Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2018

Did the mayor’s office move toward a sale of Jacksonville’s utility before Council had a chance to weigh in? And what does that mean for the process going forward? A profound rift has emerged between Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and the City Council on the question of JEA privatization. And, say some Councilors, existential questions loom […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2018

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As the push for gun control measures grips the state of Florida, attention has turned to the positions of Northeast Florida Republicans. Despite the carnage in Parkland, and the unprecedented activism in its wake, Republicans in the Jacksonville region aren’t evolving on the matter of assault weapons bans. The latest example: 4th Circuit State Attorney Melissa […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2018

Brian Hughes, chief of staff for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, has been cleared of charges that he violated any laws in an interaction earlier this week with a City Council staffer. Hughes had been accused of “accosting” Jeneen Sanders, assistant to Council President Anna Brosche, in a conversation over Curry’s office not being copied on an email from […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2018

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry‘s recently hired chief of staff, Brian Hughes, was accused of bullying by Council President Anna Brosche‘s executive assistant. However, the charge was dismissed by the city’s general counsel Thursday. Original story below: As reported by every outlet in Jacksonville at this point (with WJXT‘s Lynnsey Gardner being first), Jeneen Sanders alleges that Hughes “accosted” her on the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2018

The Soul Food Bistro is the go-to place on Jacksonville’s Westside for soul food. From fried catfish and collard greens to oxtails and cornbread, it has it all. It is also in the heart of Jacksonville City Council District 9, which is represented by Councilman Garrett Dennis. Dennis, a Democrat who often is alone in a […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2018

As the race to succeed Pam Bondi for Attorney General heats up on the Republican side, a political committee associated with a candidate (Pensacola Rep. Frank White) is dishing dirt about the candidate, Ashley Moody, endorsed by Bondi. United Conservatives, a committee that has received $50,000 from White’s employer (“Sansing Holdings”) and spent money in December with Data Targeting, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2018

Last year, outgoing JEA board member Tom Petway floated an audacious proposal: privatize Jacksonville’s public utility. Explorations of that concept apparently have proceeded to the point where Action News Jax reports there are worries of a “mass exodus” from the company. Moreover, an internal letter template suggests pending offers of “continued employment” during possible “acquisition or change of control,” […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 15, 2018

For those interested in the intersection of public policy and civil liberties, such as they are, the Florida Times-Union/ProPublica “Walking While Black” investigation and follow-ups were a revelation. The article confirmed what many already knew: African-Americans are, compared to their size of the population, disproportionately ticketed for jaywalking and related pedestrian violations. Fifty-five percent of the […]

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. GancarskiDecember 29, 2017

Politics in Northeast Florida is about to heat up, with state races in 2018 and Jacksonville municipal elections in 2019. Here are ten names worth watching. — Alvin Brown: Is he running for the U.S. House against Al Lawson? Mayor against incumbent Lenny Curry? He will have to decide, one way or another, this year. We’ve […]

Tag: Brian Hughes

Latest JEA sale revelations roil Jacksonville City Council

For prominent Jacksonville Republicans, it’s impossible to buck the NRA

Jacksonville general counsel clears Brian Hughes in dispute with City Council assistant

Bullying charge against Brian Hughes investigated; no laws violated

Showdown at the Soul Food Bistro: Garrett Dennis takes on Lenny Curry

AG race attack: Frank White committee targets ‘liberal judge’ Ashley Moody

Jacksonville City Council, Lenny Curry’s office to clash over JEA privatization?

Freaky Friday: Jacksonville’s power elite takes on the local paper

Northeast Florida lawmakers preview 2018 Legislative Session

A.G. Gancarski’s 10 people to watch in Northeast Florida politics: 2018 edition