Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Steve SchaleNovember 6, 2018

To: Fellow Americans Who Don’t Sleep From: Steve Schale, Tired Florida Man Re: You know you are going to miss these. *5 hours until the polls open *17 hours until the first of 23 phone calls between 7 and 7:05 p.m. asking what I think. *19 hours until FSU basketball season tips off against the boys from […]

Phil AmmannNovember 2, 2018

Election Day is in sight, in Northeast Florida and everywhere else, and we preview the competitive races, as well as the ones decided shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday. For Jacksonville, a lot is riding on this. Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff Mike Williams invested real political capital in the gubernatorial campaign of Ron DeSantis. Win, […]

Phil AmmannOctober 25, 2018

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Duval County is now a few days into early in-person voting, with the first of two Souls to the Polls weekends about to commence. Do Democrats feel lucky? It depends on who you ask. The Blue Wave that offered so much potential early on may or may not be a tsunami at this point. The […]

Staff ReportsOctober 19, 2018

Jacksonville’s political class, with a Republican Mayor and Sheriff, is betting on red this year, all in for Ron DeSantis for Governor. And if he wins, it will be another case of “Jax on the Rise.” Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff Mike Williams endorsed DeSantis before the August primary, as did Duval-adjacent legislators like Sen. […]

Staff ReportsOctober 12, 2018

As poet, novelist and pop culture icon William S. Burroughs once noted: “Control needs control to control.” That observation holds in all hierarchical structures, especially politics, and particularly after voting begins. In a typically Republican area like Northeast Florida, recent history shows it’s been rare to see so many competitive races as we are seeing […]

Staff ReportsOctober 11, 2018

Just like in 2016, we’re again asking every candidate, including incumbents, to complete a questionnaire we believe offers an interesting, albeit, thumbnail sketch of who they are and why they are running. If you are a candidate and would like to complete the questionnaire, email [email protected]. Significant other? Kids? Two dogs. Education background? Professional background? AA […]

Staff ReportsOctober 5, 2018

This week in City Hall, a time capsule containing artifacts from 1960 was opened. Being it’s the 50-year anniversary of Consolidation, city leaders are (understandably) in a sentimental mode. But 50 years from now? One wonders if such sentimental pulls will prevail. What kind of letters would current City Council members write to those who […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 28, 2018

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Five decades ago, Jacksonville consolidated city and county services. For 50 years since people have been arguing about whether it was a good idea. We saw it last week: a mayoral forum involving Mayor Lenny Curry and his five living predecessors (look for the replay Sunday on This Week in Jacksonville). Curry, seeking re-election, sounded […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 21, 2018

Inside seven weeks until Election Day, and it’s just a few weeks from the start of vote by mail. What that means: It’s getting late. It’s getting late for statewide candidates who come to Jacksonville and try to define themselves, struggling for attention from an indifferent media. And time is short for some candidates who […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 14, 2018

The primaries are now well behind us. The parties have unified. Ops for losing candidates have moved into other campaigns (or endeavors). If you pay attention, there is — at times — a crispness in the morning air. And while that coolness may be fleeting, it’s an augury of the inevitable march of time. The […]

Tag: Jacksonville Jaguars
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Steve Schale: Like the Jaguars season, the election is nearly over.

Jacksonville Bold for 11.2.18 — Can Jax afford Andrew Gillum?

Jacksonville Bold for 10.26.18 — It’s go time

Jacksonville Bold for 10.19.18 — Betting on red

Jacksonville Bold for 10.12.18 — Control needing control

Meet Debra Kaplan, Democrat running for House District 31

Jacksonville Bold for 10.5.18 — Time in a bottle

Jacksonville Bold for 9.28.18 — A good idea?

Jacksonville Bold for 9.21.18 — It’s getting late

Jacksonville Bold for 9.14.18 — Time marches on