Politics
Jacksonville Bold for 7.8.26: Run it back
Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed legislation that would have allowed high school students to volunteer as poll workers in exchange for community service hours for their graduation requirements or Bright Futures scholarships.
But we hear it is coming back in 2027, when someone else will be the state’s chief executive.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Kiyan Michael in the House and Sen. Clay Yarborough in the Senate, would have loosened the rules governing privately funded election-related expenses, which kept students from volunteering at the polls in time for the upcoming August Primary.
The bill was backed by the League of Women Voters and the Southern Poverty Law Center, unusual allies for a conservative proposal.
DeSantis cited the SPLC’s backing as a reason he didn’t support the legislation filed by Republicans he counts as friends and allies on many other issues.
During Committee discussions, Yarborough said this bill, if passed, “will be one of the greatest firsthand civics lessons, which they can experience as they go along, of one of our greatest rights and what it takes to conduct elections.”
Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland spoke on behalf of the bill numerous times.
He said his grandson was looking for community service opportunities and said volunteering would help students understand the process and get “exposed” to the role and “maybe come back and be part of our team in the future.”
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13 heats up
In House District 13’s closed Democratic Primary, attorney Leslie Jean-Bart is self-funding, while former Senate caucus leader Audrey Gibson earned backing from a current Duval Delegation member last month.
Gibson, who has raised more than $18,000 for her campaign to date, received a $1,000 contribution from Rep. Kimberly Daniels of HD 14 in June.
That’s not surprising. Jean-Bart ran against Daniels in 2016, and that race was chippy. The vibes are still bad there.
Jean-Bart was a strong fundraiser a decade ago, but it hasn’t quite come together yet for her this cycle, so she is putting her money into the effort.
Of the nearly $10,000 she’s brought in, $4,000 has been self-funded.
Daniels dominates
Speaking of self-funding, Daniels is again committing resources to her return to the House, as she faces a rare open Primary against Rhian Tutson.
The ordained minister has lent her campaign $38,000, which supplements more than $25,000 in external donations.
Local police and fire unions are among those backing the conservative Democrat.
Tutson, who is a first-time candidate, doesn’t seem to be connecting with potential contributors.
She’s raised less than $2,000 from external sources and had roughly $130 on hand as of June 26.
Locals only
A political committee formed by Doug Atkins is running an ad in the Jacksonville market supportive of LG Jay Collins’ campaign for Governor, reports POLITICO Florida Playbook.
It’s a testimonial spot featuring a retired Special Forces Captain who discusses the Tampa Republican’s recovery after losing his leg from a unique perspective.
“Watching Jay fight through it, I saw not just toughness, but character. He never quit in that hospital bed,” Captain Ben Harrow said. “He’ll never stop fighting for Florida’s families. Jay Collins should be the next Governor. I’d follow him anywhere.”
The budget is less than $10,000, so not everyone in this market may be able to see it.
Meanwhile, an ad from Collins’ own Quiet Professionals FL political committee remains on heavy rotation in the market.
PD plaudit
4th Circuit Public Defender Charlie Cofer is the latest recipient of the Steven M. Goldstein Criminal Justice Award via the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
“He began as a public defender, served the public from the bench, and then chose to return to public defense when his community needed steady and experienced leadership,” said FACDL President Aaron Wayt. “At every stage, Charlie has shown that the criminal justice system is strongest when it is guided by respect for the rights of every person who comes before the court.”
Cofer, a former judge, was first elected in 2016, defeating scandal-scarred Matt Shirk in a Republican Primary.
He hasn’t faced opposition since.
Political football
When running for re-election, it’s good to have some blocking in place.
And no one knows blocking like those on the gridiron.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s “Duval for All” committee got a big boost from the local NFL team, as owner Shad Khan continues his tradition of supporting incumbents who help the Jaguars out.
The team gave the committee $150,000 on June 23, which is one of the three biggest donations the account has recorded to date.
Khan and the Jaguars supported the re-election bids of former Mayors Alvin Brown and Lenny Curry and even hosted a fundraiser for Brown’s unsuccessful 2018 congressional campaign.
This time around, he should be especially grateful to Deegan, whose administration worked hard to secure a stadium renovation deal with a roughly 50/50 cash split. Key to that was creative financing: a half-cent sales tax already in place through 2060 to complete Jacksonville Journey obligations and pay off legacy pension debt is funding the government’s share.
As of June 26, the closing date for the latest reports with the state Division of Elections, the political committee has raised nearly $2.2 million and has roughly $200,000 on hand.
Deegan has yet to file her first campaign finance report. That is due this week.
But the nine opponents who have already filed are not raising much money, with $30,000 brought in among them. And most of that money has been spent.
Ronald Armstrong, a socially conservative Republican, has raised more than $26,000 but had only $6,000 on hand at last count.
Independent candidate Brandon Enamorado has raised less than $4,000 and has spent all but $80.
Qualifying is in January, and the first election, which pits all qualified candidates against each other, is two months later. If no candidate has majority support, the top two finishers square off on the May ballot.
Prez stacks
Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland continues to amass resources just in case he draws an opponent for re-election.
The at-large Republican from the Southside has more than $400,000 between his campaign account and the supportive Florida Freedom PAC. That includes $5,000 from the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters last month.
The PAC has taken in roughly $340,000, with the balance being hard money.
“This level of support reflects a growing coalition of people who believe Jacksonville deserves steady, results-oriented leadership. I’m incredibly grateful, but we’re not taking anything for granted between now and Election Day 2027,” Howland said.
Reggie rakes
Former City Council member Reggie Gaffney Sr. is attempting to return to the dais where he sat for almost two full terms, and donors are on board with his District 10 candidacy.
As of June 30, Gaffney had raised more than $52,000, giving him more than double the combined cash on hand of the other seven candidates in the field.
Names you would know on the Democrat’s first fundraising report this cycle include bestbet, the Orange Park Kennel Club, the First Coast Orthopedic Association, the First Coast Surgical Association, Gate Petroleum, Waste Management, Jacksonville Museum Space LLC, JWB Property Management, and JWB Real Estate Capital.
Fake news
Counterfeit endorsements that raised the hackles of St. Johns County Republicans in August 2024 have led to criminal charges in 2026.
Two of those named in the indictment serve on the County Commission, and a third principal serves on a local Commission in the county.
Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst are being charged with conspiracy to create an unauthorized voter guide, allegedly in violation of Florida Statutes 106.1436 and 777.04.
The voter guide charge amounts to a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not less than $25 for each voter guide distributed up to $2,500 in each month.
The conspiracy charge is a second-degree misdemeanor if the parties are found guilty as charged.
Additionally, they are charged with representing the voter guide they created as representing the will of the St. Johns Republican Executive Committee.
If found guilty, they will be considered principals in the first degree.
Others charged include political consultant Briana Jordan, Jamie Lynn Johnson, and St. Augustine Beach Commissioner Dylan Rumrell,
Jordan is also singled out on a count of tampering with evidence, an alleged violation of Statute 918.13, which would be a third-degree felony if she is found guilty.
Spokespeople for the legal team representing the elected officials commented Monday evening.
“These allegations have lingered for nearly two years in the hands of various government agencies. With formal charges now filed, County Commissioner Arnold, County Commissioner Whitehurst and St. Augustine Beach City Commissioner Rumrell look forward to the conclusion of this matter and will have no further comments at this time,” Bachman Galnor Communications said.
Rumrell ran unopposed in 2024 and would not have to run again until 2028. Whitehurst defeated a candidate endorsed by the party and, for now, is in office until 2028. Arnold, an appointee of DeSantis in 2021, was not on the ballot, and she is not running for re-election this year.
Politicians facing criminal charges are often suspended from office pending the outcome of the investigation at the Governor’s discretion. We have reached out to the Governor’s press team for comment.
Housing boost to Nassau
Affordable Housing First Corporation has secured $500,000 in state funding to develop one-, two- and three-bedroom workforce housing in Nassau County, thanks to the support of Yarborough, Rep. Dean Black and advocacy from The Florida Group.
The project will help meet the county’s growing demand for workforce housing by creating affordable homes for residents who now commute long distances for work. Beyond expanding housing options, the investment is expected to strengthen the local workforce and support continued economic growth across Northeast Florida.
Baymeadows project advances
A dangerous stretch of Baymeadows Road in Jacksonville is set for long-awaited safety improvements after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget.
The budget includes $972,000 to build a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon and pedestrian refuge island near Goodby’s Executive Drive. The project is expected to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists at one of the corridor’s busiest crossings. The effort was championed by Mayor Donna Deegan, Council member Joe Carlucci, Rep. Wyman Duggan and Yarborough, with lobbying support from The Florida Group.
Girl Scouts leadership funding
The Girl Scouts of Gateway Council will receive $500,000 in state funding for a new 14,000-square-foot Leadership Center Development Project that will expand youth programming across North Florida.
The Florida Group helped secure the appropriation, which will fund STEM labs, hands-on learning spaces and flexible community areas for leadership training, mentoring and special events. Sen. Jennifer Bradley sponsored the project in the Senate alongside Rep. Jason Shoaf.
YMCA expands water safety
The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast secured $350,000 in the state budget to expand youth swim instruction at the Lake Brooklyn Water Safety Complex.
The project includes a multipurpose pavilion and accessible trail connections, improving public access while strengthening water safety education for hundreds of children each year. More than 30,000 nearby residents are expected to benefit. Funding was secured by Bradley and Rep. Judson Sapp, with advocacy from The Florida Group.
School workforce investment
The North Florida School of Special Education will receive $500,000 to expand its Community Integrated Employment Program, which prepares students and graduates for meaningful careers through workforce training, job placement and life skills development.
The funding will help broaden opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences as they transition into the workforce and greater independence. The appropriation was sponsored by Sen. Tracie Davis and Duggan, with advocacy from The Florida Group.
Atlantic Beach water projects
Atlantic Beach secured more than $1 million in state funding for three major water infrastructure projects included in the new state budget.
The package includes $212,500 for the Dora Drive Stormwater Mitigation Pond, $200,000 for the Marshside Septic Tank Elimination Project and $650,000 to dredge Sherman Creek. Together, the projects will improve flood protection, expand sewer access and restore drainage capacity. Michael, Yarborough and The Florida Group helped deliver the funding.
I-95 notes
A major upgrade will be made to an interchange along Interstate 95 near downtown Jacksonville.
The Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) announced this month that the Interstate interchange at Emmerson Street will undergo major widening and reconstruction. The project will run from Atlantic Boulevard south to Emmerson.
The project will add a “diamond interchange,” which involves overpasses, on-ramps and off-ramps that end in the shape of a diamond surrounding the Interstate, DOT officials said.
The state-funded project will cost $247 million to design and build. The contract was awarded to Superior Construction and WGI Inc.
Road lanes will be added to both northbound and southbound I-95, for a total of five travel lanes in each direction. There’ll also be the installation of new pods and drainage improvements in the area, as well as sound walls to block road noise from entering nearby residential neighborhoods.
Emerson Street itself will be resurfaced from U.S. 1 to Spring Park Road. The project is expected to be completed in the Summer of 2028.
Fourth filth finished
The big 250th Fourth of July celebrations produced plenty of filth on the First Coast shoreline, and fortunately, plenty of volunteers helped clean it up.
The morning after the fireworks and holiday festivities concluded from Jacksonville Beach north through Mayport Saturday night, hundreds of people returned to the seaside to voluntarily pick up trash along the Atlantic Ocean. The Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol, Surfrider Foundation and Keep Florida Beautiful, among other organizations, managed to encourage trash patrols to scour the coastline Sunday morning.
Tens of thousands of people gathered the night before to witness the public fireworks displays launched into the Independence Day sky from the Jacksonville Beach Pier. The volunteers descended on the coastline early Sunday before much of the trash could wash back into the sea.
First Coast News reported that an estimated 3,000 pounds of trash were picked up from the shoreline along the Beaches of Jacksonville’s coast.
The cleanup effort aligns with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advisories ahead of the holiday weekend. The FWC urged Floridians to be aware of the trash they might leave behind, as trash and holes in the sand could harm not only sea turtles and nests but also shorebirds.
CSX celebrates America 250
Website sprawl
A massive housing and commercial development is being proposed for the least populous county on Florida’s east coast, and the city of Palm Coast is looking to inform residents ahead of the debate over the project.
Palm Coast officials are launching a series of public meetings to gather input from residents on the planned development west of U.S. 1 in the North Florida municipality, which will span more than 20,000 acres. A dedicated website with details on the project has also been established. The first public forum is set for next week.
The Master Planned Development proposal on the website gives details on the complex, including land uses, transportation corridors, and development standards for both residential and commercial uses. The land development company Radient is proposing the project, which will be among the largest in Flagler County’s history.
The First Coast county between St. Augustine and Daytona has a population of about 140,000, fewer than any other county on Florida’s Atlantic coast.
Palm Coast officials say they want as much public awareness and input on the massive development as possible.
“Community participation is an important part of the development review process,” said Palm Coast Community Development Director John Zobler. “We encourage residents to review the available information, attend the public meetings, and share their comments as the proposal moves through the city’s public review process.”
The first public meeting is set for July 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Jon Netts Community Wing at Palm Coast City Hall. Subsequent community input meetings are slated for Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. and Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. at the City Hall wing.
Jaguars stadium work continues
The Jaguars open training camp later this month with the first of 11 open practices scheduled for July 29 at the Miller Electric Center. As camp nears, construction of EverBank Stadium next door continues.
General contractor Barton Malow recently posted a video of the ongoing construction of the structures that will support the stadium roof.
“Structural steel is rising around every corner of EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. With 750+ workers on site daily, the AECOM-Hunt-Barton Malow joint venture team is making significant progress on the largest NFL renovation in history,” the company posted to its social media.
“Steel is rising across the site as the team advances toward a key milestone — getting the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium game-day ready for the 2026 NFL season. Two 650-ton cranes are driving that progress, executing the precision heavy lifts that are bringing the structure to life, phase by phase.”
The 16-second drone video shows structures on the east and west sides of the stadium extending above the upper decks. As the previous photos show, the seats on the upper decks and in other areas have been removed. The Jaguars will play to a reduced capacity of 42,507 in 2026, more than 27,000 fewer seats than before the renovation began.
The Jaguars will then play the 2027 season in Orlando and London before returning to the Stadium of the Future in 2028 with an expected capacity of 63,000.
AECOM-Hunt is also a partner in the renovation. The Jaguars posted a video on the club’s social media featuring Sid K. Perkins, AECOM-Hunt’s senior vice president of field operations, highlighting sourcing materials for the stadium.
“There was a desire on the part of both the Jaguars and the city to stress American-made materials in the building,” Perkins said. “The steel that you see up — structural steel — is all American-made. We’ll be looking hard at the finishes, trying to utilize all American-made tiles and items inside to create our finishes.
“The Jaguars and the city provided an opportunity for us to put a lot of local tradesmen to work. You look across our job site; I would wager that 70% of the workers or better on this job site are from the surrounding three or four counties.”
Perkins oversaw the stadium remodel in 2014 and said that many of the same workers from that crew are back for the Stadium of the Future renovation.
“I think the fans will be pleasantly surprised when they show up and see the circulation area,” Perkins said. “Our main concourses are much larger than what they’ve been over the past 30 years. Many of those have prominent views that look over the surrounding St. Johns River and downtown development areas and other city facilities.”
Amid the renovations, the Jaguars will play preseason games at home on Aug. 21 and Aug. 28 before the regular season opener on Sept. 13.
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