Politics
Jacksonville Bold for 7.23.25: The good book
Bipartisan cooperation rarely makes headlines, even when it’s about future generations being able to read them.
So, in that context, a top-of-Bold shoutout is for Mayor Donna Deegan and former Mayor John Peyton for bridging the gap between Democrats and Republicans with that most powerful of media: the written word.
“When John launched his book club nearly two decades ago, he planted a powerful seed,” said Deegan last week, describing the effort to bring Peyton’s book club back as the Mayor’s Book Club as a “bridge between administrations and a bipartisan investment in something that transcends politics: our children’s future.”
That bridge is getting $1 million from Peyton’s family’s Gate Foundation, which, last we checked, still goes a long way.
Peyton, who was Mayor between 2003 and 2011, was best known to younger generations then for his book club. And Deegan, like predecessor Lenny Curry, is a confirmed bibliophile, so there may be a way to heal the acrimony with a book club … potentially.
Map survives
The Florida Supreme Court has upheld a controversial congressional map drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved by the Legislature.
A majority of Justices ultimately ruled that the Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute and other plaintiffs failed to prove racial discrimination or a need to preserve a North Florida district (the former 5th Congressional District), which stretched from near Tallahassee to Downtown Jacksonville, one previously represented by a Black Democrat, Al Lawson.
In a majority opinion, the group stated that the map will stand, thereby resolving any questions about whether congressional district lines will change in the 2026 Midterms or for the remainder of the decade.
A majority opinion written by Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz accepted DeSantis’ past arguments that the Equal Protection Clause in the U.S. Constitution overrides a demand in Florida’s Fair Districts language that the power of minority voters cannot be diminished in the redistricting process.
“The Legislature’s obligation to comply with the Equal Protection Clause is superior to its obligation to comply with the Non-Diminishment Clause as interpreted by our Court,” he wrote. “The plaintiffs did not prove the possibility of complying with both the Non-Diminishment Clause and the Equal Protection Clause in North Florida. Therefore, they did not meet their burden to prove the invalidity of the Enacted Plan.”
Fine fundraising
One of Florida’s newest members of Congress is well-positioned financially for his upcoming campaign.
U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, who won the Special Election in Florida’s 6th Congressional District on April 1, closed the second quarter of 2025 with more than $380,000 in cash on hand.
The Republican firebrand known as the “Hebrew Hammer” raised $63,684 between April 22 and June 30. Notable donors include state Sen. Don Gaetz, the United States Sugar Corporation Employee PAC, the Elevance Health PAC and the Molina Healthcare PAC.
He spent more than he raised during the period, with outflows exceeding $88,000.
Just as he did when he ran in the Special Election, Fine looks likely to face opposition in both the Primary and the General Election for the seat that includes Daytona and extends northward toward St. Augustine and west toward Ocala and Gainesville.
He’s well-positioned for both the August and November contests in 2026, with prospective opponents struggling.
Counting receipts through the end of June, Aaron Baker has a little more than $1,000 on hand. The Sorrento Republican made news early in the last Primary season when he claimed Donald Trump didn’t control who he endorsed.
Joshua Vasquez and Alexandra Van Cleef, Republicans from Ocala and Palm Coast, respectively, have yet to report fundraising despite filing with the state of Florida as active candidates.
Fine won his last Primary, which included Baker, with 83% of the vote.
Cop controversy
A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stop from February is in the news for alleged violence against a 22-year-old suspect, and a state Senator is among those outraged in the wake of published reports.
“Once again, we are faced with a sickening reminder of the systemic issues that plague our law enforcement. The video coming out of Jacksonville is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable. To witness an officer assault an unarmed Black man during what should have been a routine traffic stop is a stark demonstration of the continued racial bias and excessive force that far too many Black individuals experience in our communities. Never mind the fact that the driver was baselessly stopped for not using headlights during broad daylight,” said Sen. Shevrin Jones of Miami Gardens.
The driver, William McNeil, was allegedly pulled over during the day for not having headlights on. As he noted in the video, it was not raining.
Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville is also paying attention to this issue.
“I’ve reached out to the Sheriff’s Office. I’ll be sending a formal letter and request to meet about that, the deaths in the jail, and other cases related to potential JSO misconduct,” she posted this weekend to social media.
McNeil will have strong legal representation, as civil rights lawyers Harry Daniels and Ben Crump have taken his case.
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Infant, maternal health champions
Baptist Health is recognizing Sen. Tracie Davis and Rep. Wyman Duggan for championing crucial funding to enhance maternal and infant care in Northeast Florida. The lawmakers were instrumental in securing state funds to expand labor and delivery capacity, increase access to specialized care for high-risk pregnancies, and improve obstetric emergency services in a region with higher-than-average mortality rates.
The new 2025-26 state budget allocates $4.5 million to Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville for the construction of 12 new labor and delivery rooms.
“We recognize and thank Sen. Tracie Davis and Rep. Wyman Duggan for their support and commitment to maternal health,” said Michael Mayo, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “This funding will allow us to better serve our community, ensuring safer births, healthier outcomes and greater access to quality care.”
This significant investment is designed to meet the growing demand for essential obstetric services and directly address the community’s critical needs.
“This funding will help ensure that all mothers and babies in Northeast Florida can get the specialized care that they need,” stated Nicole Thomas, president of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. “We are grateful for this investment in community and generations to come.”
Hold the line
The millage rate might go down in Jacksonville after all.
On Tuesday night, the City Council voted 17-1 to maintain the current 11.3169 mills rate, meaning that property tax rates stay the same (though appraisal changes can affect the ultimate number homeowners see).
While if enough is cut from Deegan’s proposed budget in August, there could be a change to the scheme; for now, it remains the status quo.
Jacksonville joblessness
Florida’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.7% in June, and it’s the third month in a row without any change in that key economic indicator.
FloridaCommerce, the state’s business development bureau, says there were 415,000 Floridians out of work last month in a labor force of 11.19 million. While the monthly jobless figure has been holding steady, June’s rate is still higher than a year ago. The latest figure is up by 0.4 percentage points from June 2024’s figure of 3.4%.
Jacksonville recorded one of the highest unemployment rates among larger Florida markets at 4.2% in June. That’s an increase of 0.6 percentage points from May’s figure of 3.6% and up over June 2024’s rate of 3.7%.
While the rate of people out of work in the Sunshine State has remained static for a quarter of a year, it’s still lower than the national figure of 4.1%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Florida has now maintained a lower unemployment rate than the national mark for 56 straight months.
While the jobless figures have held steady, the rate has not declined for any month this year, and the first quarter showed increases from the 3.4% registered in December.
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, in a press release, highlighted that Florida was ranked third in CNBC’s 2025 rankings of the best states for business.
“Florida’s strong economy continues to lead the nation,” Kelly said. “Building on this momentum — from targeted infrastructure investments to reducing regulatory burdens and supporting workforce innovation — Florida remains focused on long-term growth that benefits families, entrepreneurs and businesses across the state.”
Page possibility
If you know a young person who would benefit from some time with the Jacksonville City Council, then you’re in luck.
The legislative body is currently seeking pages for meetings. Specifically, middle and high school students aged 11 and up who will serve during regular meetings and “observe government in action, assist with official duties, and gain firsthand experience of the legislative process at the local level.”
“Bringing back the Page Program reflects our commitment to cultivating the next generation of civic leaders. By adding an online application, we’re making it easier than ever for students and families to get involved,” says President Kevin Carrico.
Apply here: Jacksonville.gov – City Council Page Program.
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Career move
Jeanne Augspurger is headed to OGC.
But it’s not the Office of General Counsel.
Instead, the former Jacksonville Civic Council president will be a partner in the national law firm OGC (Outside GC), even as she maintains her independent consulting firm, Strategic Relationships & Counsel (SRC).
“Joining OGC is a natural fit that allows me to continue offering business-oriented, practical legal guidance in a flexible and entrepreneurial environment,” said Augspurger. “I’m honored to be part of such a talented team of former in-house counsel and law firm partners who understand what it takes to align legal advice with business priorities.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeanne to OGC,” said Managing Partner Greg Williamson. “Her diverse background, spanning law, government, higher education and civic leadership, adds tremendous depth to our team. Her ability to work at the intersection of legal, economic, and civic interests sets her apart. Jeanne exemplifies the strategic thinking and client-focused approach that OGC is known for.”
Berkshire bump?
Word on Wall Street is that railroad consolidation may make CSX a takeover target.
Per Barron’s (among others), Berkshire Hathaway may be looking at the line amid pushes for transcontinental railroads.
“The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Union Pacific, one of the two big railroads that operates mainly west of the Mississippi River, is in early talks for a possible deal for Norfolk Southern, one of the two big Eastern railroads … Berkshire might see a bid for CSX as a defensive maneuver if its chief rival, Union Pacific, seeks to create a transcontinental railroad.”
Time will tell if merger mania leads to CSX shares jumping in an acquisition, but this is something to watch for interested parties.
Jags camp questions
The Jaguars opened training camp on Wednesday, the first under new head coach Liam Coen. After missing the playoffs for the past two seasons under Doug Pederson, the team is headed in a new direction and faces a host of new (and some old) questions as camp opens.
The most-asked question will be about the usage of first-round pick Travis Hunter. Hunter was a two-way star in college, where he won the Heisman Trophy at Colorado. As a wide receiver, Hunter could begin the season as the team’s #2 option behind Brian Thomas Jr., who starred as a rookie last season. On defense, Hunter could potentially line up as a starting cornerback. Will the Jaguars be able to maximize Hunter’s impact without wearing him out as the season progresses?
A familiar question exists about the quarterback. Is this the season when Trevor Lawrence fulfills his potential? When Lawrence guided the Jaguars to the postseason and a playoff victory in 2022, it appeared that he was ready to emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Instead, 2023 and 2024 saw inconsistencies and injuries derail Lawrence’s ascension. Lawrence has spoken about the importance of this season in his career. Now in his fifth season in the NFL, Lawrence became a father in January. His franchise-record contract means he isn’t going anywhere else anytime soon, but it is time for him to improve his career-high numbers from 2022 when he tossed 25 touchdown passes and threw for 4,113 yards.
One of the keys to Lawrence’s progress comes with question marks on the offensive line. The unit was not good enough last season, prompting the new general manager James Gladstone to bring in three veteran linemen: guard Patrick Mekari, tackle Chuma Edoga and center Robert Hainsey. All could compete for starting jobs. Hainsey seems the clear frontrunner at center while Mekari figures to be the favorite at right guard. Whatever the combination of five players becomes, they must gain Lawrence’s trust and protect the quarterback better than last year’s unit.
On defense, some big questions exist as camp opens. Most notably, will the pass rush be better? Last season, Travon Walker led the team with 10.5 sacks while Josh Hines-Allen added eight. No other player had more than three. Second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith is a possibility to take a step forward. Still, he was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and his availability remains in question. Arik Armstead is set for a move back inside after a confusing season of use last year.
Finally, how will Coen handle his first season as a head coach? He is a respected football mind, but he has never been a head coach at any level. There figures to be an adjustment. And with first-time offensive and defensive coordinators on staff, Coen won’t be the only man growing into the job. Will it impact the Jaguars’ performance?
Answers begin to emerge this week.
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Florida could soon rewrite how it responds to domestic violence.
Lake Worth Democratic Rep. Debra Tendrich has filed HB 277, a sweeping proposal aimed at modernizing the state’s domestic violence laws with major reforms to prevention, first responder training, court safeguards, diversion programs and victim safety.
It’s a deeply personal issue to Tendrich, who moved to Florida in 2012 to escape what she has described as a “domestic violence situation,” with only her daughter and a suitcase.
“As a survivor myself, HB 277 is more than legislation; it is my way of turning pain into policy,” she said in a statement, adding that months of roundtables with survivors and first responders “shaped this bill from start to finish.”
Tendrich said that, if passed, HB 277 or its upper-chamber analogue (SB 682) by Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud would become Florida’s most comprehensive domestic violence initiative, covering prevention, early intervention, criminal accountability and survivor support.
It would require mandatory strangulation and domestic violence training for emergency medical technicians and paramedics, modernize the legal definition of domestic violence, expand the courts’ authority to order GPS monitoring and strengthen body camera requirements during investigations.
The bill also creates a treatment-based diversion pathway for first-time offenders who plead guilty and complete a batterers intervention program, mental-health services and weekly court-monitored progress reporting. Upon successful completion, charges could be dismissed, a measure Tendrich says will reduce recidivism while maintaining accountability.
On the victim-safety side, HB 277 would flag addresses for 12 months after a domestic-violence 911 call to give responders real-time risk awareness. It would also expand access to text-to-911, require pamphlets detailing the medical dangers of strangulation, authorize well-check visits tied to lethality assessments, enhance penalties for repeat offenders and include pets and service animals in injunctions to prevent coercive control and harm.
Calatayud called it “a tremendous honor and privilege” to work with Tendrich on advancing policy changes “that both law enforcement and survivors of domestic abuse or relationship violence believe are meaningful to protect families across our communities.”
“I’m deeply committed to championing these essential reforms,” she added, saying they would make “a life-or-death difference for women and children in Florida.”
Organizations supporting HB 277 say the bill reflects long-needed, practical reform. Palm Beach County firefighters union IAFF Local 2928 said expanded responder training and improved dispatch information “is exactly the kind of frontline-focused reform that saves lives.”
The Florida Police Benevolent Association called HB 277 a “comprehensive set of measures designed to enhance protections” and pledged to help advance it through the Legislature.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund praised provisions protecting pets in domestic violence cases, noting research showing that 89% of women with pets in abusive relationships have had partners threaten or harm their animals — a major barrier that keeps victims from fleeing.
Florida continues to see high levels of domestic violence. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that 38% of Florida women and 29% of Florida men experience intimate-partner violence in their lifetimes — among the highest rates in the country.
With costs rising statewide, HB 277 also increases relocation assistance through the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund, which advocates say is essential because the current $1,500 cap no longer covers basic expenses for victims fleeing dangerous situations.
Tendrich said survivors who contributed to the bill, which Placida Republican Rep. Danny Nix is co-sponsoring, “finally feel seen.”
“This bill will save lives,” she said. “I am proud that this bill has bipartisan support, and I am even more proud of the survivors whose bravery drives every line of this legislation.”
Even Ash Marwah knows the odds do him no favors.
A Senate district that leans heavily Republican plus a Special Election just weeks before Christmas — Marwah acknowledges it adds up to a likely Tuesday victory for Ralph Massullo.
The Senate District 11 Special Election is Tuesday to fill the void created when Blaise Ingoglia became Chief Financial Officer.
It pits Republican Massullo, a dermatologist and Republican former four-term House member from Lecanto, against Democrat Marwah, a civil engineer from The Villages.
Early voter turnout was light, as would be expected in a low-key standalone Special Election: At 10% or under for Hernando and Pasco counties, 19% in Sumter and 15% in Citrus.
Massullo has eyed this Senate seat since 2022 when he originally planned to leave the House after six years for the SD 11 run. His campaign ended prematurely when Gov. Ron DeSantis backed Ingoglia, leaving Massullo with a final two years in office before term limits ended his House career.
When the SD 11 seat opened up with Ingoglia’s CFO appointment, Massullo jumped in and a host of big-name endorsements followed, including from DeSantis, Ingoglia, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, U.S. Sens. Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, four GOP Congressmen, county Sheriffs in the district, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is endorsing Marwah.
Marwah ran for HD 52 in 2024, garnering just 24% of the vote against Republican John Temple.
Massullo has raised $249,950 to Marwah’s $12,125. Massullo’s $108,000 in spending includes consulting, events and mail pieces. One of those mail pieces reminded voters there’s an election.
The two opponents had few opportunities for head-to-head debate. The League of Women Voters of Citrus County conducted a SD 11 forum on Zoom in late October, when the two candidates clashed over the state’s direction.
Marwah said DeSantis and Republicans are “playing games” in their attempts to redraw congressional district boundaries.
“No need to go through this expense,” he said. “It will really ruin decades of progress in civil rights. We should honor the rule of law that we agreed on that it’ll be done every 10 years. I’m not sure why the game is being played at this point.”
Massullo said congressional districts should reflect population shifts.
“The people of our state deserve to be adequately represented based on population,” he said. “I personally do not believe we should use race as a means to justify particular areas. I’m one that believes we should be blind to race, blind to creed, blind to sex, in everything that we do, particularly looking at population.”
Senate District 11 covers all of Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties, plus a portion of northern Pasco County. It is safely Republican — Ingoglia won 69% of the vote there in November, and Donald Trump carried the district by the same margin in 2024.
Miles Davis is taking his Florida-focused organizing playbook to the national stage.
Davis, Policy Director at PRISM Florida and Director of Advocacy and Communications at SAVE, has been selected to present a workshop at the 2026 Creating Change Conference, the largest annual LGBTQ advocacy and movement-building convention.
It’s a major nod to his rising role in Florida’s LGBTQ policy landscape.
The National LGBTQ Task Force, which organizes the conference, announced that Davis will present his session, “School Board Organizing 101.” His proposal rose to the top of more than 550 submissions competing for roughly 140 slots, a press note said, making this year’s conference one of the most competitive program cycles in the event’s history.
His workshop will be scheduled during the Jan. 21-24 gathering in Washington, D.C.
Davis said his selection caps a strong year for PRISM Florida, where he helped shepherd the organization’s first-ever bill (HB 331) into the Legislature. The measure, sponsored by Tampa Democratic Rep. Dianne Hart, would restore local oversight over reproductive health and HIV/AIDS instruction, undoing changes enacted under a 2023 expansion to Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” law, dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” by critics.
Davis’ workshop draws directly from that work and aims to train LGBTQ youth, families and advocates in how local boards operate, how public comment can shape decisions and how communities can mobilize around issues like book access, inclusive classrooms and student safety.
“School boards are where the real battles over student safety, book access, and inclusive classrooms are happening,” Davis said. “I’m honored to bring this training to Creating Change and help our community build the skills to show up, speak out, and win — especially as PRISM advances legislation like HB 331 that returns power to our local communities.”
Davis’ profile has grown in recent years, during which he jumped from working on the campaigns and legislative teams of lawmakers like Hart and Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones to working in key roles for organizations like America Votes, PRISM and SAVE.
The National LGBTQ Task Force, founded in 1973, is one of the nation’s oldest LGBTQ advocacy organizations. It focuses on advancing civil rights through federal policy work, grassroots engagement and leadership development.
Its Creating Change Conference draws thousands for four days of training and strategy-building yearly, a press note said.
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