Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2018

The Second Amendment has already surfaced as an issue in the Attorney General race, although a different perspective will likely emerge once Sean Shaw hits the campaign trail full-time. The Tampa Democrat hasn’t done much campaigning since he officially entered the contest last month, but, undoubtedly, he will transition into candidate-mode when the Legislative Session […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 25, 2018

Bill Nelson is responding to criticism offered by Rick Scott that the Democrat has done “nothing” when it comes to gun safety. “I have voted for and sponsored every major piece of legislation, including the comprehensive background checks, as well as getting the assault rifles off the streets,” Nelson told reporters Sunday following a church service […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 23, 2018

In the aftermath of the shooting massacre in Parkland last week, Florida Democrats (and some Republicans) have talked about reducing the ability for some individuals to acquire firearms. Meanwhile, state Rep. Ross Spano, a candidate for Attorney General, is going in the opposite direction. Spano and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd released their own sets of proposals Friday to […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 23, 2018

On Wednesday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry held a media event in which he and City Councilman Al Ferraro filled potholes in roads in a Northside industrial park. Curry wanted to focus on the hard work being done, day in and day out, by city employees to maintain public infrastructure. A laudable goal. Especially given where […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2018

The long-awaited competitive Republican primary in Jacksonville’s House District 15 is now a reality, with yacht broker Mark Zeigler entering the race Thursday. Incumbent Jay Fant is currently running for Attorney General. Zeigler’s rationale for running: “We need more people who understand the impact that the rules made in Tallahassee have on our small businesses. Every time a […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2018

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As the push for gun control measures grips the state of Florida, attention has turned to the positions of Northeast Florida Republicans. Despite the carnage in Parkland, and the unprecedented activism in its wake, Republicans in the Jacksonville region aren’t evolving on the matter of assault weapons bans. The latest example: 4th Circuit State Attorney Melissa […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 21, 2018

If elected, Democratic Attorney General candidate Ryan Torrens says he would not enforce Florida law that prohibits cities and counties from enacting their own gun-control ordinances. Local officials who do enforce them can face a $5,000 fine. “It is blatantly clear that Gov. (Rick) Scott and our state Legislature are not willing to lift a […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2018

Florida is poised to make history with the Legislature’s Tuesday passage of a proposal to place a statue of civil-rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune in the National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. The statue of Bethune would replace a likeness of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, who has represented Florida for decades in […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2018

As the nation mourns the massacre of 17 people in a Parkland High School, a Republican candidate for Attorney General asserts that calls for gun control are the province of “liberals on Fake News.” Rep. Jay Fant, a Jacksonville Republican, tweeted Friday that “Liberals on Fake News keep saying gun control is the answer. It’s not. […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 16, 2018

Before we get to federal and state news, let’s take a look at local drama. In what has been the roughest week for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, his administration pushed forth to a skeptical City Council and the querulous crowd a controversial report Wednesday urging the sale of the local public utility. The valuation study […]

Tag: Jay Fant

Sean Shaw: Second Amendment silent on assault weapons

Bill Nelson dismisses Rick Scott charge he’s done ‘nothing’ on gun safety

Ross Spano, Grady Judd call for allowing guns in schools, churches

Jacksonville Bold for 2.23.18 — The Steamroller

Mark Ziegler becomes second Republican to enter race to replace Jay Fant in HD 15

For prominent Jacksonville Republicans, it’s impossible to buck the NRA

Ryan Torrens says he’ll allow local gun control laws

Bethune statue bill heads to governor

For Jay Fant, ‘liberals on Fake News’ are driving gun control debate

Jacksonville Bold for 2.16.18 — Power play