Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 11, 2016

4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk faces an unenviable task of battling a well-funded primary opponent, Charles Cofer, who has unimpeachable credibility in Jacksonville. For the second straight month, Cofer scored more than $25,000 in donations. His $25,430 brought his total raised up to $85,385, against only $17,688 spent. Combined with a $7,000 loan earlier this year, […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 6, 2016

In recent weeks, the office of 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk has been liberal with criticisms of State Attorney Angela Corey, as both pivot toward August primaries. February saw Shirk’s office castigate Corey’s shop for disregarding the wishes of the victim’s mother in a murder case, pursuing the death penalty against her wishes, and violating confidentiality […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 5, 2016

In a letter Tuesday, 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk took issue with State Attorney Angela Corey regarding the latter’s “defiant stance as it relates to referrals of veterans into the Duval County Veterans Court.” This is, Shirk wrote, something of a historical controversy. “In 2011, the Public Defender’s Office proposed the establishment of a Veterans Court. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2016

At the start of the year, I made 12 predictions for 2016 in Jacksonville politics. A fourth of the way through, revisiting them is useful. Some I got right. Some I got wrong. Some are still in progress. Predictions 1 and 2 revolved around the Human Rights Ordinance expansion, which was the issue du jour. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 24, 2016

The Shelby Farah murder trial has become an increasingly heated conflict between Public Defender Matt Shirk and State Attorney Angela Corey. A major issue is the decision of Bernie de la Rionda in the State Attorney’s Office to show the surveillance video of the telephone store clerk’s slaying to her brother, Caleb. Shelby Farah’s mother Darlene Farah was vehemently […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 10, 2016

A $31,670 February for Charles Cofer, 4th Circuit candidate for public defender, brings Cofer up to almost $60,000 raised during his three months in the race. The majority of Cofer’s 92 contributions came from the legal community, a base Cofer expected to provide such support. Among the names are Jim Rinaman, Holland and Knight, Harrell and Harrell, and […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 18, 2016

Public Defender Matt Shirk sent a letter Thursday to State Attorney Angela Corey, urging her to reconsider seeking the death penalty of James Rhodes, saying that Corey’s position demonstrates a “disregard” of the wishes of the victim’s mother that is “troubling” to the public defender. Rhodes, charged with murder of a store clerk in 2013, has been for “more than […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 10, 2016

Fourth Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk filed for re-election in mid-January, and he’s “pleased” with the $9,100 raised thus far. Among maximum donors in the early going: Delores Kesler, a local Jacksonville legend who’s on the JEA Board, and Marty Fiorentino‘s Fiorentino Group, which will be handling the fundraising going forward for the Shirk campaign, including weekly meetings between […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

Charles Cofer, running to unseat fellow Republican Matt Shirk as 4th Circuit Public Defender, raised nearly $21,000 in January. Cofer’s cash on hand is just under $27,000 He spent $5,758 in January, and has spent $8,765 against $28,285 raised and a $7,000 personal loan. Most of his money has come from the Jacksonville legal community, with […]

Melissa RossJanuary 7, 2016

Humbled, contrite, and saying he’s found Jesus, 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk is forging ahead with a campaign for a third term, despite a grand jury urging him to quit after scandal plagued his tenure in office. “I have a good record to stand on and intend to make that known to the public,” […]

Tag: Matt Shirk

4th Circuit Public Defender candidate Charles Cofer scores with Jax establishment

Conflict between Matt Shirk, Angela Corey continues to build

Matt Shirk, Angela Corey in war of words regarding Duval Veterans Court

A.G. Gancarski: So far, so good on 2016 predictions

Jax Public Defender accuses State Attorney’s Office of violating confidentiality in Shelby Farah trial

4th Circuit public defender 4 hopeful Charles Cofer nears $60K raised

Matt Shirk urges Angela Corey to change position on death penalty for James Rhodes

Matt Shirk “pleased” with $9,100 haul in first 2 weeks of fundraising

Charles Cofer raises $20K in January

Matt Shirk seeks 3rd term: “I’ve owned up to my mistakes … moving forward”