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

Melissa RossMay 15, 2015

They’ve participated in dozens of forums together over a long and, at times, bitterly fought campaign. Thursday night’s televised debate was the final bout between Jacksonville sheriff candidates Ken Jefferson and Mike Williams, with both men looking to land a roundhouse or two before the Tuesday runoff election. The debate, held on the FSCJ South […]

Melissa RossMay 14, 2015

The Jacksonville political scene is being treated to Endorsapalooza in the final days before the city’s runoff election on Tuesday, as a slew of bold-faced names take sides in the Brown/Curry slugfest. And the two men at the top of the ticket are hunting big game in the endorsement stakes. Lenny Curry has bagged former […]

Melissa RossMay 13, 2015

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown has sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell “requesting direct discussions” with HHS to prevent closing UF Health in Jacksonville. “Jacksonville and other communities with safety-net hospitals must not be held hostage by the actions or inactions of decision-makers in Tallahassee,” Brown writes. A copy of the […]

Melissa RossMay 13, 2015

As the U.S. and Cuba edge closer to an agreement to restore full diplomatic ties, a retired State Department official who served as the senior diplomat in Cuba says Florida is well-positioned to take advantage of the historic changes. “There is this tremendous yearning in Cuba for changes to happen to allow people to have […]

Melissa RossMay 12, 2015

He’s a retired optometrist, but Wayne Wood is a bold-faced name in Jacksonville for pursuits that go far beyond medicine. Wood is the founder of Riverside Avondale Preservation and the Riverside Arts Market. He’s the driving force behind the new Friends of Hemming Park. And he’s a noted author and local historian. Described by some political observers […]

Melissa RossMay 11, 2015

The Rev. Gene Youngblood, father of Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 3 candidate Geoff Youngblood, says a message posted on the marquee outside his First Conservative Baptist Church is “reacting to current events” and corresponds to Scripture. The sign reads “Homosexuals must repent or go to Hell.” It has sparked a petition response at the website […]

Melissa RossMay 10, 2015

With just ten days left until the May 19th runoff election, Mayor Alvin Brown and his former opponent, Jacksonville City Councilman Bill Bishop, have hit the streets together in the first of several canvassing operations the duo is expected to conduct leading up to Election Day. First stop: Riverside/Avondale, the hipster historic neighborhood Bishop won […]

Melissa RossMay 8, 2015

Jacksonville City Councilman and third-place mayoral finisher Bill Bishop again denied any quid pro quo was discussed with either Mayor Alvin Brown or Lenny Curry before awarding his endorsement to Brown last week. “I get a kick out of that,” said Bishop during an appearance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect. “What I first said is I […]

Melissa RossMay 7, 2015

Florida environmental groups say they’ll keep fighting after an administrative law judge approved a plan for a cattle operation they say threatens the state’s iconic Silver Springs and the Ocklawaha River Aquatic Preserve. “The 9,500 head of cattle planned … will produce nearly 158 million pounds of manure and 11 million gallons of urine per year. […]

Melissa RossMay 6, 2015

Cooler heads will likely prevail as the Florida House and Senate troop back to Tallahassee in June. So says influential Jacksonville lobbyist and consultant Marty Fiorentino. “I think the Legislature will come back in Special Session and create a budget that’s good for Florida,” he said. “The leadership of both the House and Senate will […]

Melissa Ross

Jax sheriff candidates enter ring for final round of debate

Endorsements may loom large in tight Jax mayoral race

Email insights: Alvin Brown requests “direct discussion” with HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell

“Tremendous yearning for change” in Cuba means business opportunities for Florida

Wayne Wood endorses Alvin Brown: “We cannot afford to hire a rookie”

Minister, father of Jax City Council candidate, defends “homophobic” sign

Alvin Brown, Bill Bishop go door-knocking

Bill Bishop: No quid pro quo on mayor’s race, no ads on arena

Environmentalists vow to fight ruling they say threatens Silver Springs

Marty Fiorentino: June Special Session should get results