Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJuly 2, 2018

The Jacksonville City Council begins its summer break (July 2 — 13). This is advantageous: It allows them to order more plaques and picture frames for proclamations, and allows some time to plan more creative escapes from the dreaded Sunshine Law. The schedule has a lull, but that doesn’t mean things are getting dull. What […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 29, 2018

Disclosure: this writer appeared in front of this task force for a “media panel.” Jacksonville’s slogan, “It’s easier here,” doesn’t extend to navigating local government or getting real information from it, according to a group of community leaders assembled by former City Council President Anna Brosche. In its final report, the Jacksonville City Council Task Force […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 29, 2018

Aaron-Bowman-and-Scott-Wilson-will-lead-the-Council-starting-July-1..jpg

Mayor Lenny Curry‘s man — Councilman Aaron Bowman — will run the City Council for the next year, presumably with the same no-nonsense efficiency he demonstrated running Mayport. Curry is on board with Bowman’s plans. Good stuff From @AaronAbowman. Goal and plan focused. https://t.co/SQzZOtQifT — Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) June 29, 2018 As well, one of the best-received […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 28, 2018

The changing of the guard becomes official Thursday for the Jacksonville City Council when Aaron Bowman, a VP of the Jacksonville Chamber’s JAXUSA business recruitment wing, assumes the presidency. The event at the Times-Union Center kicks off at 6 p.m. Bowman moves from the vice-presidency to the presidency, after an uncontested candidacy that was supported by […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2018

Tuesday evening represents a changing of the guard for the Jacksonville City Council. It will be President Anna Brosche’s last meeting as presiding officer. Thursday sees current VP Aaron Bowman installed as her successor. Among the highlights of a light Tuesday legislative agenda are presentations from two task forces Brosche created: One on local civil rights history; […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 19, 2018

Even before the 2019 city elections, the Jacksonville City Council is in a time of turmoil. Two members have been suspended, facing federal charges in a conspiracy to defraud. And a third member, Doyle Carter, has already submitted a resignation letter as he runs for Duval County Tax Collector. Whereas the two suspended members will see […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 18, 2018

With less than a year before Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry faces the voters, a “good news/bad news” scenario awaits his political operation. The good news: there’s no viable competition filed to run against him yet, even as one could make the argument that City Council antagonists Anna Brosche and Garrett Dennis have sounded like candidates for a while. The […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 18, 2018

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry kicked off his administration’s summer jobs program Monday, rebranded as the “Mayor’s Youth at Work Partnership.” Now in its 12th year, the program will serve 350 youth aged 16-21 between June 18 and July 27. They will have job opportunities; 20 hour-a-week gigs with both the city and the private sector. The goal […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 18, 2018

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has been in re-election mode for a few months, and after a year of political turbulence in City Hall, a smoother flight looks likely for the first-term Republican incumbent’s fourth year in office. For one thing, ally Aaron Bowman, who shares Curry’s aggressive vision for downtown development, will be Council President. Bowman […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 15, 2018

On Thursday, the Jacksonville Daily Record broke news about a City Hall conceptual drawing of the space where the Jacksonville Landing is now. Gone: the 30-year-old riverfront mall, which has been a source of civic contention for well over a decade. In its stead: a riverfront park. Legal action continues between the city and Jacksonville Landing […]

Tag: Lenny Curry
Image via AP.

What to watch for in July in Jacksonville politics

Jacksonville task force slams Lenny Curry, City Council for transparency issues

Subtext the story at Jacksonville City Council leadership installation

Aaron Bowman to assume Jacksonville City Council presidency Thursday

Jacksonville City Council bids farewell to the Anna Brosche presidency

Second candidate Sharol Noblejas files for impending Jacksonville City Council vacancy

Lenny Curry critics ‘chirp’ about strongman tactics, transparency issues, stalled agenda

Jacksonville youth summer jobs program to emphasize ‘career pathways’

Will real competition emerge to stop Lenny Curry’s re-election?

Jacksonville Landing park: The first big idea of Lenny Curry’s second term?