Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiOctober 18, 2018

Gambling concern bestbet is one of Jacksonville’s most politically connected businesses. Its interests were boosted Thursday when the local Chamber of Commerce weighed in against Amendment 3. Per a media release, passing the amendment “will eliminate local voter control and could retroactively unauthorize existing gambling, putting hundreds of jobs in Jacksonville at risk.” The “unnecessary” […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 7, 2018

Jacksonville’s director of intergovernmental affairs, Ali Korman Shelton, is leaving her position at the end of next week. On Monday, the office of Mayor Lenny Curry revealed the path forward for the team, with one promotion and two internal hires effective May 21. Jordan Elsbury, a previous “30 under 30 rising star of Florida politics” honoree on […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 1, 2018

Jacksonville’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Ali Korman Shelton, is stepping down from her position in City Hall. On Monday, Shelton sent a letter to Mayor Lenny Curry explaining her departure effective later this month. “After much contemplation, and despite the positive future I foresee, it is now time for someone else to serve you, your administration, and […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 30, 2018

After Thursday’s explosive meeting of the Jacksonville City Council’s special committee on JEA, which saw Council President Anna Brosche and Finance Chair Garrett Dennis pillory CEO Paul McElroy over numerous inconsistencies in his testimony, what’s certain is that, at least for Brosche, the questions have only begun. In a 20-minute-plus gaggle Thursday evening, Brosche went into great detail […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 2, 2018

In 2016, Cord Byrd, Clay Yarborough and Jason Fischer overcame competitive GOP primaries to win nominations — despite powerful interests and strong candidates going against each of them in the process. The general elections, in each of their districts, lacked drama: all three beat write-in candidates, garnering over 90 percent of the vote. We asked the […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 19, 2016

When FloridaPolitics.com asked Jacksonville City Councilman Aaron Bowman why he introduced a bill to bring slots to Jacksonville via the politically connected bestbet, Bowman’s answer was pragmatic. “It’s about jobs” and the city’s “financial well being,” Bowman said, noting that jobs are created on both the operations side and the maintenance side for the machines. The city will get […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 7, 2016

March fundraising reports are starting to trickle in, and House District 12 Republican Don Redman has an interesting donor on his: Sam Mousa, Jacksonville CAO. Mousa maxed out for Redman, as part of a $8,340 haul (that included $1,900 of money from the Redmans, but still). Also maxing out: Best Bet’s Jamie Shelton, the husband of Ali Korman Shelton, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 17, 2016

In recent months, a bill designed to increase the value of property that can be donated to non-profits and for-profits from $25,000 to $50,000 has been moving through Jacksonville’s City Council. The goal of the bill: to spur development in areas prone to blight. The bill moved through Finance Monday, and had Recreation, Community Development, […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 5, 2016

On Monday, the Jacksonville City Council Neighborhood Improvement and Community Enhancement Committee kicked off 2016. The ad hoc committee has become a source of consternation for many on Council, who note that it is unable to take action, and is just a deliberative committee. Some highlights included a further discussion of Land Bank issues and […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2015

Mia Jones was picked Monday as chairwoman of the Duval County Legislative Delegation during its meeting at Jacksonville’s City Hall. Jay Fant was chosen vice chairman. The delegation also decided that members could “attend” a subcommittee meeting via conferencing technology. A quorum can now be reached with a minimum of two members being present, with the […]

Tag: Ali Korman Shelton
Donald Trump gets a rude awakening.

Jax Chamber backs bestbet, balks at Amendment 3

Jordan Elsbury to replace Ali Korman Shelton, as Jacksonville revamps intergovernmental affairs team

Ali Korman Shelton stepping down from Lenny Curry administration

Anna Brosche on collision course with Lenny Curry, JEA management over sale timeline inconsistencies

Northeast Florida lawmakers preview 2018 Legislative Session

Jacksonville pols grapple with slots referendum legislation

Jacksonville CAO Sam Mousa highlights Don Redman HD 12 March donor list

NW Jax pushback stalls housing donation bill in Council committee

Jax NICE Committee kicks off 2016, discusses “Spring Clean Jacksonville”

Duval delegation chooses Mia Jones as chair, hears 60-plus speakers