Local

Scott PowersMay 11, 2016

In a contest to succeed her father, Democrat Amy Mercado raised $8,800 in April, sending a financial counterpunch toward Democratic primary challenger Alex Barrio, who entered the race in March and quickly outperformed her on the fundraising circuit. Mercado’s April, her best month yet, along with $2,432 in expenditures, left her with $11,580 in the […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 11, 2016

People who know Ronnie Fussell, the former Jacksonville City Council president and current clerk of courts, love him. His Jacksonville roots run deep. And his list of political supporters is like a Who’s Who of #jaxpol. Fussell gained global publicity for Jacksonville when he halted the Duval County Courthouse’s 150-year tradition of courthouse wedding ceremonies just […]

Scott PowersMay 11, 2016

State Rep. Rene “Coach P” Plasencia of Orlando brought in $13,900 in April, the largest haul of any Central Florida candidate, but finds himself almost matched in the month by Republican challenger George Collins of Orlando, who lent another $10,000 to his campaign. Plasencia, who currently represents House District 49, finds himself now in a […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 11, 2016

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State Attorney candidate Wes White would have seen his campaign account go red in April without a personal loan of some green. As it is, the 4th Circuit Republican is just barely in the black after a $4,000 personal loan that dwarfed the mere $825 in donations White brought in last month. Thus far in the […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 11, 2016

When T.S. Eliot said “April is the cruelest month,” he likely didn’t have Matt Shirk‘s fundraising in mind — but the maxim applies nonetheless. The 4th Circuit public defender brought in just $1,800 in April, with no notable donors in the mix for the Jacksonville Republican. Shirk has brought in $26,975 during his re-election campaign, and has $25,665.80 […]

Scott PowersMay 11, 2016

Winter Park Democratic lawyer Ryan Yadav‘s loans to his own campaign are keeping his House District 30 race against incumbent Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes the only competitive house race in Seminole County-based districts, at least as far as money is concerned. Cortes, seeking a second term, raised $12,680 in April, one of the biggest […]

Drew WilsonMay 11, 2016

Vero Beach Republican Rep. Debbie Mayfield topped her competition to stay on top in the Senate District 17 race last month with $32,090 in contributions. Mayfield took in 84 contributions in April, including 11 checks for the maximum contribution of $1,000, but spent nearly as much as she brought in, leaving her with $196,617 in […]

Melissa RossMay 11, 2016

It’s the remarkable tale of a poor Mexican boy who beat long odds to become a renowned brain surgeon. His mission — to eradicate brain tumors. Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa first came to this country as an illegal immigrant. Jumping a border fence on the day before his 19th birthday in 1987, he had no English and no money, so […]

Mitch PerryMay 11, 2016

Last week, a grand jury indicted a for-profit school management company runs four Pinellas County charter schools, and the advocacy group Florida Strong is demanding that state Senator Jeff Brandes answer for it. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Newpoint Education Partners had been indicted on charges of grand theft, money laundering and aggravated white crime. The company has, according to […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 11, 2016

Before the meeting of the Jacksonville Area Refugee Task Force on Wednesday, sponsored by the Department of Children and Families here and throughout the state, this writer was spoke with Elaine Carson of World Relief Jacksonville. The faith-based organization helps refugees and those in need of political asylum, with a recent concentration on Burmese and Eritrean resettlement in the […]

Local

Amy Mercado has best financial April in HD 48 race

Controversial Duval clerk of courts faces primary challenger

Rene Plasencia raises $13,900 in April in his bid for HD 50

Wes White stays out of red with campaign loan

Public Defender Matt Shirk’s fundraising hit a trough in April

Ryan Yadav loans keep HD 30 money race competitive with Bob Cortes

Debbie Mayfield tops competition in April to keep SD 17 money lead

Brad Pitt, immigration, Mayo Clinic, and ‘Dr. Q’

Florida Strong goes after Jeff Brandes again, this time over for profit charter schools

Jacksonville refugee task force helps those who need it most