Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossMarch 29, 2016

Placing the blame on everything from “media misinformation” to the tortured legacy of the Jim Crow era, a high-powered panel of Jacksonville officials held forth on racial tensions in the city at a conference sponsored by the Jacksonville Bar Association and Florida Coastal Law School. Unsurprisingly, the most frank comments came from Edward Waters College […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 23, 2016

Do law enforcement, the legal system, and local government have the public’s trust? Some of Jacksonville’s leading politicians will discuss that question Tuesday at a “Diversity & Inclusion Event” sponsored by the Jacksonville Bar Association & Florida Coastal Law School. Among the panelists: Chief Judge Mark Mahon, Mayor Lenny Curry, State Attorney Angela Corey, Public […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 26, 2016

On a crisp Friday morning, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry thrilled some onlookers and alarmed others when he took command of a excavator to begin the deconstruction of a blighted, 12-unit apartment complex on Payne Street. This creative destruction was for a good cause: a prelude to the development of Payne Avenue Walk, a 12-unit affordable single family home […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 12, 2016

On Friday, Sheriff Mike Williams and his predecessor, John Rutherford, endorsed State Attorney Angela Corey for re-election. For both men, it was an easy decision, and a validation of the long-range vision underpinning law enforcement and the administration of justice in Jacksonville. Rutherford used familiar language, referring to the “three-legged stool” of prevention, intervention, and enforcement, and saying […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 12, 2016

Fourth Circuit State Attorney Angela Corey will be endorsed Friday afternoon by Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams, FloridaPolitics.com has learned. Corey, in a primary battle for re-election with Wes White, has a significant money advantage, and Williams’ endorsement is symbolic of a general establishment desire to see Corey get four more years. The official endorsement will be at 2:30 […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 11, 2016

Solving the Unfunded Liability may be Lenny Curry’s spend of political capital. But if all goes right, and that is a big if, the Jax Journey renewal will be his legacy. And the city’s. In a media availability before Thursday’s Community Conversation on the Youth Violence prevention aspect of the Jax Journey, Lenny Curry spoke […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 10, 2016

The last round of Lenny Curry’s Community Conversations, on Human Rights Ordinance expansion, were contentious and ultimately led to little in the way of policy outcome. Thursday’s Community Conversation, revolving around the issue of youth violence as it relates to the Jacksonville Journey, will undoubtedly bring forth more consensus. “The first of this series, “Our […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 30, 2016

“That baby is a symbol,” said Bishop John Guns. It has been a violent January in Jacksonville. Thirteen slayings in January so far. The latest: a 22-month-old boy. Reaction to that killing (a drive-by shooting near the Sports Complex) brought most of Jacksonville’s City Council, the Mayor, the Sheriff, and Guns and many other ministers together […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2016

In a hallway conversation Monday, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams talked about the pension surtax bill now in Tallahassee. Williams’ comments are especially noteworthy, given that his officers will be affected by whatever happens. Regarding the major sticking point, the defined contribution requirement for new employees that some in the Senate would want to see as a […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 30, 2015

In Jacksonville politics in 2015, the game changed … perhaps for good. Big money went into campaigns: over $10 million, including soft money, in the mayoral race. Close to $2 million in the sheriff’s race. And even some City Council candidates who raised close to a quarter of a million dollars did so in vain. […]

Tag: Mike Williams
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Jax officials discuss easing racial tensions, building community trust

Lenny Curry, Mike Williams, Angela Corey to participate in diversity panel

Lenny Curry, demolition man

2 Jax sheriffs endorse Angela Corey for re-election

Jax Sheriff Mike Williams to endorse Angela Corey for re-election

The Jax Journey: Lenny Curry’s legacy, and ours

Panel announced for Lenny Curry youth violence Community Conversation”

Toddler’s slaying unites Jacksonville officials against wave of violent deaths

Jax Sheriff Mike Williams talks pension tax bill

A.G. Gancarski’s Top 10 stories of 2015 in Jacksonville politics