Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 3, 2015

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Confounding the critics who charged Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry with practicing “scorched earth politics” in his recent decisions regarding positions on Independent Authority boards, the Curry administration is preparing legislation to appoint Reverend John Allen Newman to the JAXPORT board, according to an email from Curry to senior staff. As well, Curry is appointing John Baker, the former […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 2, 2015

In Jacksonville, Ron Littlepage is generally held up as the dean of local opinion columnists. When he writes something, people pay attention. That was the case with his Tuesday column, in which he wrote: Mayor Lenny Curry has famously declared: “One City, One Jacksonville.” Now two months into his administration, a disturbing trend has developed as […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 1, 2015

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Of all of his legislative accomplishments, State Rep. Lake Ray takes as much pride in his work for JAXPORT and Florida ports in general as any of them. He is an evangelist for bringing JAXPORT into alignment with the requirements that today’s shipping companies have: It’s important for the port itself, for manufacturing, for jobs, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 31, 2015

Earlier this year, Zakee Fur’qan was trumpeted by the Alvin Brown campaign as one of the “job creators and business leaders” who backed the mayor’s reelection. Since then, it has been all downhill for Fur’qan, who under his previous name was convicted of second-degree murder and felony-level robbery. His endorsement was repudiated by the Brown campaign in the strongest […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

Confirming persistent speculation, Jason Gabriel has been picked to continue as the city of Jacksonville’s general counsel, after a public search by a high-profile search committee led by former mayor John Delaney. Gabriel has been with the Office of General Counsel for more than five years, and has acted as general counsel since July 1, 2014. Mayor […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

[Updated: 4:43 p.m.] Peter Bower is one of the more powerful people on the JEA Board. He serves as Vice Chair and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. He also has a history of contentious statements since taking that position, including broadsides against the man who appointed him. Bower was appointed by Jacksonville mayor Alvin […]

Melissa RossAugust 24, 2015

Presiding over a new City Council of fresh faces, bullish on job growth and downtown development, and pushing infrastructure improvements in rapidly fraying corners of the city, Jacksonville City Council President Greg Anderson says it’s a new era at City Hall, as his goals align with new mayor Lenny Curry. “I think the communication level has […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 21, 2015

Adults, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said, are all “nice and political” when they talk with politicians. However, talking to young men, such as the about 100 graduates of the One City One Jacksonville Leadership Academy Curry spoke with Friday morning in a no-holds-barred Q&A at City Hall, demands more candor and realism. “You know if someone’s BSing you,” […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 21, 2015

On Thursday night, Tim McGraw played Jacksonville. Virtually everyone but this writer seemingly was there. Among those attending: three of the biggest power players in #jaxpol. Jax Chamber President Daniel Davis, Council President Greg Anderson, and, wearing a 10-gallon hat that his childhood idol Dusty Rhodes would have endorsed, Mayor Lenny Curry. Davis has spoken often in public, as recently […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 19, 2015

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Another day, another departure of an Alvin Brown political appointee. Wednesday’s edition: Melody Bishop, the wife of one-time mayoral candidate Bill Bishop, from the Downtown Investment Authority board. In a letter to Jordan Elsbury, the Director of Appointments and Special Projects for the Lenny Curry administration, Bishop, “with heavy heart,” offers her resignation “effective immediately.” She wanted the opportunity to meet […]

Tag: Alvin Brown

John Allen Newman, former Alvin Brown endorser, reappointed to JAXPORT board

Ron Littlepage parses semantics of “One City, One Jacksonville”

Lake Ray talks port strategy, Nancy Soderberg

Zakee Fur’qan facing felony vote fraud charges

Jason Gabriel reappointed COJ general counsel

JEA Board member called on NE FL GOP legislators to “resign” in April

Jax Council Prez Greg Anderson: “We can’t damage our river”

Lenny Curry talks real with 1C1J Leadership Academy grads

Cowboy up: one picture shows the coalescing of Jax power

Melody Bishop leaves Downtown Investment Authority, pledges “support” to Curry