Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJuly 14, 2016

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The latest filing for 4th Circuit Public Defender candidate Charles Cofer has him finally breaking the $150,000 barrier in money raised. New contributions of $13,535 brought Cofer’s total up to $150,045. Of that, he has roughly $67,500 on hand. Of the 61 contributors between June 25 and July 8, a lot were retired law enforcement members, along with […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2016

Fourth Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk is in real trouble. On Friday, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams and the police and fire unions endorsed his challenger, Charles Cofer. Williams’ endorsing statement has to be considered damning for the two-term incumbent. “The Public Defender’s Office is an important part of our criminal justice system,” Williams said. “Charlie Cofer’s 36 years of […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 8, 2016

The 4th Circuit Public Defender race, encompassing Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties, is heating up, as challenger Charles Cofer charges incumbent Matt Shirk is using state-paid public employees of the Office of Public Defender for his campaign. “It is clear that Mr. Shirk has found it difficult to raise funds to support his campaign,” Cofer said. “It is also clear […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 7, 2016

In May, former Duval County chief judge Charles Cofer began spending in earnest in his GOP primary bid to unseat 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk. The 4th Circuit encompasses Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties. Cofer raised just over $11,000 in May, including two key max contributions: one from Gate Petroleum, the company of former Jacksonville Mayor John […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 25, 2016

One might think, given the fact that 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk and State Attorney Angela Corey are in competitive GOP primaries, they might debate their opponents. While there’s still plenty of time for that to happen, it’s not happening Wednesday afternoon. The embattled incumbents, each facing challenges from members of their own party, will instead debate each other. […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 11, 2016

When T.S. Eliot said “April is the cruelest month,” he likely didn’t have Matt Shirk‘s fundraising in mind — but the maxim applies nonetheless. The 4th Circuit public defender brought in just $1,800 in April, with no notable donors in the mix for the Jacksonville Republican. Shirk has brought in $26,975 during his re-election campaign, and has $25,665.80 […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 4, 2016

The 4th circuit Public Defender race will have a closed primary between GOP incumbent Matt Shirk and challenger Charles Cofer, as write-in candidate Roland Falcon entered the contest Wednesday. If Shirk and Cofer had remained the only two on the ballot, all voters could have cast their ballots and the race would have been decided by the Aug. 30 primary. Falcon, a […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 12, 2016

Matt Shirk is in trouble in his re-election bid for 4th Circuit Public Defender. And he blames an unlikely coalition for his troubles. “It’s no surprise to me that with the support of Angela Corey and the liberal trial bar, my opponent has outraised me,” Shirk said in a statement dictated over the phone by […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 11, 2016

4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk faces an unenviable task of battling a well-funded primary opponent, Charles Cofer, who has unimpeachable credibility in Jacksonville. For the second straight month, Cofer scored more than $25,000 in donations. His $25,430 brought his total raised up to $85,385, against only $17,688 spent. Combined with a $7,000 loan earlier this year, […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2016

At the start of the year, I made 12 predictions for 2016 in Jacksonville politics. A fourth of the way through, revisiting them is useful. Some I got right. Some I got wrong. Some are still in progress. Predictions 1 and 2 revolved around the Human Rights Ordinance expansion, which was the issue du jour. […]

Tag: Charles Cofer

Charles Cofer breaks $150K barrier in public defender race

Jax sheriff, public safety unions back Charles Cofer for public defender

Charles Cofer: Matt Shirk is using public employees for campaign purposes

4th Circuit Public Defender candidate Charles Cofer spends big in May

Matt Shirk, Angela Corey to debate Wednesday … will the right questions be asked?

Public Defender Matt Shirk’s fundraising hit a trough in April

Write-in candidate Roland Falcon enters 4th circuit Public Defender race

4th Circuit PD Matt Shirk attacks opponent Charles Cofer, and Cofer issues a devastating response

4th Circuit Public Defender candidate Charles Cofer scores with Jax establishment

A.G. Gancarski: So far, so good on 2016 predictions