Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 19, 2016

It’s appropriate that former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney is President of the University of North Florida. His time in public service in Jacksonville coincides nicely with the University of North Florida’s transition from a commuter school for working adults in the 1970s and ’80s to the thriving regional university it is today. The campus has been […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 14, 2016

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The narrative that seems to be emerging in the Congressional District 4 race has John Rutherford as the presumptive GOP nominee to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, especially with John Delaney out of the race. However, it’s not a done deal yet. Multiple sources say that Jay Fant is considering a run. The first-term Jacksonville state representative may seem like an […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 14, 2016

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Former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney will not run to replace Rep. Ander Crenshaw. This means a significant barrier to the potential candidacy of former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford in CD 4 is out of the way. Delaney arrived at the decision after talking to his wife Wednesday night, a conversation that happened after he flew back to Jacksonville from California. […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 13, 2016

In a recent interview with FloridaPolitics.com, Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Schellenberg took issue with former mayor John Delaney’s handling of the pension issue during his time in office. The real question, Schellenberg said, is that the deal that Delaney authorized “was illegal” and that the former Jacksonville Mayor from 1995 to 2003 “caused the problem.” […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 25, 2016

Good news: Rick Scott signed the “pension tax” bill, allowing a referendum on extending the 1/2 cent BJP tax until 2060 to deal with the unfunded pension liability. Now, the question: how to sell it to the people? Selling a sales tax referendum has been done in Jacksonville before. In fact, selling a ½ cent sales […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 11, 2016

In the Sine Die edition of “As the Pension Tax Turns,” there is (potentially) great news for Jacksonville advocates of the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill that the Senate just passed. The bill goes to the Gov. Rick Scott on Friday, says a very reliable source. And Scott made what has been called a “solid commitment” […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 3, 2016

In a wide-ranging interview Thursday morning, Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Schellenberg talked about Uber and the taxis, the John Keane deal and John Delaney’s role in it, and Katrina Brown. Schellenberg, the chair of the Vehicles for Hire committee, was lambasted by a cab company executive for pushing back the next committee meeting date until March 22, with […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In the 2015 May election, Tommy Hazouri was the leading citywide vote getter. The former mayor was buoyed by an interesting coalition: voters who remembered his tenure as mayor with fondness, along with young people energized by his proactive stance on Human Rights Ordinance expansion. His appeal crossed party lines; his messaging hit the same […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, get ready for your closeup. You’re about to become central to the GOP Florida Presidential Primary in a real way. As the only Republican big city mayor in the state, and as someone whose endorsement can swing the election, you’re going to be courted. The local party hands want you to be […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 29, 2016

I knew something unpopular was about to happen Thursday night when I saw this Facebook post from Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry quoting Harry Truman. “Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may curse tomorrow and only one thing endures. Character.” Truman’s motto: the buck stops here. The irony: that […]

Tag: John Delaney
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Performance funding problems feature during Joe Negron’s University of North Florida tour

Sources: Jay Fant, Aaron Bean looking at CD 4 run

John Delaney decides against congressional run in CD 4

John Delaney responds to Matt Schellenberg’s “Teflon John” attack on Jax pension issue

How to sell a sales tax referendum in Jacksonville

Jax pension tax bill goes to Rick Scott Friday; he’s likely to sign

Matt Schellenberg talks Uber, John Keane, “Teflon John” Delaney, and Katrina Brown

Tommy Hazouri contemplates leadership, legacy, and the HRO

How Jacksonville could swing the GOP presidential primary

Lenny Curry’s HRO punt and the process going forward