Local

Bill RuftyAugust 19, 2015

Democrats in Polk County have been working feverously to attract a local big name to one of the Florida Legislature seats they’d like to win next year. With courteous phone calls and pleasantries, the party’s selection committee has been courting former Circuit Judge Robert Doyel to challenge Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel of Lakeland for […]

Phil AmmannAugust 18, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott named Jacksonville business and real estate attorney Gary Wilkinson to the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court. Wilkinson, 56, has been a shareholder at Bledsoe, Jacobson, Schmidt, Wright, Wilkinson & Sussman since 2006. His experience includes secured lending and lender liability; debtor/creditor rights; trade secrets; non-compete agreements and business contracts; as well as trust, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2015

On Monday night, the Republican Party of Duval County elected Lake Ray as its new chairman, replacing Robin Lumb. Having heard that former mayoral candidate Bill Bishop was at the REC meeting, I was curious about his thoughts regarding both chairmen. So I texted him. Bishop, as almost invariably has been the case when I’ve asked him a […]

Frank TorresAugust 18, 2015

The Orange County Republican Executive Committee will consider establishing an independent campaign account to protect its local elected leaders from financial retaliation related to the ongoing feud over who will be Speaker of the Florida House at the beginning of the next decade. The proposal stems from the conflict between state Reps. Eric Eisnaugle, projected to be […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2015

In Jacksonville, the political game is a sport with stops and starts. At the end of Tuesday afternoon’s Charlotte’s Web workshop, it was mentioned that the workshop may reconvene in a month. The workshop occasioned some interesting discussion, which was, according to palliative care nurses in the audience, demonstrative of a lack of real understanding […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2015

The Tuesday afternoon joint Charlotte’s Web workshop between Jacksonville’s Planning Commission and Land Use and Zoning drew few people. A few nurses and a smattering of other interested parties showed to discuss 2015-485, an ordinance establishing a partial moratorium on cultivation for 90 days (banned except in agricultural zones) and a full 120-day moratorium on […]

Frank TorresAugust 18, 2015

Orlando State Sen. Geraldine Thompson announced her intentions of running for Congress in the newly drawn Florida 10th Congressional District on Tuesday, setting up a high-drama Democratic primary with former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings. Under newly proposed maps, both candidates have a good chance of defeating incumbent Daniel Webster. Demings lost to Webster in 2012, becoming […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2015

The Republican Party of Duval County elected Lake Ray III as its new party chair last night. Obviously, the majority of the party believes that’s a good thing. Joining those voices: former mayoral candidate and two-term City Councilman, Bill Bishop, who contrasted the new chair with the old one. “Robin presided over a very divisive period for […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2015

The last Rules Committee meeting of the Jacksonville City Council in August had an appointment-heavy agenda, yet there was room also to address two major issues. Included on the agenda: 2015-508, which increases fines on unlicensed contractors to bring it in line with state recommendations; and 2015-522, a bill addressing emergency roadway clearance and post-disaster […]

Frank TorresAugust 18, 2015

A grassroots pro-life group rallied at the downtown Orlando offices of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson Tuesday morning to encourage ending funding for Planned Parenthood. About 60 protesters from a group calling itself “Women Betrayed” held signs and called for action by elected officials to stop giving resources to the group, which has come under fire about recent allegations of human […]

Local

Bill Rufty: A challenger for Kelli Stargel? Growing pains for Lakeland

Gov. Scott appoints Jax attorney Gary Wilkinson to the Fourth Circuit Court

Bill Bishop versus the Duval REC

Orange County GOP looks to protect incumbents from House speakership feud

Jax LUZ OKs Charlotte’s Web moratorium

Jax Charlotte’s Web workshop resolves few issues, draws minimal public interest

Orange Dems like Val Demings, but prefer Geraldine Thompson in upcoming CD 10 primary

Alex Pantinakis disappointed in Bill Bishop REC Chair comments

Contractors, disaster prep on agenda in Jax Rules committee

Pro-life group protests Planned Parenthood at Bill Nelson’s Orlando office