Local

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

After Friday’s announcement by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry that further legislation expanding the Human Rights Ordinance wouldn’t be “prudent,” a surprising thing to media observers was the seeming cover provided Curry by activists on the other side. Part of that cover was Curry actually taking a material step forward in offering employment protections to city employees […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 4, 2016

Republican Congressional District 18 candidate Rebecca Negron launches a new campaign ad Thursday highlighting her conservative bona fides, her campaign said. “Washington is out of touch, and I think it is high-time that we send Washington a message,” Negron said. “I’ve been working in the Treasure Coast community for 40 years, supporting churches and helping […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 3, 2016

A third Democrat entered the race to take over for termed-out Democratic Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda last week, setting up another obstacle for former Rep. Loranne Ausley. Joshua Johnson entered the race on Jan. 29, and joins Ausley and Arnitta Jane Grice-Walker in pursuit of the Democratic nomination in the left-leaning District 9 seat. Ausley, who held the Leon […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In the 2015 May election, Tommy Hazouri was the leading citywide vote getter. The former mayor was buoyed by an interesting coalition: voters who remembered his tenure as mayor with fondness, along with young people energized by his proactive stance on Human Rights Ordinance expansion. His appeal crossed party lines; his messaging hit the same […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

Ahead of the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, anti-HRO activists from Florida Family Policy Council planned a press conference ahead of the event. One problem, however: facilities problems. With rain forecast for Jacksonville for Thursday afternoon, a press conference in Hemming Park was out of the question. The question, from there was a presser […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In a meeting Wednesday, Councilman John Crescimbeni criticized the Committee of the Whole process on HRO expansion, which runs through March 3. “Whether [I was] for it or against it, I likely wouldn’t drag it out until [March] 3rd,” Crescimbeni said when asked about the HRO by Tommy Hazouri. His opposition to the protracted process pertaining to […]

Melissa RossFebruary 3, 2016

The city of Jacksonville is no longer taking part in the Rockefeller Foundation’s “100 Resilient Cities” Initiative. The program awards cities around the world $1 million grants to address issues such as sea level rise and extreme weather. Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown applied for the grant and received it, but under the Lenny Curry […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 3, 2016

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House Democratic hopeful Lisa Montelione is bashing House District 60 Republican Shawn Harrison for his vote on an abortion rights bill Tuesday. Harrison was one of eight Republicans on the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee voting in support of a bill that would effectively cut off state funding for women’s health organizations such as Planned Parenthood […]

Scott PowersFebruary 3, 2016

Former Orlando police chief Val Demings holds a 20-point edge over her nearest rival in the Democratic race for Orlando-based Congressional District 10, in a poll her campaign commissioned from Public Policy Polling and released Wednesday. The poll, taken Jan. 26-28 of 506 likely Democratic primary voters, finds that Demings has high name recognition, stronger […]

Scott PowersFebruary 3, 2016

Dennis Lemma, retiring Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger’s chief deputy and hand-picked successor, has qualified for the ballot through petition, his campaign announced. Lemma, 44, of Oviedo, is a 23-year veteran of the Seminole sheriff’s force and former U.S. Marine. The Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Office certified more than the necessary 2,600 certified voters on […]

Local

Cold war developing between anti-HRO Jax clergymen and Lenny Curry

New Rebecca Negron CD 18 ad sends Washington a message

3rd Democrat enters HD 9 race for 2016

Tommy Hazouri contemplates leadership, legacy, and the HRO

Anti-HRO presser hits scheduling snag

John Crescimbeni throws cold water on HRO process: “damage to reputation of city”

Jacksonville drops out of “100 Resilient Cities” initiative

Lisa Montelione blasts Shawn Harrison on abortion bill

Val Demings’ poll shows her with commanding lead in CD 10 Democrats’ race

Dennis Lemma qualifies for ballot in Seminole sheriff race