Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 5, 2018

Sen. Marco Rubio picked a safe market Thursday (Jacksonville) to message on a topic expected to resonate well with the area’s media contingent (the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). However, even in what seemed to be invulnerable economic messaging at a business expanding from 6,500 to 47,000 square feet and adding 100 jobs in the next five years […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 5, 2018

Jacksonville City Councilman Garrett Dennis, a critic of Jacksonville’s Kids Hope Alliance board that administers the city’s children’s programs, made it known earlier in the week that he would attend Wednesday’s KHA Board meeting. Dennis’ principal interest: the board’s selection of a new CEO. In Council committees Tuesday, Dennis peppered employees of the Lenny Curry administration with questions […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 4, 2018

Lobbyists for two major players in the utility industry have registered with the City of Jacksonville. Records show Florida Power and Light has engaged Paul Harden, best known locally as the representative for the Jacksonville Jaguars and owner Shad Khan‘s interests. Harden was also pivotal in persuading the Jacksonville City Council to approve a slots referendum in […]

Staff ReportsMarch 30, 2018

Flowers are blooming. The chill of March fades into April and May heat. And just like the cycle of nature, the cycle of campaigns is kicking off anew. In Congressional races, we are starting to see real action. Political action committees are kicking up, and so is the end of quarter fundraising. What this means: […]

Scott PowersMarch 30, 2018

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is having to find another new local office, this time in Miami. But unlike when the Republican senator had to relocate his Jacksonville and Tampa offices last year, the move is being attributed to the office space, not to landlords getting frustrated with ongoing political protests outside the building. “This is different […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2018

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is back in Northeast Florida, with media hits and fundraising pitches filling his Thursday stop in Jacksonville. Gillum, who appears on WJCT’s First Coast Connect at 9 a.m., has a number of non-press events slated also. Not the least of which, in terms of his campaign’s viability, a fundraiser in Downtown Jacksonville Thursday evening. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 27, 2018

The City of Jacksonville last week advanced suggestions to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for Opportunity Zones, each with an urban core focus. Per Neighborhoods Director Stephanie Burch, five census tracts have been chosen in the downtown area, within the aegis of the Downtown Investment Authority. The areas chosen have extant infrastructure, can absorb private […]

Staff ReportsMarch 23, 2018

Readers may note a focus on campaigns in Jacksonville Bold this week. With the Legislative Session over, we are now heading into campaign season. While Gov. Rick Scott seeks the right time to launch his bid for the U.S. Senate against Bill Nelson, facing no primary competition if he does so, pretty much everyone else […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 19, 2018

Joseph Peppers‘ bid for the CEO slot in Jacksonville’s Kids Hope Alliance has been controversial, given he was on the new board. A resignation tendered Sunday evening should remove some of that controversy. “After careful prayer and consideration,” Peppers wrote, “I have decided to submit my resignation from the Kids Hope Alliance Board. I am […]

Scott PowersMarch 16, 2018

Jolly & Murphy are taking their “Why Gridlock Rules Washington” show national, with upcoming gigs booked at Harvard University and in Washington, D.C., and Chicago. The duo, made up of Republican former U.S. Rep. David Jolly of Belleair Bluffs and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of Jupiter, has been touring Florida universities and town […]

Tag: Jacksonville
One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

Marco Rubio pitches business tax cuts in Jacksonville, as federal deficits spike

Garrett Dennis warns Jacksonville Kids Hope board not to pick Joe Peppers as CEO

Utility industry giants lobby up in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Bold for 3.30.18 — And the campaigns begin

Marco Rubio to move Miami office

Andrew Gillum slates Thursday fundraiser in Jacksonville

Proposed Jacksonville ‘opportunity zones’ have urban core focus

Jacksonville Bold for 3.23.18 — Five months to go

Joseph Peppers, CEO hopeful, resigns from Jacksonville Kids Hope Alliance board

David Jolly and Patrick Murphy taking their tour national