Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 21, 2017

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2016’s race for Jacksonville City Council VP was full of twists and turns and betrayals. John Crescimbeni pulled it out, after a pledge for opponent Doyle Carter flipped. On Tuesday, 2017’s race for the slot — a prerequisite for the presidency — started in earnest, with Southside Republican Scott Wilson declaring his candidacy. In his letter to […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

Last week, Ron Salem became the first candidate to file for 2019’s Jacksonville City Council races. The Southside Republican, running to replace termed-out John Crescimbeni in At-Large Group 2, is almost immediately set up as the candidate to beat in that race. The proof: an invite for a fundraiser next week, featuring an all-star list of supporters that […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 10, 2017

Local Republican insider Ron Salem is the first of dozens of candidates to file to run for Jacksonville City Council in 2019. Salem filed to run in At Large Group 2 — a seat held by longtime Councilman John Crescimbeni, who will be termed out the same year. Salem has a connection to Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. He […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2017

The Jacksonville City Council’s Finance Committee approved the expansion of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance on Wednesday morning. The measure was approved by a 4-3 vote, with Bill Gulliford, Sam Newby, and Matt Schellenberg opposing expansion. The expansion would add sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to the list of protected categories under the ordinance, which ensures […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 6, 2017

Monday morning saw the first of three Jacksonville City Council committees approve the latest attempt to expand the Human Rights Ordinance. The vote was 4-2. The measure would extend protections in housing, public accommodations, and employment on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. As well, the bill offered in its original form […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2017

On Thursday, opponents of Jacksonville’s proposed expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance had their say in the Council Chambers. Councilman Bill Gulliford, launching the meeting, noted the passion surrounding this issue, which is now in its fifth year of being debated citywide. “I decided to have this meeting for several reasons,” Gulliford said, including “objective discussion” of […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

An “equal opportunity” bill introduced to the Jacksonville City Council by Garrett Dennis picked up momentum Tuesday, with a half dozen councilmembers and stakeholders attending a public notice meeting to discuss it. Dennis framed this bill as an attempt to ensure city agencies and independent authorities to “cast a broader net” in their hiring process. “This […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 29, 2016

Jacksonville politics is like a Southern family reunion: there are characters of all types. The 2017 list points out ten of those members of the #Jaxpol family who are uniquely positioned to be in the headlines for one reason or another. We are hoping that 2016 was an outlier year for scandals, and are not projecting […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 13, 2016

Tuesday night’s meeting of the Jacksonville City Council was more notable for being the last one of 2016 than it was for any particular legislative achievement. Among the highlights: $70,000 was appropriated for “neighborhood events” for Jacksonville City Council members. And $415,000 appropriated for the installation of temporary seats for the TaxSlayer Bowl. “This is […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2016

The city of Jacksonville spends over $200,000 a year for association memberships, such as the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, National Association of Counties and U.S. Conference of Mayors. But some council members contend that the money isn’t being optimally spent, because restricted travel budgets don’t allow Jacksonville to represent its own […]

Tag: John Crescimbeni

Scott Wilson launches run for Jacksonville City Council VP

Ron Salem kicks off 2019 Jacksonville City Council race with high-powered fundraiser

Ron Salem launches 2019 run for Jacksonville City Council

Jacksonville HRO clears final city council committee

Amended HRO expansion bill clears first Jacksonville City Council committee

Jacksonville LGBT rights opponents speak; Bill Gulliford talks HRO referendum

Jacksonville equal opportunity ordinance picks up momentum

10 people to watch in 2017 in Jacksonville politics

Jacksonville City Council wraps up 2016

Jacksonville council members hammer out travel budget details