Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan NicolOctober 23, 2018

A new round of Florida lawmakers gave their endorsement for Amendment 6 on Tuesday, off the heels of civil-rights legend Jesse Jackson Sr. stating his support for the measure. The amendment aims to increase rights for crime victims in the state of Florida. It was modeled after “Marsy’s Law.” Advocates say Amendment 6 will help victims […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 22, 2018

Q3 continued a narrative trend for Jacksonville’s Congressmen, as they continued to dominate their longshot challengers in the cash race. First-term Reps. John Rutherford, a Republican and Al Lawson, a Democrat, each of whom have districts that are favorable in terms of voter profile, also connected with donors in the period leading up to Sept. 30. Rutherford, […]

Staff ReportsOctober 19, 2018

Jacksonville’s political class, with a Republican Mayor and Sheriff, is betting on red this year, all in for Ron DeSantis for Governor. And if he wins, it will be another case of “Jax on the Rise.” Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff Mike Williams endorsed DeSantis before the August primary, as did Duval-adjacent legislators like Sen. […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 17, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott has messaged heavily in the Senate race, including an ad released Tuesday spotlighting his post-Michael storm recovery efforts. However, a more effective testimonial came Tuesday evening, when Scott spotlighted a ringing endorsement of his storm management skills from Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson. Lawson, a first-term Democrat representing Florida’s 5th Congressional District, eschewed the […]

Staff ReportsOctober 12, 2018

As poet, novelist and pop culture icon William S. Burroughs once noted: “Control needs control to control.” That observation holds in all hierarchical structures, especially politics, and particularly after voting begins. In a typically Republican area like Northeast Florida, recent history shows it’s been rare to see so many competitive races as we are seeing […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 11, 2018

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a first-term Democrat representing Florida’s 5th Congressional District, is no stranger to the counties of the district. That holds especially true for some of the most grievously storm-impacted areas, such as Leon and Gadsden counties, areas he has known since he was born. While Hurricane Michael made landfall in Bay County, the […]

Scott PowersOctober 9, 2018

Florida’s U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio and 13 members of Florida’s congressional delegation have formally asked the White House to declare a pre-landfall state of emergency for Florida as Hurricane Michael looms. The letter to President Donald Trump declares their “full support” for the emergency declaration sought by Gov. Rick Scott, stressing the […]

Staff ReportsOctober 5, 2018

This week in City Hall, a time capsule containing artifacts from 1960 was opened. Being it’s the 50-year anniversary of Consolidation, city leaders are (understandably) in a sentimental mode. But 50 years from now? One wonders if such sentimental pulls will prevail. What kind of letters would current City Council members write to those who […]

Scott PowersOctober 2, 2018

Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto of Celebration is tops of his freshman class when it comes to getting bills proposed and laws approved, according to a new report from an analytics company that tracks Congress. In the term that began in Janaury, 2017, Soto sponsored and introduced 29 bills, and two of them were enacted […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 28, 2018

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Five decades ago, Jacksonville consolidated city and county services. For 50 years since people have been arguing about whether it was a good idea. We saw it last week: a mayoral forum involving Mayor Lenny Curry and his five living predecessors (look for the replay Sunday on This Week in Jacksonville). Curry, seeking re-election, sounded […]

Tag: Al Lawson
Image via David Silvers.

Jesse Jackson, Florida lawmakers support ‘crime victims’ bill of rights’

No drama: John Rutherford, Al Lawson dominate cash race against longshot challengers

Jacksonville Bold for 10.19.18 — Betting on red

Al Lawson bonds with Rick Scott over hurricane response

Jacksonville Bold for 10.12.18 — Control needing control

Al Lawson expects long recovery for Leon, Gadsden counties

Florida congressional delegation seeks state of emergency

Jacksonville Bold for 10.5.18 — Time in a bottle

Report: Darren Soto tops in freshman class in bills introduced, laws passed

Jacksonville Bold for 9.28.18 — A good idea?