Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 22, 2018

The top job starting July 1 in the Jacksonville City Council will go to current Vice President Aaron Bowman, elected President-Designate Tuesday. There was little surprise: Bowman had 13 of the 19 councilors pledging support to him weeks prior. President-Designate Bowman, a VP for the Jacksonville Chamber‘s business recruitment wing JAXUSA Partnership, will represent a break […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 22, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott was in Jacksonville Tuesday morning, with what his office called a “major announcement” regarding “Florida’s safe communities” and the 2017 FDLE Crime Report. Crime rates have decreased during the Scott era (from a 40 year low to a 46 year low and now, a 47 year low), and his trumpeting of the statistical decreases […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 21, 2018

A major regional endorsement, via Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, went to Mike Waltz in the three-way GOP primary in Florida’s 6th Congressional District Monday. Curry and Waltz share some of the same political advisers, and judging from the quotes of mutual admiration, there is ideological affinity as well. “Michael Waltz is a leader and a warrior with a […]

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 […]

Tag: Lenny Curry
State Rep. Angie Nixon (center) leads a protest against immigration policies Saturday outside the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Image via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics.

Jacksonville City Council elects Aaron Bowman to presidency; Scott Wilson VP

Rick Scott trumpets another record low state crime rate

Lenny Curry backs Mike Waltz for Congress

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