Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2018

In a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon, former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown addressed current and past issues that still occlude his bid for the Democratic nomination in Florida’s 5th Congressional District. Among the issues: incumbent Congressman Al Lawson calling Brown “absent Alvin” and other issues from Brown’s mayoralty, including failure/unwillingness to get LGBT rights legislation through Council, and […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2018

Many political watchers note that Congressman Al Lawson and former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, both running in the Blue Dog-heavy 5th Congressional District, have more similarities than differences. Perhaps with that in mind, the campaigns both went on offense Tuesday. Lawson trumpeted an endorsement in Brown’s hometown, via the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters, which joined the local […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 21, 2018

The Democratic primary in Florida’s 5th Congressional District, a scrum between the Tallahassee incumbent Al Lawson and former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, looks to be a test of whether Duval Democrats can take back the district against Lawson, a genial career politician with friends on both sides of the aisle. The battle has been one of dueling […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 13, 2018

In an unprecedented move, the Florida AFL-CIO waded into the Democratic primary in Florida’s 5th Congressional District, endorsing challenger Alvin Brown over incumbent Rep. Al Lawson. Per an official statement, the endorsement came down to Brown’s record. “Our members and their families in Jacksonville saw Mayor Brown’s commitment to the fundamental economic issues we care about,” said Mike […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 8, 2018

Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, primarying incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Lawson in Florida’s 5th Congressional District, issued a lengthy statement Friday in support of Pride Month. “During LGBTQ Pride Month, Americans recognize and reaffirm the right of all people to life, liberty and the freedom to pursue happiness. It was during this month in 1969 that LGBTQ Americans […]

Staff ReportsJune 8, 2018

Two of our top stories this week deal with primary battles for Congressional seats. They are interesting for what is said — and what is not. Mike Waltz is pushing fellow Republican John Ward to withdraw from the race in Florida’s 6th Congressional District. Waltz, like many across the political spectrum, believe that Ward saying that recent Puerto […]

Peter SchorschJune 1, 2018

The literary field of semiotics, as articulated by French theorist Ferdinand de Saussure, boils down to a relationship between signs and their intended meaning. The ultimate meaning of those signs is not fixed; rather, it moves with cultural interpretation. As we find ourselves now less than three months before primary elections for the 2018 ballot, we […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 30, 2018

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson‘s re-election campaign rolled out an endorsement Wednesday from the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police. The local is backing Lawson, a first-term Democrat from Tallahassee, in his primary challenge from Alvin Brown, a former Jacksonville Mayor. Brown didn’t even sit for an interview with the union — and given Lawson’s history of support for and from […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 29, 2018

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson was in Jacksonville Tuesday for a town hall, as he looks to repel a challenge in the Democratic primary from another moderate who hasn’t been afraid to blur party lines in former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. The question this campaign for Lawson: can he parlay incumbency and a primary opponent who […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 29, 2018

At last count, a member of the United States Congress makes $174,000 per annum. Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, a current candidate for the primary nomination in Florida’s 5th Congressional District, would stand to receive a serious pay raise in 2019 if he wins the nomination and is elected, per his financial disclosure form. Brown has […]

Tag: Alvin Brown
Dozens of vehicles were torched in a fire at a Jacksonville International Airport fire in a garage May 16. Image via Jacksonivlle Aviation Authority.

Alvin Brown talks HRO, Barack Obama, Shad Khan, and his pathway to Congress

Alvin Brown, Al Lawson exchange jabs in CD 5 primary clash

East versus West dynamic still evident in Alvin Brown, Al Lawson race

AFL-CIO ‘playing politics’ with Alvin Brown endorsement, claims Al Lawson camp

Alvin Brown’s Pride Month statement recalls his mayoral inaction on LGBT issues

Jacksonville Bold for 6.8.18 — Tribal warfare

Jacksonville Bold for 6.1.18 — Signs and symbols

Jacksonville police union backs Al Lawson, snubs Alvin Brown again

In Jacksonville, Al Lawson tries to score wins on Alvin Brown’s turf

If Alvin Brown goes to Congress, he will get a pay raise