Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 8, 2016

The Florida Commission on Ethics this month determined “probable cause” in three incidents related to 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk, whose hiring of three women from a now-defunct bar called “Whiskey River,” and subsequent entertaining of the women in his office, were matters of media interest a couple of years back. Two other incidents, meanwhile, didn’t meet […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 8, 2016

Last month, the end of a debate between 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk and State Attorney Angela Corey got ugly. Shirk brought up a stunning video: that of an inmate, DeAndre Ezell, getting knocked unconscious by an officer while being questioned in the Duval County jail. Ezell was charged in November 2014 for non-violently resisting arrest and, after standing […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 8, 2016

The 4th Circuit Public Defender race, encompassing Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties, is heating up, as challenger Charles Cofer charges incumbent Matt Shirk is using state-paid public employees of the Office of Public Defender for his campaign. “It is clear that Mr. Shirk has found it difficult to raise funds to support his campaign,” Cofer said. “It is also clear […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 7, 2016

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In May, former Duval County chief judge Charles Cofer began spending in earnest in his GOP primary bid to unseat 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk. The 4th Circuit encompasses Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties. Cofer raised just over $11,000 in May, including two key max contributions: one from Gate Petroleum, the company of former Jacksonville Mayor John […]

Melissa RossJune 7, 2016

Activists in Jacksonville are hosting a town hall meeting tonight at the Wells Fargo offices on North Main Street after weeks of protests against the shooting death of Vernell Bing. The Kemetic Empire says it’s hosting the event “to present solutions, a platform for the community to express their views and concerns.” Invited to appear […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 25, 2016

On Wednesday in Jacksonville, 4th Circuit State Attorney Angela Corey and Public Defender Matt Shirk had what was being billed as a “friendly discussion of the justice system and to boost knowledge about the issues discussed.” What it was, instead, was a mauling. Corey went on the offense from the beginning, dishing out pointed attacks both […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 25, 2016

One might think, given the fact that 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk and State Attorney Angela Corey are in competitive GOP primaries, they might debate their opponents. While there’s still plenty of time for that to happen, it’s not happening Wednesday afternoon. The embattled incumbents, each facing challenges from members of their own party, will instead debate each other. […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 11, 2016

When T.S. Eliot said “April is the cruelest month,” he likely didn’t have Matt Shirk‘s fundraising in mind — but the maxim applies nonetheless. The 4th Circuit public defender brought in just $1,800 in April, with no notable donors in the mix for the Jacksonville Republican. Shirk has brought in $26,975 during his re-election campaign, and has $25,665.80 […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 4, 2016

The 4th circuit Public Defender race will have a closed primary between GOP incumbent Matt Shirk and challenger Charles Cofer, as write-in candidate Roland Falcon entered the contest Wednesday. If Shirk and Cofer had remained the only two on the ballot, all voters could have cast their ballots and the race would have been decided by the Aug. 30 primary. Falcon, a […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 12, 2016

Matt Shirk is in trouble in his re-election bid for 4th Circuit Public Defender. And he blames an unlikely coalition for his troubles. “It’s no surprise to me that with the support of Angela Corey and the liberal trial bar, my opponent has outraised me,” Shirk said in a statement dictated over the phone by […]

Tag: Matt Shirk

Matt Shirk takes hits from state Ethics Commission

Matt Shirk charges Angela Corey with ‘violation of public trust’

Charles Cofer: Matt Shirk is using public employees for campaign purposes

4th Circuit Public Defender candidate Charles Cofer spends big in May

Town hall tonight in Jacksonville focusing on police shootings

Angela Corey comes out swinging against the public defender and the media

Matt Shirk, Angela Corey to debate Wednesday … will the right questions be asked?

Public Defender Matt Shirk’s fundraising hit a trough in April

Write-in candidate Roland Falcon enters 4th circuit Public Defender race

4th Circuit PD Matt Shirk attacks opponent Charles Cofer, and Cofer issues a devastating response

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.