick Scott. “Scott for Florida” has spent $3.2 million on ads just this week, and $8 million since the Governor entered the race. So Nelson is […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2018

The Jacksonville City Council’s special committee on the future of JEA contemplated a light agenda Thursday, a marked contrast to the pitched pyrotechnics of the panel’s bygone conclaves. One highlight: Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche addressing the panel, just days after JEA Board member Fred Newbill questioned her motivation in inquiring as to the board’s process in […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2018

The city of Jacksonville’s approach to handling public records has taken criticism from multiple sides in the last week. Among the charges: that the city is contravening the letter and the spirit of open government by slow-walking requests, by vetting seemingly problematic applications with affected officials before fulfilling them, by claiming exemptions from disclosure, by […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2018

Friction and fractiousness continued in Jacksonville City Hall this week, with City Council Finance Chair Garrett Dennis calling a public-notice meeting to express concerns about potential Sunshine Law violations in the race for the Council presidency. Council Vice President Aaron Bowman charged Dennis with trying to talk multiple Councilors into vacating their pledges to back Bowman, who is […]

A.G. Gancarski

Northeast Florida political elite to helm Travis Hutson committee fundraiser

Lenny Curry backs Mike Waltz for Congress

Against the odds? Tommy Hazouri chases Jacksonville City Council VP slot

Another Jacksonville Inspector General resigns, continued challenge for watchdog role

JEA Board chair rebuffs questions about controversial interim CEO hire

John Ward stakes out the Trump lane in CD 6 primary

Bill Nelson confronts Rick Scott, restive base as campaign ramps up

Jacksonville City Council JEA committee talks Aaron Zahn selection, November straw ballot

Lenny Curry, Jacksonville officials defend handling of public records requests

Jacksonville ‘Sunshine Law’ flap piques prosecutors’ interest