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

Melissa RossJune 8, 2015

As Florida legislators try to iron out their differences over the state’s major budget items, advocates for Florida’s nearly 1 million uninsured are speaking out about Friday’s House vote rejecting the Senate’s Medicaide expansion compromise. “It really is kind of a dire situation,” said Sarah Sullivan, director of Florida Coastal School of Law’s Disability and Public […]

Melissa RossJune 5, 2015

Even though the election isn’t until November 2016, the prognosticating around North Florida is already well underway as State Attorney Angela Corey files for a third term representing Clay, Duval and Nassau counties in the state’s 4th Circuit. The two questions political observers have are these: Can the other filed candidate, former Assistant State Attorney Wes White, […]

Melissa RossJune 3, 2015

As the state’s Medicaid fight continues to get national attention, UF Health Jax CEO Russ Armistead remains steadfast and vocal in his insistence that a solution must be found, and quickly, to Florida’s healthcare funding crisis — or else North Florida’s only safety net hospital will close its doors. “I think people don’t believe it […]

Melissa RossMay 28, 2015

Jacksonville’s mayor’s race may have just wrapped up, but Lenny Curry’s win has Floridians of all political stripes already prognosticating about the upcoming presidential race here in 2016. And Florida remains the swingiest of swing states, with its 29 coveted electoral votes eyed by operatives and donors as the ultimate prize for the nominees. “This […]

Melissa RossMay 27, 2015

“There are two things that are important in politics,” Mark Hanna, the late GOP U.S. senator from Ohio, once said. “The first is money, and I can’t remember what the second one is.” Most political observers across the state agree Lenny Curry beat Alvin Brown in the recent Jacksonville mayor’s race for several reasons. Topping […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

In the nationally watched race for Jacksonville mayor, Alvin Brown lost to Lenny Curry for three main reasons, says UNF political science professor Matt Corrigan. Here are his takeaways: Campaign Data and Discipline “First, Brown was up against a determined opponent who ran a well-financed, data-driven, targeted campaign,” says Corrigan. “The Brown camp got started late […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels is no stranger to controversy, but you can’t argue with her ability to spark discussion. Case in point: Daniels has taken to posting pictures of her dirty feet on Facebook as she pounds the pavement in her run for re-election. The word “Selah” is Hebrew and loosely translated, means “pause and […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland is segueing from a successful tenure in the SOE office to becoming Jacksonville’s new Property Appraiser. He’s going out with the same reputation for efficiency he began with in the office, spending Election Day tracking returns, reminding voters to make sure they hit their correct precinct, and giving […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

Duval County Sheriff John Rutherford has been a vocal critic of Mayor Alvin Brown and a supporter of his hand-picked successor Mike Williams in the Jacksonville mayor and sheriff’s races. Tuesday morning though, Rutherford turned an eye toward the next election cycle, revealing for the first time his next move as he leaves the Jacksonville […]

Melissa RossMay 18, 2015

Public safety has emerged as a major issue in Jacksonville’s superclose mayor’s race, with incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown defending his approach to this core function of government, while challenger Lenny Curry has hammered Brown’s administration on the issue of violent crime. A recent school bus shooting incident reinforced the narrative. In particular, the Curry campaign has […]

Melissa Ross

“It really is a dire situation,” say advocates for state’s uninsured

Angela Corey’s re-election campaign takes shape

UF Health Jax CEO: We need an independent taxing district

Susan McManus: 2016 race will see record spending in Florida

Marty Fiorentino on Lenny Curry money machine: “We stuck together”

Matt Corrigan’s first draft on why Alvin Brown lost

Kimberly Daniels gets dirty feet on the campaign trail

SOE Jerry Holland: Expect at least 40 percent turnout on Jax Election Day

Sheriff John Rutherford confirms he’s running for Ron DeSantis seat

Public safety accusations fly on Election Eve in Jacksonville