Local

Drew WilsonDecember 10, 2015

Republican Reps. Matt Hudson and Kathleen Passidomo brought in five-figure hauls for their SD23 campaigns last month, while businessman Gary Price fizzled after months of strong fundraising. Hudson’s numbers are his best since February, and bring his to-date contribution total to more than $341,000. The term-limited representative has also kept expenses to a minimum, spending […]

Drew WilsonDecember 10, 2015

Republican Bay County Commissioner George Gainer passed Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz in fundraising in October, and the gap between the two Senate District 1 candidates got a bit wider last month, according to recently filed campaign finance reports. Gainer posted $42,285 in November contributions and spent $57,313, leaving him with $557,747 on-hand heading into December. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 10, 2015

In November, HD 18 GOP incumbent Travis Cummings raised just over $14,000, bringing his total up to $135,350. Cummings has spent, in total, $35,650, giving him almost $100,000 to work with in a campaign without meaningful competition. Big Pharma brought Cummings big dollars in November, with $4,500 from that sector, including companies like Pfizer and Merck. PACs, […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 10, 2015

In a crowded HD 11 race, every endorsement counts. And Sheri Treadwell got one on Thursday from Jacksonville political veteran Jim Overton. Overton, a three term Property Appraiser and former City Council member, said Treadwell was the “the kind of fresh voice we need in Tallahassee.” “With Jim Overton’s leadership experience in local government, he knows our […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 10, 2015

A referendum sunk the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. And a group of 19 African-American Jacksonville pastors, at a Thursday afternoon news conference at the First Timothy Baptist Church on Jacksonville’s Northside, stated their opposition to an expanded Human Rights Ordinance, while saying that any ballot measure on such should be handled by popular referendum. In […]

Ryan RayDecember 10, 2015

Rep. Ray Pilon took in a moderate haul last month in his campaign to retain his Sarasota-based House District 72 seat, raising $6,850 during the November reporting period according to recently submitted campaign finance data. The contributions take the third-term Republican to $96,275 raised overall so far, with $66,438 of that remaining on hand. Pilon, a Sarasota […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 10, 2015

On Wednesday evening, former Jacksonville mayoral candidate and current Jax Chamber Chairwoman-elect Audrey Moran, at Intuition Ale Works in North Riverside, made the case for expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance. Moran, who has been unstinting in this case for years, spoke at a Jacksonville Coalition for Equality “Happy Hour” event, opening her remarks with […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 9, 2015

Bruce Jones, the Senior Pastor at Southside United Methodist Church, is an imposing figure, standing over 6 foot tall and resembling a cross between Walter White of “Breaking Bad” and Gus Bradley. Reverend Jones is not the kind of man who seeks publicity, unlike some other Jacksonville pastors and preachers. He’s a thoughtful, introspective man, albeit one […]

Julie DelegalDecember 9, 2015

First the lobbyist from the Florida Charter School Alliance wanted to meet with a sitting Duval School Board member — privately. But when former Duval School Board Chairwoman Becki Couch suggested they “notice” the meeting and invite her fellow school board members to join them, lobbyist Ralph Arza said no. He asked her again to […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 9, 2015

In 2012, Jacksonville General Counsel Cindy Laquidara decided that JEA had the power to raise its employees’ pay. Laquidara was quoted in The Florida Times-Union at the time as saying “the city used to be the employer; the facts changed but the charter language did not.” Fast-forward to 2015. Jacksonville has a new General Counsel, […]

Local

Matt Hudson, Kathleen Passidomo raise big for SD 23 in November, opponent fizzles

Matt Gaetz falls behind as George Gainer widens fundraising gap in SD 1 race

Travis Cummings has 3rd straight 5-figure fundraising month in HD 18

Jim Overton endorses Sheri Treadwell in HD 11

African American Jax pastors call for HRO expansion referendum

Ray Pilon raises $6,850 in November for HD 72 re-election campaign

Audrey Moran issues Jax HRO “call to action”

Lenny Curry’s pastor: HRO passage is a “no brainer”

Julie Delegal: 3 Duval School Board members should get ready for hardball

Jax General Counsel deems City Council “appropriative” body in JEA pay negotiations