Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossFebruary 11, 2016

Fresh off the heels of his victory in the New Hampshire primary, supporters of Bernie Sanders down here in Florida say they’re energized for their candidate heading into the state’s winner-take-all March 15 primary. “Support for Bernie has grown exponentially,” said Matt Killen, a North Florida organizer for the Sanders campaign. “It started with a […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 27, 2016

(First of three parts) To find someone guilty of a crime — any crime — jurors have to agree unanimously. Not so to impose the death penalty. Not here in Florida. And that’s why Florida’s death penalty sentencing procedure is in constitutional hot water. As Florida law stands now, after jurors find a defendant guilty […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 18, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Florida’s death penalty sentencing system last week, declaring it violates defendants’ Sixth Amendment Rights to trial by jury. In response to the Hurst v. Florida decision, a Jacksonville coalition of civic and faith groups — Justice 4 Jacksonville — is calling on State Attorney Angela Corey to stop action […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 17, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Florida’s death penalty sentencing system last week, declaring that it violates defendants’ Sixth Amendment Rights to trial by jury. In response to the Hurst v. Florida decision, a Jacksonville coalition of civic and faith groups — Justice 4 Jacksonville — is calling on State Attorney Angela Corey to stop […]

Julie DelegalSeptember 30, 2015

A new voice has emerged in the debate about capital punishment, and, in one respect, it echoes a very old one. Marc Hyden is a former field director for the National Rifle Association — sealing forever his street cred as a deep-dyed conservative. His new gig is coordinating a group that rose from the ground up, […]

Melissa RossSeptember 22, 2015

Florida’s a big, complex state. Different cities deal with different issues and often seem like they are on different planets. For example, in conservative Jacksonville the City Council just signed off on a new budget that keeps taxes low and prioritizes public safety, big concerns in Duval. Meanwhile, down in drowning Miami-Dade, Mayor Carlos Gimenez […]

Melissa RossJuly 15, 2015

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With bold proposals out this week for improving student achievement in urban Duval County, Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti acknowledges: “It’s a tough job.” The challenge is one of scale,” Vitti said during an appearance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect. “It’s undeniable we have pockets of excellence even in very tough schools. We’re seeing improvement, the […]

Melissa RossJanuary 20, 2015

Monday night’s Duval County Republican Party gathering ended with the endorsement of Jacksonville mayoral candidate Lenny Curry (albeit with some complications). But the meeting had another unexpected bit of drama when 26-year-old Jesse Wilson, a former Republican City Council candidate, writer for Void Magazine, and supporter of Republican mayoral candidate Bill Bishop, was kicked out of […]

Melissa RossJanuary 20, 2015

Monday night’s Duval County Republican Party gathering ended with the endorsement of Jacksonville mayoral candidate Lenny Curry (albeit with some complications). But the meeting had another unexpected bit of drama when 26-year-old Jesse Wilson, a former Republican City Council candidate, writer for Void Magazine, and supporter of Republican mayoral candidate Bill Bishop, was kicked out of […]

Marc YachtJanuary 6, 2015

In August a federal judge struck down Florida’s same sex marriage ban. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle noted in his ruling that his is now one of 19 federal courts that have struck down state laws that bar gay and lesbian couples from marrying. Gay marriage opponents continue to raise barriers to same-sex couples desiring […]

Tag: Duval

#JaxforBernie supporters expect “capacity” crowd at Dem debate watch party

Julie Delegal: Lawmakers ignored warnings about death-penalty sentencing law

Julie Delegal: Jacksonville coalition asks State Attorney to suspend seeking capital punishment

Julie Delegal: Jacksonville coalition asks State Attorney to suspend seeking capital punishment

Julie Delegal: A new, conservative voice opposes capital punishment

Miami-Dade hires “resiliency officer” to fight effects of sea level rise

Nikolai Vitti: Standardized testing “exacerbated problems in schools around the country”

Young Jax Republican tossed from meeting bemoans 'divisiveness' of local, national GOP

Young Jax Republican tossed from meeting bemoans ‘divisiveness’ of local, national GOP

Marc Yacht: Gay marriage 'Taint nobody's business' except the couple's