Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJuly 30, 2016

Supervisor of elections offices have been inundated with voters switching from Democrat, Independent and NPA (no party affiliation) to Republican. Is there a conservative wave taking over Northeast Florida? Not quite. Two of the most important races in Northeast Florida include the race for State Attorney and Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which […]

Melissa RossJune 14, 2016

Sign-waving protest rallies are planned tonight at several downtown Jacksonville locations as hearings continue into the lawsuit over the city’s August 30th closed primary. Both State Attorney Angela Corey and Public Defender Matt Shirk will face only GOP voters on that date due to the presence on the ballot of controversial write-in candidates. More than […]

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. 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 […]

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: Public Defender

Leslie Jean-Bart: Conservative wave in NE Florida? Not quite.

Protests planned in downtown Jacksonville over closed primary election

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

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

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