Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 13, 2017

Former 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk took a hit from the Florida Ethics Commission last week in a closed session. But despite the finding of probable cause, it won’t matter much. “The Commission accepted the recommendation of its Advocate, finding probable cause,” read a news release, which added that the commission “also decided to take […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 7, 2017

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For an indication of the seismic change in the office of 4th Circuit Public Defender Charlie Cofer, look no further than his just-announced appearance at a late April panel. The panel: “Better Justice Florida: A Forum on Criminal Justice Reform.” Among the focuses of the Apr. 29 event at the Florida Coastal School of Law: Florida’s […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 12, 2017

Northeast Florida Democrats were incensed last year at being disenfranchised in closed GOP primaries for state attorney and public defender. Now, one of their own — House District 13 Rep. Tracie Davis — has filed a bill in the Florida House to remedy that condition. And her political mentor, Sen. Audrey Gibson, filed the Senate version. House […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 23, 2016

Just as a cat has multiple lives, so too does Sam Shiver, who will be employed in the 4th Circuit Public Defender’s office once Charlie Cofer takes over in January. Shiver was first introduced to Florida Politics readers in December 2015, when he confirmed that Matt Shirk would be running for re-election. Cofer told us that he had heard Shiver […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 20, 2016

On Monday, Jenna Bourne of Action News Jax revealed that Robbie Foster, communications director for 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk, “barely swipes in at work.” By “swipes in,” Bourne meant Foster using his ID badge to get in the building. And by “barely,” Bourne meant that Foster used his card to get into the building […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 18, 2016

Did 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk have a #FridayFeeling? He allowed his Jacksonville employees to leave early on Friday afternoon. Informed sources confirm people were allowed to leave at 2:45 p.m. Those same sources contend that wasn’t an coincidental time to have been chosen. PD-elect Charles Cofer was set to arrive at the PD’s office at 3 […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 29, 2016

Here’s what we know about the primary in Duval County, as of the close of Early Voting on Sunday. Turnout, thus far, is at 14.14 percent. Of the Democrats, 33,210 of 230,529 — or 14.6 percent — have voted. Meanwhile, of the 215,025 Republicans registered, 40,423 — or 18.8 percent — have voted. Of the 120,124 NPA voters, 6,470 […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 26, 2016

On Friday morning, 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk made a curious decision: to send what appears to be a campaign email from his City of Jacksonville email account. Shirk wasn’t messaging in his own campaign, in which he is down by 22 points to Charles Cofer, according to the most recent poll of the race. Rather, he is […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2016

A web ad touting 4th Circuit State Attorney Angela Corey‘s use of Veterans Court has drawn scrutiny, both on and off the record. And Corey is pushing back against the assertions. Among the assertions: that Corey opposed the creation of Veterans Treatment Court and continues to oppose it. And that her web ad misrepresents her commitment […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 15, 2016

A new ad from the Northeast Florida Committee for Principled Government, an ECO, tells Public Defender Matt Shirk that two terms are enough and “the party’s over.” John Daigle, who runs the ECO and the campaign of Shirk’s GOP primary opponent, Charles Cofer, notes “this campaign was funded in large part by legal community leaders from both […]

Tag: Matt Shirk

Ethics Commission dings Matt Shirk for pushing ‘Sober 101’

Charlie Cofer panel appearance signals real difference in Jax Public Defender office

Florida House bill seeks non-partisan elections for state attorneys, public defenders

Former Matt Shirk spox to find second life in Charlie Cofer’s office

Matt Shirk comms director blasts Action News Jax for ‘out-of-context attack’

‘Early out’ from Matt Shirk’s office raises questions

New Republicans could be the x-factor in Duval County primaries

Did Matt Shirk send a campaign email from his government account?

Angela Corey veterans’ court ad gets pushback; Corey counters

New PAC ad funded by former supporters tells Matt Shirk ‘the party’s over’