Politics
Jacksonville Bold for 8.5.26: Bar rescue
Democratic congressional candidate L.J. Holloway hasn’t passed the Bar. But she says it doesn’t matter.
Holloway, a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law who is running again in Florida’s 4th Congressional District, responded to a caller claiming that she represented herself as a lawyer in Federal Elections Commission (FEC) filings.
“I have a law degree, and I say consistently that I earned my law degree from the University of Florida, and Congress makes laws and Congress is federal. So, a state bar does not apply for a federal office; a state bar is for the state in which someone practices, but Congress is federal, and the District of Columbia is federal. And my FEC filing does not say at all ‘lawyer.’ FEC filings are for your financials. It is not for your occupation,” Holloway said Tuesday on WJCT’s “First Coast Connect.”
She described herself as “an arbitrator and a mediator” who has “served on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners under the unlicensed practice of law in Florida.”
“However, I am not licensed in Florida. I don’t hold myself out as a lawyer in Florida,” she added. “I never say that I’m a lawyer. I always say I earned my law degree from the University of Florida, and that is a distinction.”
In a follow-up to Florida Politics, Holloway revealed she did not pass the Bar. The first paragraph of the statement is germane, but she asked to have the full statement, complete with political boilerplate language, printed in full.
“No, I did not take the D.C. Bar because my role in Congresswoman Carrie Meek’s office did not require it. I took the Florida Bar examination but did not pass. I have always been transparent about my background. I am a graduate of the University of Florida College of Law, where I earned my Juris Doctorate. I have never represented myself as a licensed attorney or claimed membership in the Florida Bar, nor have I written on an FEC report that I am a lawyer,” she said.
She said that despite not having passed the Bar, she’s used her legal education.
“Throughout my career, I have held federal positions where my legal education and public policy experience were valuable, including at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in the District of Columbia government, at LexisNexis, and as a Florida Supreme Court certified civil mediator and arbitrator. These roles, like serving in Congress, did not require bar admission.”
From there, she continued.
“The Constitution does not require members of Congress to be licensed attorneys. Voters deserve representatives with integrity, sound judgment and a record of public service. I am proud of my education, experience, and lifelong commitment to advocating for working families.”
“This campaign is focused on lowering costs, protecting Medicare and Social Security, strengthening our economy, and delivering results for the people of Florida’s Fourth Congressional District. That remains my priority,” she concluded.
Holloway is running against Democratic Socialist Brit Robinson and Michael Kirwan, a Harvard Law graduate who once chaired the Jacksonville Ethics Commission and was a partner at Foley and Lardner before retiring.
Crump bump
Though Holloway never passed the Bar, she’s backed by a famous one who did.
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump is again backing Holloway, renewing an earlier endorsement and calling her a “FIGHTER with the experience” needed to serve in Congress.
Polling of the race is sparse, but what exists shows her well-positioned ahead of the Aug. 18 Primary, where she faces former Jacksonville Ethics Commission Chair Michael Kirwan and Democratic Socialist Brit Robinson.
A recent Tyson Group poll shows Holloway ahead of Kirwan by 30 points, with Robinson even further back — a lead bolstered by superior name recognition in the District.
Even her rivals’ numbers have her on top. An internal poll conducted in June for Robinson’s campaign put Holloway in first place at 25%, 12 points ahead of Kirwan and 14 points ahead of Robinson.
Holloway’s strength in that survey appears rooted in residual name recognition and the District’s demographics. She performs best among Black voters, with 40% backing her and 52% undecided. Black voters make up 63% of the District’s Democratic electorate.
Lawyer loan
Lawyer Steve Pajcic is deepening his investment in Democrat Moné Holder’s bid for an at-large Jacksonville City Council seat, giving the Jacksonville Together political committee another $100,000.
That brings his total donations to the committee to $300,000 this cycle, of which $275,000 has already been spent — largely on television ads boosting the Florida Rising chief advocacy and political officer.
Between the supportive committee and nearly $42,000 in campaign account fundraising, Holder leads the three-woman field in the At-Large Group 1 Special Election, which can be won outright on the Aug. 18 Primary ballot if one candidate takes more than half the vote. The seat is held by Republican Terrance Freeman, who is stepping down to run for the Florida House.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Commander Deborah Wesley is running as a Republican with nearly $94,000 in hard money and more than $27,000 in the supportive Building a Stronger Jacksonville political committee.
But GOP donors aren’t matching Pajcic’s investment, leaving Wesley less than $100,000 to spend. Unless someone ponies up quickly, she won’t have the television exposure Holder does.
Libertarian Addison Patrick has raised a little more than $5,600 and has spent most of it. Her presence on the ballot could make it harder for either major-party candidate to reach a majority this month. If no one does, the top two finishers advance to the Nov. 3 General Election, and the winner will have to defend the seat in the 2027 city elections.
Republicans hold a 14-5 advantage on the City Council.
Not a crime
St. Johns County Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst and St. Augustine Beach Commissioner and former Mayor Dylan Rumrell are all pleading not guilty to charges that they worked to distribute a fake voter guide in 2024.
All three of them have prominent lawyers who could conceivably help bring the case to resolution.
Arnold enlisted Hank Coxe, a Jacksonville attorney who, over the years, managed litigation for everyone from the Jacksonville Jaguars to members of the Donna Deegan mayoral administration.
Whitehurst enlisted Darcy Galnor, also of Jacksonville. She has her own firm now but has done public defense and prosecution and has worked for the connected Kopelousos, Bradley & Garrison firm of Clay County in the past.
Matt Kachergus is representing Rumrell. He is another well-known Jacksonville lawyer who has litigated cases at every level.
Galnor’s husband, Matt Galnor, owns Bachman Galnor Communications, which handled the statement for the three officials when they were charged, saying they wanted to get the matter behind them.
“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.
The three officials each face two misdemeanor counts stemming from the mailing of roughly 10,000 voter guides: creating an unauthorized voter guide, in alleged violation of Florida Statutes 106.1436, and conspiracy, under 777.04.
The voter guide count alleges the defendants represented their mailer as an official publication of the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee (REC) without the written permission state law requires, and without the disclaimer disclosing who paid for it. That charge is a misdemeanor of the first degree. The conspiracy count is a misdemeanor of the second degree.
Resources reconsidered
Mystery still surrounds the reasons for JEA CEO Vickie Cavey’s leave of absence amid a series of political controversies.
But for a consortium of environmental groups, Cavey’s extended time off this Summer offers an opportunity for the public to have more input into the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process.
The last IRP, completed in 2023 before Cavey assumed her current role, established a commitment to 35% clean energy, phasing out inefficient generating assets, exclusively using clean energy in JEA facilities, and working to “increase and enhance energy efficiency programs.”
But external groups argue the flux atop the utility creates an opportunity for a renewed discourse.
“This moment also presents an opportunity to build a stronger, more accountable JEA — one that’s rooted in trust, transparency, and real partnership with the community it serves,” said Suzanne Sapp, senior campaign organizer with The Sierra Club.
“Jacksonville deserves a municipal utility that listens to its residents, includes them in the decisions that shape our energy future, and earns the public’s trust. We’re ready to work alongside JEA and our neighbors to help build that future together.”
Critics say the natural gas plant to be built by GE Vernova at the former St. Johns River Power Park site, approved at a $1.57 billion price tag, is shaping up to be a boondoggle.
“In 2023, JEA claimed a new methane gas plant was the most affordable option for Jacksonville’s energy needs. Just two years later, projected costs have increased 139%, and an independent analysis found the project could cost customers an additional $2.5 billion over its lifetime, plus roughly $1 billion in health impacts from pollution,” said Susan Glickman, vice president of Policy and Partnerships at The CLEO Institute.
“Jacksonville can’t afford more shortsighted decisions, and the community deserves a transparent process to determine the best path forward.”
This push for public accountability is supported by the Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign, the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club, The CLEO Institute, Jacksonville Branch of the NAACP, the Duval Affordable Clean Energy Coalition, Sunshine Power Faith Coalition, True SCLC Florida Jax Leadership Coalition, local volunteer leaders, and ratepayers.
DeSantis judges
Gov. Ron DeSantis loaded up on new judges for judicial circuits and courtrooms in North Florida.
DeSantis named Melissa Merritt of Fleming Island to serve as a judge on the Clay County Court. She’s been an associate attorney for the Nichols & Pina law firm since 2024. She was also a general magistrate for the 4th Judicial Circuit Court, which serves much of the First Coast.
A former prosecutor has been tapped to serve as a Circuit Court judge farther inland. DeSantis named Lorelie Brannon of Macclenny the newest judge for the 8th Judicial Circuit Court, which serves interior areas of North Florida in Alachua County and surrounding areas.
Brannon is currently a Baker County Court judge, but she was an assistant state attorney for the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which serves areas surrounding Lake City.
Meanwhile, Lua Joy Lepianka of Gainesville is another prosecutor who is heading for the bench. DeSantis named Lepianka as the latest judge for the Alachua County Court.
Lepianka is a longtime assistant state attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit. She’s been overseeing cases for that office since 2003.
New WJCT CEO
Jacksonville’s public media headquarters is getting new leadership, sort of.
Karen Feagins has been named president and CEO of WJCT, the home of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR) broadcasting outlets for the First Coast well into South Florida. Feagins is filling the position that was vacated by David McGowen, who retired in April.
Geri Cirillo filled that slot on an interim basis until Feagins was given the nod. Cirillo will return to her post as senior vice president and chief operating officer when Feagins assumes the top job Aug. 31.
For Feagins, getting the job is a return to the public broadcasting outlets after parting ways in 2018. She was with WJCT beginning in 2003, where she rose from reporter to chief operating officer. She left to become Client and Community Relations Director for PNC Bank in the North Florida market.
She maintained connections to WJCT while at PNC, serving on the broadcast outlet’s Board of Trustees. Bill Hendrich, Chair of the WJCT Public Media Board of Trustees and Chair of WJCT’s Executive Search Committee, said Feagins is the right fit for the top slot.
“Karen represents exactly what we were looking for as the next leader for WJCT Public Media. She is a talented executive who has a passion for public media and serving the community in which she lives,” Hendrich said.
Feagins said she looks forward to returning to what she considers a professional home.
“Public media provides a vital service to this community, and my goal is to build on WJCT’s incredible momentum, so more people can experience the value of public media in their daily lives,” Feagins said.
New Tax Collector digs
The Duval County Tax Collector’s Office is getting a new full-service branch in Jacksonville’s Southside area.
Tax Collector Jim Overton announced the new branch is located at 11160 Beach Blvd., Suite 121, in the St. Johns Square Shopping Center. It will officially open to residents Aug. 12 and will offer services rendered at the Kernan Boulevard and Hogan Road branch locations.
The Kernan location shut down July 24, and the Hogan branch is set to close Sept. 2.
“Our new St. Johns Square Branch represents our continued investment in providing exceptional service to the residents of Duval County,” Overton said. “This modern facility gives our customers more space, improved accessibility, and the same outstanding service they have come to expect from our team.”
The Tax Collector’s Office provides services such as driver’s licenses, identification cards, vehicle registrations and title services, property tax payments, business tax services, animal licenses, hunting and fishing licenses and parking citation payments.
The St. Johns Square Branch will have operational hours Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Jaguars focusing on toughness in camp
The Jaguars put the pads on for the first time in camp on Monday, giving the coaching staff the best litmus test of where the team stands a week into training camp.
The team spent the offseason bringing in running back Chris Rodriguez, known as a physical back, to replace a speedier running back, Travis Etienne, who signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. Last season, when Liam Coen and staff arrived, they worked to improve the team’s speed. Now, they are also looking to become a more physical team.
They used a pair of draft picks on tight ends. Both Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol will be expected to provide some power at the position.
Before the pads went on, offensive coordinator Grant Udinski also noted returning tight end Quinton Moses, who backed up pass-catching tight end Brenton Strange last season.
“You probably start with the toughness and physicality,” Udinski said. “I think that pops out on tape. His willingness to handle the protection system mentally, and you combine that with his ability to block linebackers. He would try to block a defensive end one-on-one all day if you let him. And that’s the type of guy he is. So, we love having him out there.”
On defense, it’s more than just the defensive line. Linebacker Ventrell Miller is expected to move into the starting lineup with the departure of Devin Lloyd, who signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent. Miller’s calling card has been physical play and paired with Foye Oluokun could make the Jaguars linebacking corps one to watch.
In the secondary, Jourdan Lewis returns to the field after foot surgery late last season. He should provide some pop in the secondary.
“He brings a mentality and toughness,” Coen said. “He had a rep the other day in the run game where a tight end was trying to block him. He went block, shed, made the play, and he just brings a mentality and toughness to our defense.”
Looking at the rest of the division, the Indianapolis Colts try to play physically, especially when running back Jonathan Taylor is healthy. The Jaguars’ schedule includes games in the AFC North, which is traditionally a very physical division.
If the Jaguars can combine a physical approach with the passing game that matured as the season played on, they could be a potent offense. Trevor Lawrence has weapons at his disposal. Wide receivers Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. are expected to be the top receivers, and then there is the Travis Hunter question.
Hunter missed half the season last year after an injury but has put on muscle since his rookie season. He continues to make plays that catch his teammates’ eyes.
“Even his drops look good,” Meyers said. “He’s dynamic. He’s just fun to watch, and I feel like the game is going to be in good hands if we keep getting players like that coming into the league and we take care of them — not put too much pressure on them and just help grow them the right way. I think the NFL will be in good hands.”
Hunter is expected to play more on defense this season compared to last season’s plan. But if he can impact the team on offense a few times per game, the Jaguars could be one of the top offenses in the NFL this season.
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