Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 23, 2016

Katie Schoettler and Jenny Busby go way back. Specifically, to the same kindergarten class. Schoettler emerged into adulthood as a Republican, working for people like Aaron Bean and John Thrasher; Busby, as a Democrat who worked for the Florida Democratic Party. Despite that difference in party label, their paths have paralleled. Both women work as assistants to members of the […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 10, 2016

In the race to replace termed-out Lake Ray in Florida’s House District 12, it looks increasingly more like Clay Yarborough will emerge from the scrum for the GOP nomination in the heavily Republican Jacksonville district. Yarborough has been consistent: through seven months of fundraising, he has brought in $74,445. In May, the former Jacksonville City Council president […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 9, 2016

Alas, there were no slot machines in the Lynwood Roberts Room for demonstration purposes. None of the earmarks of a casino. No young women selling packs of cigarettes. And very little in the way of entertainment in a committee workshop that had about as much drama as an algebra equation. Rather, there were just the familiar […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 18, 2016

Is Jacksonville ready for slot machines? bestbet, the Jacksonville-based gambling concern, believes so. Tia Mitchell reported in the Florida Times-Union Wednesday that “Legislation has been filed with the Jacksonville City Council to put a referendum on the November ballot on whether to authorize slot machines at bestbet’s facility in Arlington.” The bill, filed Wednesday by Councilman Aaron […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 11, 2016

The Republican Party of Florida has a big-ticket fundraiser planned in Jacksonville May 25, and the special guests are Mayor Lenny Curry and RPOF chairman. Blaise Ingoglia. The event, held at the River Club, features a packed host committee. State Sens. Aaron Bean, Rob Bradley, and Travis Hutson comprise part of the committee, as do State Reps. Janet Adkins, Travis Cummings, Jay Fant, Lake Ray, […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 10, 2016

Yes for Jacksonville, a committee formed to sell the pension tax referendum to Jacksonville voters, raised $225,000 in April, its first month in existence. Among the deep-pocketed donors: Wayne Weaver, the former Jaguars owner, who gave $50,000. Also donating $50,000: Thomas Petway III and Thomas Petway IV, and U.S. Assure, their insurance company. Like Weaver, the Petways were […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 9, 2016

In the pivotal month of April, HD 11 Republicans Donnie Horner and Barry Holloway failed to close the money gap between them and Sheri Treadwell. Horner, who lost the money lead to Treadwell in March, was not able to regain it in April. $9,150 of new money brought Horner’s total raised to $113,300 after April. Interesting donors in […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 7, 2016

A new survey shows Duval residents’ support for the pension tax referendum and for expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance. The University of North Florida poll showed 36 percent support among 380 Duval County residents interviewed for the pension tax proposal, with 24 percent against it and 40 percent with no opinion. Though support for the […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 6, 2016

Yes for Jacksonville, a campaign committee devoted to educating Duval County residents on the necessity of extending the current half-cent sales tax to address the city’s crippling unfunded pension liability, unveiled its bipartisan leadership committee Friday afternoon. Mayor Lenny Curry will chair Yes for Jacksonville. Former Sheriff Nat Glover and City Hall legend Susie Wiles will serve as […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 11, 2016

The enigmatic HD 12 campaign of Republican Richard Clark, a JTA Governmental Affairs Officer, resumed fundraising in March after five months of dormancy. A $9,500 March brought Clark up to $60,000 even, leaving him just over $50,000 on hand. Clark, a former Jacksonville City Councilman, raised money from luminaries, including Susie Wiles, the co-chair of the Florida […]

Tag: Susie Wiles

‘Future Leaders of Jax Coalition’ pushes pension tax to young voters

Clay Yarborough maintains money lead in HD 12 GOP race

Jax Council committees workshop slots legislation

bestbet bet on 10 of 19 Jacksonville City Council members last election

Lenny Curry, Blaise Ingoglia to be special guests at May 25 RPOF fundraiser in Jax

‘Yes for Jacksonville’ committee raises $225,000 in April

HD 11 Republicans Donnie Horner, Barry Holloway underwhelm in April fundraising

New poll: Duval residents support Lenny Curry’s pension tax, HRO expansion

‘Yes for Jacksonville’ unveils bipartisan leadership team

Richard Clark and Clay Yarborough lead the HD 12 money race through March