Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannJanuary 5, 2018

The weather report was unprecedented this week. Cold as ice, as the Foreigner classic goes. But for those needing a warmup, the 2018 political landscape brings the heat. Right now, it’s hotter than July in the orbit of almost-Jacksonville Rep. Ron DeSantis. He’s got the billionaires backing him, and a robopoll saying he’s more popular […]

Peter SchorschDecember 15, 2017

In the year-end edition of Bold, we look at the stories that shaped 2017. A pension problem — with a solution that seemed impossible at the end of 2015. A legendary politician sentenced to prison. Northeast Florida politicians are moving toward leadership in the state Legislature. Rights for the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender […]

Peter SchorschDecember 8, 2017

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry took a victory lap on Facebook this week. “2.5 years in office. Much done- pension reform, public safety investments, board reforms, reforms on how we serve kids, storm prep & relief, infrastructure, etc. The list goes on. However, that’s yesterday. I’m focused on winning today. Big things ahead. Love y’all Duval. […]

Phil AmmannDecember 1, 2017

In this issue of Bold, there’s not a lot of unwelcome news. Today, there’s: — Travis Hutson potentially ascending to Senate leadership. — The local paper’s editorial board finally noticed Hutson’s Senate colleague, Rob Bradley. — A popular local politician — Sheriff Mike Williams — is (finally) officially running for re-election. — If you read […]

Phil AmmannNovember 17, 2017

A frenetic year in Jacksonville politics — including the passage of the Human Rights Ordinance expansion, pension reform, and the Kids Hope Alliance — is ending. And not a moment too soon. The Jacksonville City Council meeting this week had nothing on the agenda was worth covering, even by the standards of our Jacksonville correspondent. […]

Phil AmmannNovember 10, 2017

Northeast Florida is winning — bigly. Check the scoreboard. Or read the articles in this week’s edition. The next leader of the Senate Democrats — Jacksonville’s own Audrey Gibson. The new budget chief in the Senate — Fleming Island’s own Rob Bradley. And yeah, there were … things … that happened … to allow both […]

Peter SchorschNovember 3, 2017

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With Jacksonville’s City Council on its “fifth-week” break and many of the city’s power brokers on a Chamber trip to Toronto, Bold is a bit light on City Hall content this week. No matter, since we are entering the political season — you’ll notice a lot of entries focused on Florida’s 5th Congressional District — […]

Phil AmmannOctober 27, 2017

When it comes to statewide races in 2018, does Northeast Florida have a dog in the hunt? That’s a matter of interpretation. One of our big scoops this week — Congressman Ron DeSantis (insiders affirm) is ramping up for a possible run for Florida governor. DeSantis’ wife is on local television; he represents a district […]

Phil AmmannOctober 20, 2017

Politics in Northeast Florida — except when hot-button social issues like lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights or Confederate monuments are in play — is often a matter of mechanics. Much of what we see in this week’s Bold: a matter of fundamentals, blocking and tackling. We see it with our region’s two congressmen, raising […]

Peter SchorschAugust 25, 2017

Over the weekend, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry took to Twitter, ruminating on youth football practice and game tape from last year. Curry coaches his son’s team and takes it very seriously. The mayor discussed repeating patterns of behavior shown on the field, adding a barb at the end: “People are predictable.” Preparing to coach & Watching youth […]

Jacksonville Bold for 1.5.18 — Cold outside, 2018 is hot

Jacksonville Bold for 12.15.17 — #Duuuuval: The year that was

Jacksonville Bold for 12.8.17 — Progress report

Jacksonville Bold for 12.1.17 — So much winning

Jacksonville Bold for 11.17.17 — Time for reflection

Jacksonville Bold for 11.10.17 — November reign

Jacksonville Bold for 11.3.17 — What can Brown do for you?

Jacksonville Bold for 10.27.17 — Looking toward 2018

Jacksonville Bold for 10.20.17 — Winning is everything

Jacksonville Bold for 8.25.17 — People are predictable