Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

In the nationally watched race for Jacksonville mayor, Alvin Brown lost to Lenny Curry for three main reasons, says UNF political science professor Matt Corrigan. Here are his takeaways: Campaign Data and Discipline “First, Brown was up against a determined opponent who ran a well-financed, data-driven, targeted campaign,” says Corrigan. “The Brown camp got started late […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels is no stranger to controversy, but you can’t argue with her ability to spark discussion. Case in point: Daniels has taken to posting pictures of her dirty feet on Facebook as she pounds the pavement in her run for re-election. The word “Selah” is Hebrew and loosely translated, means “pause and […]

Phil AmmannMay 19, 2015

At the halfway point in Jacksonville’s municipal election, the most recent voter updates shows momentum beginning to turn toward Republican mayoral candidate Lenny Curry. Curry, the former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, is in a tight battle with incumbent Democratic Mayor Alvin Brown. According to a statewide business association that’s closely following the race, […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland is segueing from a successful tenure in the SOE office to becoming Jacksonville’s new Property Appraiser. He’s going out with the same reputation for efficiency he began with in the office, spending Election Day tracking returns, reminding voters to make sure they hit their correct precinct, and giving […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

Duval County Sheriff John Rutherford has been a vocal critic of Mayor Alvin Brown and a supporter of his hand-picked successor Mike Williams in the Jacksonville mayor and sheriff’s races. Tuesday morning though, Rutherford turned an eye toward the next election cycle, revealing for the first time his next move as he leaves the Jacksonville […]

Melissa RossMay 18, 2015

Public safety has emerged as a major issue in Jacksonville’s superclose mayor’s race, with incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown defending his approach to this core function of government, while challenger Lenny Curry has hammered Brown’s administration on the issue of violent crime. A recent school bus shooting incident reinforced the narrative. In particular, the Curry campaign has […]

Melissa RossMay 15, 2015

They’ve participated in dozens of forums together over a long and, at times, bitterly fought campaign. Thursday night’s televised debate was the final bout between Jacksonville sheriff candidates Ken Jefferson and Mike Williams, with both men looking to land a roundhouse or two before the Tuesday runoff election. The debate, held on the FSCJ South […]

Melissa RossMay 14, 2015

The Jacksonville political scene is being treated to Endorsapalooza in the final days before the city’s runoff election on Tuesday, as a slew of bold-faced names take sides in the Brown/Curry slugfest. And the two men at the top of the ticket are hunting big game in the endorsement stakes. Lenny Curry has bagged former […]

Melissa RossMay 13, 2015

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown has sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell “requesting direct discussions” with HHS to prevent closing UF Health in Jacksonville. “Jacksonville and other communities with safety-net hospitals must not be held hostage by the actions or inactions of decision-makers in Tallahassee,” Brown writes. A copy of the […]

Melissa RossMay 13, 2015

As the U.S. and Cuba edge closer to an agreement to restore full diplomatic ties, a retired State Department official who served as the senior diplomat in Cuba says Florida is well-positioned to take advantage of the historic changes. “There is this tremendous yearning in Cuba for changes to happen to allow people to have […]

Tag: Jacksonville

Matt Corrigan’s first draft on why Alvin Brown lost

Kimberly Daniels gets dirty feet on the campaign trail

Momentum turns toward GOP in Jax election afternoon update

SOE Jerry Holland: Expect at least 40 percent turnout on Jax Election Day

Sheriff John Rutherford confirms he’s running for Ron DeSantis seat

Public safety accusations fly on Election Eve in Jacksonville

Jax sheriff candidates enter ring for final round of debate

Endorsements may loom large in tight Jax mayoral race

Email insights: Alvin Brown requests “direct discussion” with HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell

“Tremendous yearning for change” in Cuba means business opportunities for Florida