Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 15, 2016

A new ad from the Northeast Florida Committee for Principled Government, an ECO, tells Public Defender Matt Shirk that two terms are enough and “the party’s over.” John Daigle, who runs the ECO and the campaign of Shirk’s GOP primary opponent, Charles Cofer, notes “this campaign was funded in large part by legal community leaders from both […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 12, 2016

Received a mailer supporting State Senate District 19 Democrat Daryl Rouson lately on Obamacare support? Or mailers hitting SD 31 Democrat Jeff Clemens on “allowing a Lake Worth utility to dump harmful waste near a pristine coral reef” and supporting high power bills? If so, they came from an interesting committee: “Floridians for a Better Florida.” The committee […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 8, 2016

In a letter delivered Monday to Florida Times-Union editor Frank Denton, Public Defender Matt Shirk called on the Jacksonville newspaper to withhold endorsement in the 4th Circuit public defender race. The problem, said Shirk, stemmed from his late July editorial board interview, which “shocked” and “disappointed” Shirk. Hank Coxe, a supporter of Shirk’s opponent, is a citizen member of […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

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Former Judge Charles Cofer collected $6,500 during the week from July 23 to July 29, giving him a total of $166,000 raised, with over $85,000 on hand as he battles incumbent Matt Shirk to become the Republican nominee for 4th Circuit public defender. Cofer, in what has become a chippy election complete with allegations of tampered signs and […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 14, 2016

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 […]

Tag: Charles Cofer

New PAC ad funded by former supporters tells Matt Shirk ‘the party’s over’

Controversial Jax public defender employee heads PAC playing in Dem State Senate races

Matt Shirk calls on Florida Times-Union not to endorse in public defender’s race

Charles Cofer extends money lead over Matt Shirk in public defender race

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