Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 19, 2016

The campaign of Hans Tanzler III in Florida’s 4th Congressional District has seen robust fundraising, heavy personal loans, and a lot of spending. But he only has $82,314 on hand, well behind former Jacksonville sheriff John Rutherford, who has $136,000. Tanzler has, throughout the whole campaign, raised $395,330, and has another $400,000 in personal loans. The spending […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2016

After Wednesday night’s debate of Florida 4th Congressional District Republicans, John Rutherford, Hans Tanzler, and Lake Ray addressed the media. Rutherford wanted to clarify his position on guns. “I never supported a national gun registry. I never opposed Stand Your Ground or the Castle Doctrine,” the former Jacksonville sheriff noted. The Tanzler side has taken to calling him “Liberal […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2016

[Note: a previous version of this piece incorrectly claimed that Shoar issued to Bill McClure a warrant in 2015, regarding a dispute with a former business partner. Shoar did not issue a warrant, and cannot according to Florida law. We regret the error. Widely reported at the time, McClure did note at the time that the matter […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 17, 2016

Donald Trump and illegal immigrants; mass deportations and building the wall. Earmarks and limited government. NAFTA and TPP. ISIS and Black Lives Matter. NRA ratings and graveside pictures. These were the topics. A half-empty room and an hour of tepid exchanges. An enthusiasm gap from the crowd; an energy gap from the stage. At least, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 17, 2016

A notable Super PAC in the Republican race in Florida’s 4th Congressional District supports Hans Tanzler, and its interest in the race is to drive up John Rutherford‘s negatives. As the election approaches, it’s instructive to note how much interest in the race the “Conservative Outsider” committee has. $204,509 has been spent thus far, after another eye popping […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 16, 2016

Hans Tanzler and John Rutherford are slated to go mano a mano on WJXT-TV Wednesday as part of the 4th Congressional District debate, but their attitude is the more the merrier on the stage. The debate is currently restricted to the top four in polls, now Tanzler, Rutherford, Lake Ray and Bill McClure. But Tanzler and Rutherford want all seven candidates […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 11, 2016

There’s only one super PAC in the Republican race in Florida’s Congressional District 4, and it has set its sights on front-runner John Rutherford. The Conservative Outsider PAC is spending $120,000 this month to sway voters in Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties, in what appears to be a last gasp of the anti-Rutherford forces. Of […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 10, 2016

With less than three weeks until the Aug. 30 primary in Florida’s 4th Congressional District, a University of North Florida poll says it’s still John Rutherford’s race to lose. Rutherford has 31 percent, ahead of Hans Tanzler at 13 percent, Lake Ray at 10 percent, and Bill McClure at 5 percent. Other candidates — Steve Kaufman, Ed Malin, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 5, 2016

John Rutherford and Bill McClure were both on-the-spot last weekend during a motorist rescue operation on Interstate 95. And on Thursday, the two Congressional District 4 Republican candidates were linked once more, as the top two finishers in the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce straw poll. This poll lacked the drama of the one held […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

Lions … tigers … bears … and GOP Congressional candidates. All will be at the Jacksonville Zoo Tuesday for a forum involving 4th Congressional District Republicans. One caveat, however: none of the Republicans will be in cages. The forum will be held in the Samburu Room, under the auspices of the Northside Business Leaders, starting […]

Tag: john rutherford
Image via AP.

Hans Tanzler has $82K cash on hand for final days of CD 4 primary

CD 4 candidates evaluate Wednesday night’s debate

John Rutherford reports $136K left in bank for CD 4 primary

CD 4 Republicans clash in only TV debate, held in half-empty theater

Anti John Rutherford PAC has poured $204K into CD 4 race

John Rutherford, Hans Tanzler call for all seven CD 4 candidates to debate

Conservative Outsider PAC spending six figures on TV to hit John Rutherford

Poll: John Rutherford is cruising to victory in CD 4 race

John Rutherford wins St. Johns Chamber straw poll; Bill McClure comes in second

CD 4 Republicans to face off Tuesday at Jacksonville Zoo