Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 24, 2018

A lull in the media releases in the Democratic primary in Florida’s 5th Congressional District ended Thursday, with Alvin Brown pillorying Rep. Al Lawson for voting with Republicans on a Donald Trump approved bill that would undo much of the Dodd-Frank protections instituted in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Only 33 Democrats voted for the Dodd-Frank […]

Staff ReportsMay 18, 2018

As Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is fond of saying: politics is a “relationship business.” So, this edition of Bold spotlights the utility of political friendships. Whether running for Congress or state or local office, you’d better have your friends’ endorsements (well-timed) and the interest of the donor class (early, and often). In each category, there will be […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 15, 2018

Former Jacksonville Mayor and current 5th Congressional District Democratic hopeful Alvin Brown became the first and so far only North Florida candidate this cycle to laud the beginning of Ramadan. In a statement released Tuesday morning, Brown lauded the beginning of the month-long celebration, while decrying discrimination against American Muslims. “At sunset, Muslims in my district […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 14, 2018

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson hinted earlier this month about a swath of endorsements from his Florida Democratic colleagues in Congress. On Monday he delivered. In total, eight endorsements came his way: U.S. Reps. Darren Soto, Val Demings. Charlie Crist, Kathy Castor, Lois Frankel, Ted Deutch, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Frederica Wilson. “I am humbled to receive […]

Staff ReportsMay 11, 2018

August primaries are close to three months away. Vote by mail ballots will go out sooner than that. What that means is the time is now for candidates to show what their operations on the state and federal level really look like. And on the local level, where elections are still farther away, it’s infrastructure-building […]

Staff ReportsMay 4, 2018

Congressional candidates finish qualifying this week, setting the stage for a 3+ month sprint to nominations. Virtually every Congressional incumbent, save John Rutherford, will face a primary. Ted Yoho faces nominal competition for what could be his final term; Al Lawson faces more than a symbolic challenge in the form of Alvin Brown in Congressional District 5. We are a few weeks […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 3, 2018

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson talked to Jacksonville media about his congressional campaign against former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. Lawson and Brown both qualified this week, setting up a primary election that matches up a Tallahassee politician against a Jacksonville pol in the race for the Democratic nomination in Florida’s sprawling 5th Congressional District. Lawson said […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 2, 2018

The battle of the Als is now confirmed. Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown qualified Wednesday to run against incumbent Rep. Al Lawson in North Florida’s sprawling, east-west Congressional District 5. Lawson, who ended Corrine Brown‘s political career in 2016, seeks to “retire” Alvin Brown, maintaining his hold over the cartographically schizoid Jacksonville-to-Tallahassee seat. Brown announced his qualification Wednesday, via […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 30, 2018

Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown launched his campaign for Florida’s 5th Congressional District on Saturday morning at the IBEW Hall in Jacksonville — the same place he began his first mayoral campaign eight years ago. “They said it wouldn’t happen,” Brown said of that 2011 race. “Let’s do it again.” The location, where the Duval […]

Staff ReportsApril 27, 2018

Lately, Jacksonville politics has been fractious. A debate over JEA privatization, a hot-button topic for months, saw the culmination of claims and cross-claims of lies, betrayals, subterfuge and deception before Mayor Lenny Curry pulled the plug Thursday. As the political season approaches, locals may want to take a cue from gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, who made yet another […]

Tag: Alvin Brown
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Alvin Brown slams Al Lawson for voting for Trump-backed Dodd/Frank rollback bill

Jacksonville Bold for 5.18.18 — Relationship business

Alvin Brown lauds Ramadan, decries anti-Muslim discrimination

Florida congressional Democrats fall in behind Al Lawson’s re-election bid

Jacksonville Bold for 5.11.18 — Buy the ticket, take the ride

Jacksonville Bold for 5.4.18 — Qualifying Week

Al Lawson confident in campaign against ‘failed’ Alvin Brown

Alvin Brown, Al Lawson qualify for primary, setting up Jacksonville/Tallahassee clash

Alvin Brown’s congressional campaign kick-off has familiar cadence, leaves unanswered questions

Jacksonville Bold for 4.27.18 — Lessons learned