Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 30, 2018

Jacksonville City Councilmen Jim Love and Matt Schellenberg, both second term Republicans, had expressed different visions for the future of Jacksonville’s public utility. Schellenberg’s 2018-242 would encourage the Mayor and the JEA Board to explore a review of a potential sale; Love’s 2018-248 would represent Council opposition to a sale. Both bills will not see the Council floor, after a […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 29, 2018

Jacksonville held another iteration of its yearly jazz festival over Memorial Day weekend, but a number of local politicians critiqued a scheduling decision for the well-attended event. City decision makers did not use the Jacksonville Landing as a location for a festival stage; a move not altogether surprising given the continued legal back and forth between […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 25, 2018

Chris King, an entrepreneur from Orlando running for Governort, returned to Jacksonville Thursday, his second straight day in Northeast Florida. Florida Politics caught up with the Democrat ahead of his closed press visit to a church in the Springfield neighborhood, where the progressive political neophyte pitched his policy positions to faith leaders from the region. […]

Staff ReportsMay 25, 2018

We’ve reached the point in the primary cycle where, by now, campaign groundwork and infrastructure should be well underway. Bold is offering evidence of that proposition. Smart candidates are bringing out the big endorsements, and less seasoned candidates making career-killing gaffes. The operatives are talking. If our Jacksonville correspondent isn’t typing, odds are good he […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 22, 2018

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Katrina Brown is being sued personally by the city of Jacksonville, the fallout from an economic development deal gone bust. Earlier this month, the city filed suit against Brown, a first-term Democratic member of the Finance Committee, for breach of guaranty, relative to a defaulted loan of $380,000 to the Browns’ family business, CoWealth […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 22, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott was in Jacksonville Tuesday morning, with what his office called a “major announcement” regarding “Florida’s safe communities” and the 2017 FDLE Crime Report. Crime rates have decreased during the Scott era (from a 40 year low to a 46 year low and now, a 47 year low), and his trumpeting of the statistical decreases […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 21, 2018

Jacksonville’s latest Inspector General, James Hoffman, used six sentences in a terse resignation letter submitted late Friday to end his twelve-month tenure. Hoffman is the second permanent inspector general to leave the role in recent years – and the second one to last a year or less. “I would like to thank you for the trust placed […]

Staff ReportsMay 18, 2018

As Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is fond of saying: politics is a “relationship business.” So, this edition of Bold spotlights the utility of political friendships. Whether running for Congress or state or local office, you’d better have your friends’ endorsements (well-timed) and the interest of the donor class (early, and often). In each category, there will be […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2018

The city of Jacksonville’s approach to handling public records has taken criticism from multiple sides in the last week. Among the charges: that the city is contravening the letter and the spirit of open government by slow-walking requests, by vetting seemingly problematic applications with affected officials before fulfilling them, by claiming exemptions from disclosure, by […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2018

Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche may be exploring a run for Mayor, however incumbent Lenny Curry isn’t worried, he said Wednesday. “I have almost a three-year record in office now,” Curry said. “A strong record of action and getting things done. Big things that I’ve communicated to the public as I’ve tried to tackle them, and […]

Tag: Jacksonville

Jacksonville City Councilors will pull competing JEA privatization resolutions

Jacksonville courthouse stage for jazz festival draws heated criticism from pols

Underdog Chris King vows to compete for Northeast Florida votes

Jacksonville Bold for 5.25.18 — Game theory

Lawsuit won’t push Katrina Brown off Jacksonville City Council

Rick Scott trumpets another record low state crime rate

Another Jacksonville Inspector General resigns, continued challenge for watchdog role

Jacksonville Bold for 5.18.18 — Relationship business

Lenny Curry, Jacksonville officials defend handling of public records requests

Lenny Curry not worried about possible challenge from Anna Brosche