Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2015

Saturday was a big day for Early Voting in Jacksonville. Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland observes that “5,355 ballots were cast on Day 13 of Early Voting,” which is the biggest number thus far. “43,724 Democratic voters, 40,832 Republican voters and 11,009 Non-Partisan voters have either cast an Early vote or a Vote by […]

Associated PressMay 17, 2015

Republican Jeb Bush tried Saturday to regain his stride after an awkward week, noting his misstep about the Iraq war with humility and a laugh while reaffirming his affection for brother George W. Bush, the president who ordered the invasion. Returning to early voting Iowa, Bush offered an explanation to voters for his confused statements […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 16, 2015

The polls between Alvin Brown and Lenny Curry keep bouncing around within the margin of error; appropriate, given that their campaigns have been messaging to two different Jacksonvilles in many ways. That’s not their fault. Since consolidation, Jacksonville has always been a city with pretty obvious fault lines, and the smart money is on a 51/49 election. […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 15, 2015

Nine days after announcing the dates, the Florida Legislature issued the proclamation for the special session. The call is wide open, including Medicaid expansion, elimination of certificate of need law, direct primary care, state group health insurance changes,the budget and conforming bills from the 2015 regular legislative session and tax relief. As previously announced, the […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 15, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott rounded off his letter-writing week with one to officials at UF Health Jacksonville, asking 15 questions that could provide insight into why the hospital has become “extraordinarily reliant on federal (Medicaid) funds and what can be done to improve the financial viability” of the facility. Scott sent the letter to Chief Executive […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 15, 2015

Anytime I get an email from Chris Hand, chief of staff for Mayor Alvin Brown, that incorporates the John Adams quote “Facts are stubborn things,” I know I’m in for at least 500 words of top-flight refutation of an opponent’s memes. Friday’s email takes issue with the comments of Councilman Richard Clark on Friday’s episode of First Coast Connect on […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 15, 2015

Slowly but surely, the Democratic advantage over the Republican side in raw votes continues to increase with two and a half days left in early voting in Duval County. As of 1 p.m. on Friday, with about 87,000 votes cast, Democrats led Republicans by a margin of about 1,300 votes, 39,175 to 37,912. “Other” votes, […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 15, 2015

It’s been weeks since Lenny Curry brought in national firepower for a campaign event. The last time was when he brought in Mitt Romney for a fundraising event in April. But arguably, he’s saving the best for last, bringing in Marco Rubio for what Team Curry bills as a Get Out the Vote Victory Rally. In a clear […]

Mitch PerryMay 15, 2015

A handful of U.S. Postal Service workers demonstrated with signs in front of a downtown Tampa post office on Thursday afternoon. They were calling attention to conditions affecting employees and the public a week before the American Postal Workers Union‘s (APWU) contract with the Postal Service is set to expire next Wednesday. The union is […]

Associated PressMay 15, 2015

Florida will move ahead with online voter registration despite Gov. Rick Scott saying he is worried about putting it in place. Scott signed a bill Friday that mandates online registration in October 2017. The Republican governor signed the bill even though the state’s top election official criticized it. Scott in a letter said that he […]

Uncategorized

How “Selma Sunday” could decide the Jacksonville election on Tuesday

In Iowa, Jeb Bush looks to move past Iraq

Optimism abounds in Jacksonville mayoral campaigns in home stretch

Special session called by Senate and House and it’s wide open on health care, budget

Rick Scott winds up week of health care letters with one to UF Health Jacksonville

Chris Hand to Richard Clark: “Facts are stubborn things”

Duval Democrats near 1,300 vote lead in Jacksonville election

Email Insights: Lenny Curry to bring in Marco Rubio on Monday

Postal Service workers say public must get involved or mail services will go away

Rick Scott grudgingly OKs online voter registration