Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiNovember 21, 2018

JAXPORT’s dredging of 11 miles of the St. Johns River scored important financial backing Wednesday, after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers budgeted $46 million more toward it in its FY 2019 work plan. The $46 million is almost equal to the $50 million secured in the previous two budget years, a potentially good sign for […]

Staff ReportsNovember 6, 2018

In the northern half of Florida, the races for Congressional District 6 and District 15 captured the attention of the national media as well as pundits. Some of the others were decided shortly after the polls closed, or before. Democratic Reps. Val Demings of Orlando and Kathy Castor of Tampa are returning to Washington after receiving no opposition in […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 5, 2018

The two Congressmen representing Jacksonville, Democrat Al Lawson and Republican John Rutherford, have become friends in the last two years. Lawson, whose 5th Congressional District sprawls from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, emphasizes working across the aisle, and in a Republican-held House that has been a useful strategy, especially for the Republican power structure that controls Jacksonville at […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 25, 2018

On Thursday afternoon, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence headlined a Jacksonville rally for Ron DeSantis. In what clearly was the Republican attempt to counter the appearance of former veep Joe Biden for the Democrats earlier this week, Pence’s arrival was another signal of how nationalized the race between DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum is. However, Duval Republicans seem to […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 22, 2018

Q3 continued a narrative trend for Jacksonville’s Congressmen, as they continued to dominate their longshot challengers in the cash race. First-term Reps. John Rutherford, a Republican and Al Lawson, a Democrat, each of whom have districts that are favorable in terms of voter profile, also connected with donors in the period leading up to Sept. 30. Rutherford, […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 18, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum will give his first major speech since returning to the campaign trail Thursday evening in Jacksonville. The Tallahassee Mayor, who took time off the trail as Tallahassee completed most of its power restoration after Hurricane Michael, is back. Gillum will address the 53rd Jacksonville NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner, a commitment he […]

Staff ReportsOctober 5, 2018

This week in City Hall, a time capsule containing artifacts from 1960 was opened. Being it’s the 50-year anniversary of Consolidation, city leaders are (understandably) in a sentimental mode. But 50 years from now? One wonders if such sentimental pulls will prevail. What kind of letters would current City Council members write to those who […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 4, 2018

U.S. Rep. John Rutherford has had countless fundraisers in his political career. However, few invites have urged attendees to bring their shotguns. Friday’s funder will fall under the latter category, as financial supporters of the straight-shooting Jacksonville Republican are urged to bring their 12-gauge guns and their checkbooks to a combination clay shoot/fundraiser. The event, at […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 28, 2018

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Five decades ago, Jacksonville consolidated city and county services. For 50 years since people have been arguing about whether it was a good idea. We saw it last week: a mayoral forum involving Mayor Lenny Curry and his five living predecessors (look for the replay Sunday on This Week in Jacksonville). Curry, seeking re-election, sounded […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 26, 2018

Duval County was the epicenter of some of the most savage attacks against Ron DeSantis in the Republican Gubernatorial primary. Many prominent Republicans, including U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, state Sen. Aaron Bean, state Rep. Cord Byrd, and Jacksonville City Council President Aaron Bowman, strongly backed Adam Putnam. However, the candidate who “knew Florida best” didn’t prevail. And Jacksonville area Republicans will […]

Tag: john rutherford
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

‘A major victory for our region’: John Rutherford on new JAXPORT money

Several North Florida Congressional incumbents cruise to big wins

Al Lawson, John Rutherford expect radical change after House flip

Enthusiasm gap? Small Jacksonville crowd for Mike Pence and Ron DeSantis

No drama: John Rutherford, Al Lawson dominate cash race against longshot challengers

Dueling Jacksonville events for Andrew Gillum, Ron DeSantis Thursday evening

Jacksonville Bold for 10.5.18 — Time in a bottle

12-gauges and checkbooks: Shooting range setting for John Rutherford fundraiser

Jacksonville Bold for 9.28.18 — A good idea?

Duval Republicans to fete Ron DeSantis with Wednesday fundraiser