Featured image for “OPINION | The ‘resign to run’ trap”
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, center, and Jax Chamber of Commerce CEO Daniel Davis, left, rub shoulders in 2018. | WJCT News
November 20, 2022

OPINION | The ‘resign to run’ trap

I’ve written about politics in this town for many years and expressed my share of frustrations, including with candidates running…

Featured image for “OPINION | DeSantis’ and Trump’s freedom isn’t free”
Gov. Ron DeSantis holds his son Mason as he celebrates winning reelection. | AP
November 16, 2022

OPINION | DeSantis’ and Trump’s freedom isn’t free

Freedom.  That’s the word that’s been slung like dice since campaigning began for the 2022 midterm elections. Entire narratives were…

Featured image for “EXPLORE: Duval GOP leads early voting ahead of Election Day”
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections building. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
November 7, 2022

EXPLORE: Duval GOP leads early voting ahead of Election Day

About 30% of registered Duval County voters have already cast a ballot – that’s more than 136,000 people who voted…

Featured image for “‘Poll chaplains’ prep for Jacksonville Election Day”
“Poll chaplain” Doris Rodgers volunteered for a three-hour shift during early voting, after completing an online training with Faiths United to Save Democracy. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
November 6, 2022

‘Poll chaplains’ prep for Jacksonville Election Day

Southside Jacksonville evangelist Doris Rodgers spent her Friday morning posted outside the Northside’s Highlands Regional Library, one of Jacksonville’s early…

Featured image for “OPINION | Mayor’s race should be about Jax, not parties”
Photo: Brendan Rivers
October 31, 2022

OPINION | Mayor’s race should be about Jax, not parties

While the political world is hyper-focused on the midterm elections, the day after next Tuesday’s voting opens another chapter in…

Featured image for “OPINION | Molly against the machine”
Duval County sheriff candidates T.K. Waters, right, and Lakesha Burton, left, participated last month in a debate hosted by Jacksonville Today. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 23, 2022

OPINION | Molly against the machine

Dozens of endorsements are flying, and most of them are of the “Well, it would be news if they didn’t…

Featured image for “Agriculture commissioner race: Simpson vs. Blemur”
Agriculture commissioner candidates Democrat Naomi Blemur (left) and Republican Wilton Simpson (right)
October 14, 2022

Agriculture commissioner race: Simpson vs. Blemur

One of Florida’s most-powerful lawmakers and a North Miami Democrat touting a “grassroots” campaign are competing in the Nov. 8…

Featured image for “Chief financial officer race: Patronis, Hattersley square off”
Chief financial officer candidates Democrat Adam Hattersley (left) and Republican Jimmy Patronis (right)
October 14, 2022

Chief financial officer race: Patronis, Hattersley square off

Florida voters next month will choose a state chief financial officer who will have a big role in trying to…

Featured image for “Attorney general race: Ayala challenges Moody in ‘longshot’ bid”
Attorney general candidates Democrat Aramis Ayala (left) and Republican Ashley Moody (right)
October 14, 2022

Attorney general race: Ayala challenges Moody in ‘longshot’ bid

Former Orlando-area State Attorney Aramis Ayala is making a “longshot” bid to unseat Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody, saying a…

Featured image for “NOV. 8 VOTER GUIDE: Amendments 1,2,3”
Bob Fennessey clears out his Fort Myers Beach condo after storm surge filled the first story during Hurricane Ian. Amendment 1, part of efforts to address rising sea levels, is aimed at helping property owners who elevate their homes. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
October 14, 2022

NOV. 8 VOTER GUIDE: Amendments 1,2,3

Florida voters are being asked to decide whether to approve two property-tax measures and the fate of the state’s Constitution…

Featured image for “OPINION | Will Crist’s empty bus hurt in North Florida?”
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist speaks on Sept. 12, 2022, in Miami.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
October 9, 2022

OPINION | Will Crist’s empty bus hurt in North Florida?

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist brought his “Together Florida Tour” to Northeast Florida last week. Sort of. The Crist campaign…

Featured image for “OPINION | Battle for the best of us”
Artwork from the Deborah Roberts exhibit I'm, now on display at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens through Dec. 4th. | Cummer Museum
September 21, 2022

OPINION | Battle for the best of us

Over the weekend, I visited the Cummer Museum for the opening of the Deborah Roberts exhibition I’m. On a large…

Featured image for “OPINION | Jax’s next sheriff should build bridge with City Hall”
Photo: Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
September 14, 2022

OPINION | Jax’s next sheriff should build bridge with City Hall

It’s September in Jacksonville, which brings some potential relief from brutal summer heat, a heightened focus on tropical weather activity,…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The 7 historic districts of Jacksonville”
September 13, 2022

THE JAXSON | The 7 historic districts of Jacksonville

Founded in 1822, Jacksonville is home to 107 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Of…

Featured image for “OPINION | What we learned from the August elections”
April Carney, right, was among three local candidates who won primaries in Jacksonville after landing Gov. Ron DeSantis' endorsement. | Raymon Troncoso, WJCT News
August 28, 2022

OPINION | What we learned from the August elections

The 2022 primaries taught us a lot about how surprises are possible in local politics, even if some things stay…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why wasn’t the school tax referendum during the general election when more people vote?”
The Duval County School Board voted Tuesday, March 1, 2022, to put a property tax increase referendum on the August primary ballot. Charlotte Joyce was the sole no vote.
August 26, 2022

#AskJAXTDY | Why wasn’t the school tax referendum during the general election when more people vote?

With the August primary in the books, and most races going to runoff elections November 8, the Jacksonville Today team…

Featured image for “OPINION | Advocating for humanity is not indoctrination”
Image: Screen shot from rondesantis.com
August 24, 2022

OPINION | Advocating for humanity is not indoctrination

As humans, we have an average of 6,000 thoughts per day. We are also flooded with as much as 34…

Featured image for “Rutherford, Cammack, Bean roll in Republican primaries; Holloway leads by tiny margin in D4 Dem contest”
Former state Sen. Aaron Bean celebrates winning the Republican primary for Congressional District 4. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 23, 2022

Rutherford, Cammack, Bean roll in Republican primaries; Holloway leads by tiny margin in D4 Dem contest

John Rutherford will return to Congress for a fourth term in the House of Representatives. The Jacksonville congressman defeated challengers…

Featured image for “Jax councilmen defeated in bids for Legislature, as House and Senate races all but decided in several local districts”
Several local House district races were essentially settled in Tuesday's primary or before.
August 23, 2022

Jax councilmen defeated in bids for Legislature, as House and Senate races all but decided in several local districts

Two Jacksonville City Council members fell short in their bids to springboard to seats in the state Legislature in Tuesday’s…

Featured image for “Waters, Burton advance to sheriff runoff; Clark-Murray clinches council seat; Gaffney Jr. favored in November race”
Lakesha Burton and T.K. Waters will face off for Jacksonville Sheriff on November 8.
August 23, 2022

Waters, Burton advance to sheriff runoff; Clark-Murray clinches council seat; Gaffney Jr. favored in November race

Tuesday’s municipal special elections narrowed the field in races for sheriff city council and decided another council seat.…

Featured image for “Duval voters approve higher tax for schools; DeSantis-endorsed School Board candidates win”
The Duval Citizens for Better Schools PAC, which is funding ads in favor of a school property tax referendum, raised more than $200,000 since May.
August 23, 2022

Duval voters approve higher tax for schools; DeSantis-endorsed School Board candidates win

The Duval school district is getting another financial boost from voters. With 53% of the vote, Duval voters on Tuesday…

Featured image for “OPINION | DeSantis’ influence key in local GOP elections”
Image: DeSantis campaign via Twitter
August 17, 2022

OPINION | DeSantis’ influence key in local GOP elections

As the 2022 primary draws to a close, several storylines have emerged at the local, state and federal levels: Former…

Featured image for “OPINION | Expect status quo for JSO after ‘22 election”
All five Jacksonville sheriff's candidates attended a July 20th forum. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
August 14, 2022

OPINION | Expect status quo for JSO after ‘22 election

Is reform coming to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office during the post-Mike Williams era? Based on what we’ve seen thus far…

Featured image for “AUG. 23 VOTER GUIDE: Duval School Board District 2”
Incumbent Elizabeth Andersen (left) and challenger April Carney (right) take part in a town hall forum hosted by Beaches Watch on Aug. 3. | Raymon Troncoso
August 4, 2022

AUG. 23 VOTER GUIDE: Duval School Board District 2

Two candidates are running in Duval County School Board District 2, a non-partisan race. The August race, which would normally…