Jacksonville Democrat Michael Kirwan continues to make his case that he’s the front-runner in a crowded Primary to face U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean in November.

And endorsements are pouring in for the Jacksonville native, a longtime securities lawyer who has served as Chair of the Jacksonville Ethics Commission and President of Scenic Jacksonville.

State Sen. Tracie Davis, former Senate Democratic Leader and current Florida House candidate Audrey Gibson, former state Sen. Tony Hill, Democratic City Councilman Jimmy Peluso, current Duval School Board members Warren Jones and Darryl Willie, and former City Councilmen Howard Dale and Jim Love are all on board.

“Michael has my full endorsement because he’s a leader with a track record of solving problems, not just talking about them,” Davis said. “His financial expertise and deep community roots prove he’s ready to tackle rising costs and bring real accountability to Washington. He’s the only candidate who has the skills, the integrity, and the commitment to give every family a fair shot.”

Some endorsers, like Love and former Duval School Board member Lori Hershey, crossed party lines to back Kirwan.

“I’m a Republican, but I’m supporting Michael Kirwan because I know him. I’ve worked with him, I understand his values, and I trust his ethics,” Love said. “This isn’t about party labels for me. It’s about character and competence. Michael is someone who does what he says he’s going to do; and that’s the kind of person we need representing our district in Congress.”

Jones, a former City Council President before he got elected to School Board, said the “community needs someone in Washington who we can trust to really fight for us and deliver.”

“Michael Kirwan can win this race; and I believe in his commitment to this district and to the people who live here. He listens, he shows up, and he understands what our families are dealing with. I trust him to be a strong voice for our community and to get real results,” he added.

Two former Mayors and City Commissioners for Fernandina Beach, Robin Lentz and Kim Page, are also on board. Former Republican Mayor of Green Cove Springs Sandra Dunnavant and former Democratic Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn also support Kirwan.

The GOP backing is meaningful, given the registration advantage Republicans have. The district, which includes Nassau County, Clay County and some of Duval County, is 41% Republican and 34% Democrat.

Could you imagine running a business in 2026 while charging 2008 prices?

While that might be a dream for consumers, the reality is that the business would quickly fail, as labor and operating costs have risen dramatically since 2008.

For example, the state minimum wage was $6.79 per hour in 2008; on September 30, 2025, it increased to $14.00 and will rise to $15.00 on September 30, 2026. These labor cost increases have rippled across Florida’s economy as employers have grappled with higher pay for all employees.

While businesses can pass these costs on to consumers through higher prices, Florida’s Clerks of Court cannot.

Court fines and fees have been fixed in statute since 2008. As a result, a court filing costs the same today as it did then, even though the labor required to manage a case has nearly tripled. As President of our statewide association, Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers, I see firsthand how Clerks struggle to meet the demands of increasingly complex offices with a shrinking proportional budget.

One way Clerks have addressed this gap is by leveraging technology to improve efficiency. Over the years, Clerks have implemented enhanced in-person and jury management services through digital check-in systems, launched online self-help centers to help users navigate the courts, and expanded online access to records and application processes. Clerks also developed the nationally recognized E-Filing Portal, which has become a model for court systems across the United States.

In addition, Clerk offices provide access to data that supports critical electronic notification systems, including E-Notify for upcoming court events, domestic violence injunction text updates for court rulings, and property fraud alert notifications. These enhancements have modernized operations and delivered cutting-edge support to Floridians from Key West to Pensacola.

While these improvements have helped Clerks do more with less, the work still requires teams of dedicated, highly trained public service professionals. Make no mistake, this work is mission-critical 100% of the time. Clerks help administer justice, resolve disputes, finalize adoptions, and ensure vulnerable individuals receive protective orders.

Most Clerks also serve as county comptrollers and official recorders, ensuring county bills are paid, road projects are funded, annual audits are completed, and marriage licenses, deeds, and other important documents are properly recorded and secured. It is a significant responsibility, and we are humbled and honored to serve our residents and stakeholders.

In reviewing this year’s operational needs, the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation (CCOC) identified a $75 million funding gap between the cost of operating Clerks’ offices and the revenue available to support them. This Legislative Session, Clerks across the state are asking lawmakers for support to address this shortfall by:

— Adjusting outdated fees and service charges to reflect today’s dollars through application of the Consumer Price Index;

— Allowing Clerks to retain more of the revenues they already collect; and

— Approving other sustainable revenue enhancements.

We are grateful for the continued support of the Legislature and the Governor’s Office as we work to fulfill our mission. This year, that partnership is reflected in our legislative priorities, beginning with Senate Bill 532, Court Fees, filed by Sen. Corey Simon and House Bill 759 by Rep. David Smith, and further supported by Senate Bill 1322 filed by Sen. Jonathan Martin and House Bill 925 by Rep. Dana Trabulsy. Together, these measures would go a long way toward addressing the funding shortfall and enabling Clerks to better serve their constituents.

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Doug Chorvat Jr., CGCIO, CPM, serves as President of the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers, and is Hernando Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller.

A new poll shows U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds remains in a dominant position in the Republican Primary for Governor.

The latest Mason-Dixon poll of registered Republicans found 37% would vote for Donalds, a Naples Republican, if the election were held today. By comparison, 7% favor Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, 4% back former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and 3% support Azoria CEO James Fishback.

Pollsters conducted the phone survey of 400 registered Republican voters Jan. 8-13. Collins launched his long-anticipated campaign near the end of that polling period.

Donalds’ lead falls well outside the poll’s 5% margin of error, and he remains the only candidate polling in double-digits. He’s also the candidate who has been in the field the longest, launching his campaign in March shortly after President Donald Trump endorsed a run.

Renner kicked off his campaign in September while Fishback launched a run in November.

Pollsters also surveyed favorability ratings for all of the candidates.

It found a majority of Republicans, 52%, hold a favorable opinion of Donalds, and just 3% have an unfavorable view of him. About 17% know of Donalds but remained neutral about the Congressman while 28% did not recognize his name.

The rest of the field remains largely unknown to voters. About 73% did not recognize Collins, 74% had no knowledge of Renner and 81% were clueless about Fishback.

But 11% held a positive view of Collins, compared to just 1% who view him unfavorably, with 15% recognizing him but remaining neutral.

By comparison, 9% had a favorable opinion of Renner, while just 1% saw him unfavorably and 16% felt neutral.

Only 5% felt favorably about Fishback, while 4% had an unfavorable opinion and 10% felt neutral but knew the name.

The Primary for Governor, scheduled for Aug. 18, will be open to only registered Republicans.