Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 20, 2015

A year ago, a small cadre of party insiders and money men were the only ones who could be said to believe that Lenny Curry had what it took to be mayor of Jacksonville. Up against a charismatic incumbent with high approval ratings, people said he was foolish to even try. Fast forward to May […]

Phil AmmannMay 19, 2015

In the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office runoff, it may have been interesting, and at times there was suspense, but Mike Williams began the evening with the lead, and never really left. Williams, a Republican who recieved a number of high-profile endorsements in the race, overtook Democrat Ken Jefferson early on to win 52 to 48 percent, according to the Duval County Supervisor of Elections website. Williams now replaces […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

Duval County Sheriff John Rutherford has been a vocal critic of Mayor Alvin Brown and a supporter of his hand-picked successor Mike Williams in the Jacksonville mayor and sheriff’s races. Tuesday morning though, Rutherford turned an eye toward the next election cycle, revealing for the first time his next move as he leaves the Jacksonville […]

Melissa RossMay 18, 2015

Public safety has emerged as a major issue in Jacksonville’s superclose mayor’s race, with incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown defending his approach to this core function of government, while challenger Lenny Curry has hammered Brown’s administration on the issue of violent crime. A recent school bus shooting incident reinforced the narrative. In particular, the Curry campaign has […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 18, 2015

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The slogan on billboards across Jacksonville during even-numbered years is Corrine Delivers! If Mayor Alvin Brown wins re-election on Tuesday, he can probably thank U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown for helping to push him over the hump, especially if the Selma Sunday GOTV rally is any indication. Not every rally leading up to this election has been […]

Melissa RossMay 15, 2015

They’ve participated in dozens of forums together over a long and, at times, bitterly fought campaign. Thursday night’s televised debate was the final bout between Jacksonville sheriff candidates Ken Jefferson and Mike Williams, with both men looking to land a roundhouse or two before the Tuesday runoff election. The debate, held on the FSCJ South […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 15, 2015

Before the third and final Jacksonville mayoral debate between Lenny Curry and Alvin Brown Thursday, the chants of “Four more years,” reminiscent of the Nixon-Agnew 1972 campaign, rang so loud they could be heard inside the empty Terry Concert Hall, where moderator Kent Justice was doing a run through before the telecast started at 8 p.m.. It seemed […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 13, 2015

The second of three debates between Jacksonville Sheriff’s Candidates Ken Jefferson and Mike Williams, held at Jacksonville University on Wednesday evening, is likely to be the most widely viewed of the three debates. The first one, held a week prior at First Coast News, saw Jefferson on the defensive quite often as the 30 minute discussion veered […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 7, 2015

Before Wednesday night’s debate between Alvin Brown and Lenny Curry, I bumped into the Republican candidate outside the debate hall on the Florida State College at Jacksonville South campus. He was enthusiastic about having the opportunity to debate Mayor Brown, saying that it was the “right thing for the mayor to do.” A somewhat surprising statement, given the […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 5, 2015

Mike Williams and Ken Jefferson have seen a lot of each other during the past few months. They’re two driven men, with driven organizations behind them, who want the same thing. You knew it was going to get heated, you just didn’t know when or how or who would be first. After Tuesday night’s debate on First Coast News, […]

Tag: john rutherford

The making of the mayor: Lenny Curry’s rise to lead Jacksonville

Last-minute push helps Mike Williams win Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office runoff

Sheriff John Rutherford confirms he’s running for Ron DeSantis seat

Public safety accusations fly on Election Eve in Jacksonville

Congressional Black Caucus highlights Selma Sunday in Jacksonville

Jax sheriff candidates enter ring for final round of debate

Final Jax mayoral debate sees Alvin Brown on defensive

A turning point in the Jax Sheriff campaign? Ken Jefferson makes his populist case

Public safety takes center stage at Jacksonville mayoral debate

Jacksonville sheriff TV debate gets personal