Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 30, 2016

Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties will see a new state attorney and a new public defender in January, as two polarizing incumbents were swept out of office, with resounding defeats in contentious primaries. In the most expensive GOP primary race for state attorney ever in this region, challenger Melissa Nelson — with a war chest of […]

Staff ReportsAugust 30, 2016

Win or lose, at least there will be a party. Election night parties will be raging across the state Tuesday night. For some candidates, it’s a chance to celebrate and thank supporters; maybe even have a little bit of fun before the final sprint to November. It will be a somber event for others, marking […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2016

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All three candidates for 4th cCrcuit State Attorney — Melissa Nelson, incumbent Angela Corey, and Wes White spent big in the last pre-primary reporting period. Nelson was the biggest spender between Aug. 13 and Aug. 25 — $99,356 went out the door in that period, balanced against $24,405 raised. All told in the campaign, Nelson brought in $432,762 […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2016

What’s in a poll? When it’s a University of North Florida/Florida Times-Union poll that shows incumbent state attorney Angela Corey slated to lose by 32 points, quite a bit. In what could be framed as one of the most stunning primary upsets of an incumbent in Florida political history, Corey has just 20 percent of the […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 22, 2016

There were a number of complaints about Friday’s WOKV “Hob Nob” in Jacksonville. Among them, the $500 price for a table was prohibitive for some candidates, which undoubtedly skewed results. Lake Ray‘s win of the Congressional District 4 straw poll may have had something to do with John Rutherford not making a play. However, there were some races where the […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 22, 2016

2012 — the previous presidential year — saw Duval County with a 20.7 percent turnout among both parties. With a week left in early voting, the GOP turnout looks likely to exceed that number; as of the end of Sunday, 10.46 percent of all Republican registrants had voted. The real point of interest is what is driving […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 17, 2016

The sentiments behind Depeche Mode‘s hit “Just Can’t Get Enough” clearly applied to the press and the candidates after Tuesday night’s 4th Circuit State Attorney debate, as incumbent Angela Corey and challengers Melissa Nelson and Wes White took some reporters’ questions after the event. Corey, as is her wont, was delivering loving tributes toward the free press, both locally and nationally. “It’s the media […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 16, 2016

On Tuesday night, Wes White and Melissa Nelson debated incumbent Angela Corey in the most high-profile encounter they would have ahead of the GOP primary in the 4th Circuit State Attorney race. For White, this was his last real chance at earned media. For Nelson, this was her chance to show she was more than a slick ad campaign. And for […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 16, 2016

Though tonight’s 4th Circuit State Attorney GOP primary debate between State Attorney Angela Corey and challengers Melissa Nelson and Wes White will be web-only, it’s worth the bandwidth. This could be the last stand for those looking to stop Nelson from unseating the embattled incumbent state attorney, who despite being aggressively backed by incumbent politicians and public safety […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 15, 2016

With the Aug. 30 primary approaching in northeast Florida’s 4th Circuit race for state attorney, the financial reports still tell the same story: Melissa Nelson has more resources at her disposal than incumbent Angela Corey and challenger Wes White combined. In hard money, Nelson has raised nearly $400,000, with another $642,800 in her “First Coast Values” political committee. […]

Tag: Melissa Nelson
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Melissa Nelson, Charles Cofer win primaries; the Angela Corey/Matt Shirk era ends

It’s not the party … it’s the after party! A rundown of where Florida candidates will be on Election Night

Seven-figure spend bolsters Melissa Nelson in 4th Circuit State Attorney race

UNF/TU poll: This is Angela Corey’s last campaign

Melissa Nelson, Angela Corey talk campaign, family at WOKV Hob Nob

Duval GOP turnout exceeds 10 percent with week left in early voting

Highlights from the press gaggle after the 4th circuit State Attorney debate

4th Circuit State Attorney candidates tangle at WJXT forum

TV debate could be last stand for Angela Corey, Wes White

Melissa Nelson still leading money chase in 4th Circuit State Attorney race