Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 6, 2018

Alvin Brown, challenging U.S. Rep. Al Lawson in the Democratic primary in Florida’s 5th Congressional District, scored some key endorsements from The Florida Education Association and Duval Teachers United Monday. Interestingly, Brown spotlighted a different position on one key issue than Lawson in accepting the endorsements. “Unfortunately,” Brown said, “there’s a long-running trend toward giving for-profit […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2018

In a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon, former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown addressed current and past issues that still occlude his bid for the Democratic nomination in Florida’s 5th Congressional District. Among the issues: incumbent Congressman Al Lawson calling Brown “absent Alvin” and other issues from Brown’s mayoralty, including failure/unwillingness to get LGBT rights legislation through Council, and […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2018

Many political watchers note that Congressman Al Lawson and former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, both running in the Blue Dog-heavy 5th Congressional District, have more similarities than differences. Perhaps with that in mind, the campaigns both went on offense Tuesday. Lawson trumpeted an endorsement in Brown’s hometown, via the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters, which joined the local […]

Peter SchorschJuly 5, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s newly formed political committee raised more 2 million dollars last month. Although the Land O’Lakes Republican has been coy about his political future, with an eye-opening haul like that, it’s hard to argue the Speaker is not at least considering a 2018 gubernatorial run. Included in that $2,060,000 (and change) Watchdog […]

Associated PressMarch 22, 2017

Florida is investigating whether or not school districts are moving students around in order to manipulate graduation rates. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart announced Wednesday that she has asked top officials in her department to look closer at students who were in their senior year but weren’t counted in final graduation rates. Gary Chartrand, a member […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 3, 2017

[Updated with new data.] “Build Something That Lasts,” the political committee of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, raised $110,000 in February. That sum follows a $63,000 January. Curry’s committee secured the $110,000 from five donors, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Peter Rummell, Gary Chartrand, and J.B. Coxwell. While these are usual donors, the committee also got a $25,000 donation from Mori […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 10, 2017

On Thursday, an appropriations bill (HB 2787) was filed in the Florida House for the benefit of the “Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP).” The bill, filed by Jacksonville Republican Jason Fischer (a former member of the Duval County School Board), seeks to continue the $1,224,000 appropriation from the previous budget to benefit Jacksonville’s KIPP school. HB 2787 is […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 6, 2017

In 2016, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry had a fractious meeting with the religious consortium ICARE. One unresolved topic: a homeless day resource center. The previous mayoral administration had one in the budget, which offered services three days a week. Curry cut it. ICARE wanted reinstatement, and voiced its concerns. The mayor was focused on the pension tax […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 29, 2016

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Fourth Circuit State Attorney-elect Melissa Nelson scored a resounding victory over incumbent Angela Corey in the GOP primary at the end of August. Though she has no general election opposition, Nelson’s political committee, “First Coast Values”, continues to raise and spend copiously. Since the end of August, “First Coast Values” has raised, in total, $138,800. First […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 15, 2016

In the two weeks from June 25 to July 8, 4th Circuit State Attorney candidate Melissa Nelson raised $166,000 in hard money combined with political committee money. The political committee, “First Coast Values,” brought in $150,000 of that sum, with $25,000 donations from Wayne Hogan, Wayne Weaver, Gary Chartrand, and Lawrence Dubow leading the way. The committee has $176,000 cash […]

Tag: Gary Chartrand

Accepting teacher endorsements, Alvin Brown decries charter schools … but takes Gary Chartrand’s money

Alvin Brown talks HRO, Barack Obama, Shad Khan, and his pathway to Congress

Alvin Brown, Al Lawson exchange jabs in CD 5 primary clash

Richard Corcoran’s $2 million haul, and what it could mean for the governor’s race

Florida investigating whether grad rates were manipulated

Lenny Curry political committee raises $110K in February

Former Duval School Board member carries KIPP charter school bill in Tallahassee

Lenny Curry administration may re-open a homeless day resource center

Melissa Nelson PC raises and spends six-figure sums in September

Melissa Nelson brings in $166K in latest fundraising period