Local

A.G. GancarskiMay 18, 2016

Is Jacksonville ready for slot machines? bestbet, the Jacksonville-based gambling concern, believes so. Tia Mitchell reported in the Florida Times-Union Wednesday that “Legislation has been filed with the Jacksonville City Council to put a referendum on the November ballot on whether to authorize slot machines at bestbet’s facility in Arlington.” The bill, filed Wednesday by Councilman Aaron […]

Drew WilsonMay 18, 2016

Bill-Herrle-presents-Senator-Brandes-with-NFIB-Guardian-of-Small-Business-Award-e1463607573648-3500x5000.jpg

Small-business group NFIB/Florida named St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes a “Guardian of Small Business” during a luncheon Wednesday. “As a small-business owner, I have seen firsthand the impact of burdensome government regulations,” Brandes said after accepting the award. “Small businesses are the backbone of our community. We should cut taxes and eliminate unnecessary red […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 18, 2016

The Congressional District 5 Democratic primary between incumbent Corrine Brown and challenger Al Lawson is heating up, with Lawson in Jacksonville Thursday and Friday. Both Jacksonville appearances for Lawson will be at the University Club on the Southbank. Thursday evening finds Lawson holding a meet and greet at 6 p.m. “As a former state Senator, Al has […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2016

Republican Geoffrey LaGarde has filed to run in the Orlando-based Congressional District 10 race. If LaGarde qualifies — and he said he intends to do so by petition — it could force a Republican primary in that district with businesswoman Thuy Lowe of Sorrento. LaGarde, 34, is a master sergeant in the Air Force Reserves, currently active, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 18, 2016

Kathleen Passidomo has earned the backing of the Collier County Medical Society PAC. The Collier County organization announced Wednesday it was endorsing the Naples Republican in her Senate District 28 bid. “Rep. Passidomo has been a great champion for our profession,” Dr. Rolando Rivera, chairman of the Collier County Medical Society PAC, said in a […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 18, 2016

Charles Van Zant, the Clay County school district’s superintendent, sounded a note of defiance this week in response to the Barack Obama administration linking Title IX funding with permitting transgender students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. “This directive from the Obama administration does not carry the force of law, and you can […]

Drew WilsonMay 18, 2016

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced Wednesday that she brought in a new office manager and made other staffing changes in her Tampa district office. “Every year, my Tampa office handles hundreds of constituent services cases to assist individuals, businesses and organizations as they try to navigate the various federal agencies,” the Tampa Democrat said. “From […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott‘s two-day summit to link education to jobs set for Orlando next week will feature many Florida college, business and Republican leaders as well as the football coaches from the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of Miami. The Degrees to Jobs Summit, set for May 25 and 26 at […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2016

Democrat Mike Clelland became the first local candidate to go up on the airwaves in Orlando Wednesday with a television ad highlighting his firefighter background for his Senate District 13 race. The 30-second commercial, “Blaring”, is designed to introduce Clelland to the area, according to his campaign. It begins with scenes of firetrucks and firefighters […]

Ryan RayMay 18, 2016

Rep. Matt Gaetz says his campaign has rustled up enough petitions to qualify for the 1st Congressional District ballot, well ahead of a late June deadline. Gaetz put out a statement to mark the occasion. “I want to thank the enthusiastic army of volunteers who helped us collect petition signatures across Northwest Florida. We are running a […]

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bestbet bet on 10 of 19 Jacksonville City Council members last election

Independent business group honors Jeff Brandes as ‘Guardian of Small Business’

CD 5 Democrat Al Lawson will campaign in Jacksonville this week

Republican Geoff LaGarde enters CD 10 race

Collier County Medical Society PAC endorses Kathleen Passidomo in SD 28 bid

Equality Florida to mobilize against Clay County school district bathroom policy

Personnel note: Kathy Castor adds new office manager, Tampa office changes

Rick Scott’s Degrees To Jobs Summit to feature football coaches

Mike Clelland debuts TV commercial in SD 13 race

Matt Gaetz qualifies by petition in CD 1