Melissa Ross, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossOctober 27, 2015

A chastened Tennessee pastor and nonprofit CEO has promised to make a laundry list of fixes at a troubled Jacksonville Section 8 housing complex after media reports uncovered deplorable conditions at the city’s notorious Westside Eureka Garden complex. “I am not a slumlord,” said the Rev. Richard Hamlet during an appearance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect. […]

Melissa RossOctober 26, 2015

In an email to supporters and media outlets, the Florida Family Policy Council is urging Governor Rick Scott to follow Texas’ lead in defunding Planned Parenthood in the state. “Texas has done exactly what we are asking Governor Rick Scott to do in Florida: namely completely defunding Planned Parenthood and stopping any more taxpayer funds from […]

Melissa RossOctober 24, 2015

Melissa RossOctober 24, 2015

While thousands packed the Jacksonville Landing to hear Donald Trump speak, outside the scene was a colorful, #OnlyinDuval spectacle, marked by protesters, police presence, and the wrapup of a Saturday morning breast cancer rally. The anti-Trump signs showed up bright and early, led by a “Dump the Trump” banner, unfurled by the group Eyes Open […]

Melissa RossOctober 22, 2015

Transitioning from the Republican to the Democratic side of the aisle, 25-year-old Jared Rosenstein is wining raves for his work on the staff of another Jared, state Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Coral Springs. “I got into politics during the 2008 presidential election. I was proudly supporting Sen. John McCain and I discovered that the vast majority of […]

Melissa RossOctober 21, 2015

An emailed report from the National Immigration Justice Center (NIJC) claims widespread abuse of detained immigrants at the Baker County Detention Center. The report, “Lives in Peril: How Ineffective Inspections Make ICE Complicit in Immigration Detention Abuse” was released by the National Immigration Justice Center (NIJC) and Detention Watch Network (DWN). The report draws on information […]

Melissa RossOctober 20, 2015

With mad digital content management skills and a passion for new media, 26-year-old Jordan Gibson is passionate about her work as digital director for the Republican Party of Florida. “I was raised around campaigns, even waving signs at a young age. So, combining my creative talents with my love for politics has been a natural direction,” says […]

Melissa RossOctober 20, 2015

In an email to supporters and media outlets, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality reminds stakeholders that “10 is the magic number.” And the message goes on to name-check this website in its campaign to press Jacksonville City Council members to update the city’s human rights ordinance to cover LGBT citizens. “It will take the votes […]

Melissa RossOctober 19, 2015

At the ripe old age of 29, Contribution Link’s William Arnold already has built a reputation as a data wizard. Originally from Jacksonville, Arnold got his start in politics working for former Jacksonville City Councilman Stephen Joost while he was still in college. He then moved on to stints under Rick Scott and Adam Hollingsworth, […]

Melissa RossOctober 19, 2015

A new poll shows Donald Trump still leads among Florida’s Republican primary voters, taking 21 percent of the vote if the election were held today, with Ben Carson closing in at 19 percent. The new University of North Florida statewide poll shows Marco Rubio coming in third with 14 percent and Jeb Bush at a […]

Melissa Ross

Eureka Garden chief: “I am not a slumlord”

Email insights: Florida Family Policy Council says follow Texas’ lead, defund Planned Parenthood

Outside the Donald Trump rally, in pictures

Protestors have their say outside Donald Trump rally in Jacksonville

Meet Jared Rosenstein, one of the “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

Email insights: Report details immigrant abuse at Baker County Detention Center

“30 Under 30”: The fresh faces of the RPOF: Jordan Gibson, Wadi Gaitan, and Clay Barker

Email insights: Jax Coalition for Equality says bipartisan HRO support “is growing”

Meet William Arnold, one of the “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

UNF Poll: Donald Trump holds slight Florida lead