Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 21, 2015

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Florida Politics has learned that Bill Spann, the spokesman for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, has agreed to be director of the Military Affairs and Veterans Department for the city. A letter from Curry states, regarding Spann, that “from day one, Bill told us his one true passion was to serve our active duty military, Guard and Reserve, veterans, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 21, 2015

Adults, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said, are all “nice and political” when they talk with politicians. However, talking to young men, such as the about 100 graduates of the One City One Jacksonville Leadership Academy Curry spoke with Friday morning in a no-holds-barred Q&A at City Hall, demands more candor and realism. “You know if someone’s BSing you,” […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 21, 2015

On Thursday night, Tim McGraw played Jacksonville. Virtually everyone but this writer seemingly was there. Among those attending: three of the biggest power players in #jaxpol. Jax Chamber President Daniel Davis, Council President Greg Anderson, and, wearing a 10-gallon hat that his childhood idol Dusty Rhodes would have endorsed, Mayor Lenny Curry. Davis has spoken often in public, as recently […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 20, 2015

The political symbiosis of Florida Governor Rick Scott and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry yet again was demonstrated when the two men held a joint Thursday afternoon presser at Citibank in Jacksonville’s fast-growing Bartram Park neighborhood. Both men, along with Jaguars owner Shad Khan, spoke at the Enterprise Florida event on Thursday morning. The subject at Citibank: job creation. […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 20, 2015

As the Lenny Curry administration settles in, new appointees look to be advanced to various boards in the coming weeks. Mary Harvey and Lea Mahan are being advanced as a possible member of the Art in Public Places committee. Russ Thomas and Jay Demetree are potential appointees to the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. John Rood, a key supporter of Curry during his campaign, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 20, 2015

The conference room at the high-end Sawgrass Marriott at Ponte Vedra Beach where Enterprise Florida held its presentation Thursday morning is, appropriately enough, called the Champions Room. That’s appropriate given that those attending were among of the best and brightest in the Sunshine State’s business community. It was also appropriate given that the speakers were […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 19, 2015

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Another day, another departure of an Alvin Brown political appointee. Wednesday’s edition: Melody Bishop, the wife of one-time mayoral candidate Bill Bishop, from the Downtown Investment Authority board. In a letter to Jordan Elsbury, the Director of Appointments and Special Projects for the Lenny Curry administration, Bishop, “with heavy heart,” offers her resignation “effective immediately.” She wanted the opportunity to meet […]

Melissa RossAugust 19, 2015

The Reverend John Guns lights up with enthusiasm as he talks about the new back-to-school initiative in Jacksonville designed to support and encourage male students from 6th through 12th grades — one with strong buy-in from the city’s mayor, sheriff, and school superintendent. “It’s an exciting week,” said Guns during an appearance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect. […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 19, 2015

Enterprise Florida is the official economic development organization for the state of Florida. Jobs in the Sunshine State, by most measures, are booming. Florida is, as they say, open for business. However, there is a caveat, which was revealed Wednesday morning during the Enterprise Florida Board Legislative Policy Meeting. And it is a significant caveat. […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2015

On Monday night, the Republican Party of Duval County elected Lake Ray as its new chairman, replacing Robin Lumb. Having heard that former mayoral candidate Bill Bishop was at the REC meeting, I was curious about his thoughts regarding both chairmen. So I texted him. Bishop, as almost invariably has been the case when I’ve asked him a […]

Tag: Lenny Curry
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Bill Spann to be COJ director of Military Affairs; Marsha Oliver new public affairs chief

Lenny Curry talks real with 1C1J Leadership Academy grads

Cowboy up: one picture shows the coalescing of Jax power

Rick Scott, Lenny Curry trumpet job creation

Potential new board appointees from Lenny Curry administration

Rick Scott, Lenny Curry, Shad Khan make case for Enterprise Florida funding

Melody Bishop leaves Downtown Investment Authority, pledges “support” to Curry

John Guns: one city/one Jacksonville “an exciting week”

Enterprise Florida: “Our competitors are smiling”

Bill Bishop versus the Duval REC