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Staff ReportsMay 18, 2018

As Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is fond of saying: politics is a “relationship business.” So, this edition of Bold spotlights the utility of political friendships. Whether running for Congress or state or local office, you’d better have your friends’ endorsements (well-timed) and the interest of the donor class (early, and often). In each category, there will be […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2018

The city of Jacksonville’s approach to handling public records has taken criticism from multiple sides in the last week. Among the charges: that the city is contravening the letter and the spirit of open government by slow-walking requests, by vetting seemingly problematic applications with affected officials before fulfilling them, by claiming exemptions from disclosure, by […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2018

Jacksonville’s tradition of hosting neutral site, destination college football games continues, with city officials announcing an Aug. 31, 2019, clash between Boise State and Florida State. FSU has made a habit of neutral site games, and the game against Boise State is a compelling interconference matchup between the perennial ACC power and the perpetual Mountain […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2018

Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche may be exploring a run for Mayor, however incumbent Lenny Curry isn’t worried, he said Wednesday. “I have almost a three-year record in office now,” Curry said. “A strong record of action and getting things done. Big things that I’ve communicated to the public as I’ve tried to tackle them, and […]

Staff ReportsMay 11, 2018

August primaries are close to three months away. Vote by mail ballots will go out sooner than that. What that means is the time is now for candidates to show what their operations on the state and federal level really look like. And on the local level, where elections are still farther away, it’s infrastructure-building […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 8, 2018

On a shoestring budget of just over $9,000, Jacksonville City Councilman Sam Newby won his at-large seat on the City Council three years ago, defeating a candidate who raised 15 times what he did in the May 2015 unitary general election. And, if his first month in the race is any indication, Newby figures he can win […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 5, 2018

On Wednesday’s episode of First Coast Connect on Jacksonville’s WJCT-FM, Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche charged that her meetings were being followed and that someone in city government was snooping on the computer of her Council assistant. Citing a “trust issue,” Brosche mentioned that she was “not allowed to have meetings with department heads without clearing […]

Staff ReportsMay 4, 2018

Congressional candidates finish qualifying this week, setting the stage for a 3+ month sprint to nominations. Virtually every Congressional incumbent, save John Rutherford, will face a primary. Ted Yoho faces nominal competition for what could be his final term; Al Lawson faces more than a symbolic challenge in the form of Alvin Brown in Congressional District 5. We are a few weeks […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 3, 2018

Informed sources confirm that Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry raised more than $250,000 in April, his second straight month of strong fundraising after a $1.5 million March. The breakdown: $46,000 for the campaign (bringing its total raised to just over $300,000) and $206,000 for the “Jacksonville on the Rise” political committee (pushing it over $1.45 million raised or […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 2, 2018

JEA CEO Aaron Zahn is settling into his interim role. Florida Politics spoke with Zahn in light of recent criticism of the CEO. Navigating a tricky political climate, a neophyte to the world of municipal utilities (he was on the board weeks before he made the CEO bid), Zahn has faced a unique pressure. We discussed this and […]

Tag: Lenny Curry

Jacksonville Bold for 5.18.18 — Relationship business

Lenny Curry, Jacksonville officials defend handling of public records requests

Boise State vs. FSU game illustrates intersection of Jacksonville politics, policy

Lenny Curry not worried about possible challenge from Anna Brosche

Jacksonville Bold for 5.11.18 — Buy the ticket, take the ride

Soft April fundraising in Sam Newby’s Jacksonville City Council re-election bid

‘Twisted political game’: Cybersnooping, surveillance charges roil Jacksonville City Hall

Jacksonville Bold for 5.4.18 — Qualifying Week

As Anna Brosche mulls challenge, Lenny Curry hauls in $250K more for re-election bid

Aaron Zahn sees being JEA CEO as a long-term gig