Byron Donalds says cost of living comes back down once Strait of Hormuz opens up

HEADLINES Donalds says to blame the Iranians if your dollar isn't going far enough.


The post Byron Donalds says cost of living comes back down once Strait of Hormuz opens up appeared first on Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.. For More Florida Politics - CLICK HERE:


http://dlvr.it/TSt1ck

Byron Donalds says ‘wide breadth’ of donors shows he’s resonating in Governor’s race

HEADLINES Momentum continues for the Florida State alum and known political quantity.


The post Byron Donalds says ‘wide breadth’ of donors shows he’s resonating in Governor’s race appeared first on Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.. For More Florida Politics - CLICK HERE:


http://dlvr.it/TSt1RV

Jacksonville Bold for 6.3.26: Join the crowd

Jacksonville politics heat up with elections, endorsements, housing and growth. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises Democrats in Northeast Florida are opening campaign accounts for state House races ahead of qualifying week, which runs from June 8 through June 12. Some of the new candidacies will create crowded Primaries for seats Democrats are almost certain to win. Others are bids for less-likely pickups currently held by Republicans and will likely lead to close elections in August and to large resource gaps between Democratic insurgents and entrenched GOP incumbents in November. New Democratic filings are reshaping Northeast Florida House races ahead of qualifying week. In HD 11, House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison initially had a speed-bump Primary opponent in the underfunded Antoinette Harmon, but Democrat Marci Marie White is now also running. He has more than $3.3 million cash on hand between his campaign account and the "Honest Leadership" political committee. In HD 13, four Democrats are now running to replace departing Angie Nixon, including former Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson and former state House hopeful Leslie Scott Jean-Bart. Political newcomers Brandon Groover and Christopher Thomas are also in the mix. This could end up being an open Primary unless a random NPA candidate materializes to close it to Democrats, as so often happens in these races without consequence because mainstream media doesn't bother paying attention to them. HD 14 incumbent Kimberly Daniels will face a Primary challenge again. This time around, it's Elgin Foreman, Jr. He volunteers with the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville. In HD 15, Rep. Dean Black has no Republican competition for renomination. However, Democratic competition has emerged here, too, with Christopher Lloyd "Van" Cima running. Former state House candidate Lloyd Caulker is also in the mix, as is Chadd Charland. Both are running as NPAs. In HD 16, Republican incumbent Kiyan Michael’s Democratic challenger is Eli Johnson. Two Democrats, Heather Smith and Art Stresing, are challenging Rep. Kim Kendall in HD 18. Democrats Suzanne Pavelle and Lee Butler are challenging Reps. Sam Greco and Judson Sapp in HD 19 and 20.

Tweet, tweet

Fired up   Firefighters from two of the three counties in Florida's 4th Congressional District support incumbent U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean in his campaign for a third term in Congress. “I’m thrilled to be endorsed by our local Clay and Nassau County firefighters,” said Bean. “Our first responders are integral to keeping our communities safe, strong and resilient, as they’re the ones that answer the call when Floridians need help the most. If reelected to serve Northeast Florida in Congress, I will continue to support our front-line heroes in our nation’s capital, fighting for them and the support and resources they need to be able to show up in Floridians’ time of need.” U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean lands firefighter endorsements in Clay and Nassau counties. Image via Jacksonville Today. Jasen Hernandez, president of Clay County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 3362, credits Bean with always being willing to "listen to the concerns of front-line firefighters regarding staffing, overtime, cancer prevention, mental health, and public safety funding." Wes Gill, president of Nassau County Fire Rescue Professionals Local 3101, said Bean "has supported fire and EMS professionals, backed public safety and first responders, and delivered for Nassau County and Northeast Florida." This completes the meaningful endorsements from fire unions in CD 4 this cycle. The Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters (JAFF) endorsed Democrat Michael Kirwan back in March.

Tweet, tweet

Storm prep   If you’re reading this in southern St. Johns or south, you should be happy to know your Congressman and Senator want you to be safe this hurricane season. Randy Fine and Rick Scott are hosting a Hurricane Preparedness Tele-Town Hall on June 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. Randy Fine and Rick Scott are hosting a hurricane preparedness tele-town hall. To join, dial 833-946-1538; the start time may change based on congressional votes. “Hurricane season is here, and being informed and prepared can make all the difference. During this live conversation, Sen. Scott and I will discuss the latest updates from Washington, hurricane preparedness resources, and what families can do now to stay safe before a storm hits. We will also take questions directly from constituents,” Fine says.

Tweet, tweet

Trinidad bound   A Northeast Florida politician and former Florida Lt. Governor is on the cusp of becoming the newest U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. President Donald Trump announced this week that he wants Jennifer Johnson-Carroll to oversee the diplomatic post. Johnson-Carroll is a Trinidadian American with ancestral roots in the island nation. That was part of the reason Trump made the nomination. Jennifer Johnson-Carroll is nominated for U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. Johnson-Carroll is a longtime political figure not only in the state, but also on the First Coast, where her political career gained momentum. The Republican was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2003, replacing another entrenched Republican, Mike Hogan, who resigned from the post. She served in the HD 13 seat until 2010. Former Gov. Rick Scott and now U.S. Senator, elevated Johnson-Carroll to Lt. Governor in 2011 as she was his running mate in the 2010 campaign. She was the first Black woman in the state’s history to hold that post. Since then, she’s also served as Chair of Space Florida, the state’s aerospace development bureau.

Tweet, tweet

Early start   Those voting in Duval County's August Primary will be picking a new City Council member, as term-limited Terrance Freeman announced plans to step down amid a House bid. Freeman, who was appointed to the Jacksonville City Council in 2018, then elected in 2019 and 2023, said his resignation is effective either on Nov. 2 or in August, depending on when a replacement is elected. Terrance Freeman is leaving his at-large City Council seat during a House bid. Image via campaign. He is running to replace term-limited Republican Rep. Wyman Duggan in House District 12. The August election, which is countywide since Freeman is one of five at-large members of the Council, will be open to all voters, since Jacksonville's local Primaries are nonpartisan. If one candidate gets a majority, the election is decided; otherwise, the top two face off during the November General Election. While the Duval County Supervisor of Elections webpage has not been updated to reflect the Special Election, three candidates were running for Freeman’s seat in the 2027 General Election. Republican Deborah Wesley, a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Commander, is the choice of 10 current members of the City Council. She has raised nearly $80,000 as of the end of March. Libertarian Addison Jade Patrick has raised nearly $500. Independent Nancy Quinones has yet to report fundraising. Those looking to qualify by petition will need 1,855 signatures. Otherwise, they will have to pay $3,408 if they are members of a party or $2,272.16 if unaligned. Qualifying runs from noon on June 11 to noon the next day. Freeman is well-positioned for his Primary. He has raised nearly $445,000 combined between his campaign account and his political committee, For the Future We Want. In Q1 of this year, he brought in more than $43,000 through his campaign account and an additional $38,500 through his PC. He is currently unopposed in the HD 12 race.

Both sides now   Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is showing strength and bipartisan support in one of her first major fundraisers for her 2027 re-election campaign. The high-powered host committee for Thursday's event in Riverside included several major players who have previously contributed large sums to Republicans. Donna Deegan draws bipartisan backing for an early 2027 re-election fundraiser. Image via Jacksonville Today. The big names include real estate magnate and Gov. Ron DeSantis ally Mori Hosseini, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan (who helped to fund President Donald Trump’s first inauguration), and Tampa Bay Rays co-owner Patrick Zalupski. Zalupski is another DeSantis ally who, like Hosseini, is on the University of Florida Board of Trustees. Hosseini was a major proponent of the University of Florida campus that came to Jacksonville. Khan derived benefit from the public-private partnership that funds stadium renovations. And Zalupski’s Dream Finders Homes has been highly active in the local and state political process. Other names historically associated with Republican political causes are also on the host committee, including JEA Board member John Baker, Ambassador John Rood, former Mayor Lenny Curry, Chief of Staff Kerri Stewart, real estate developer Andy Allen, and former Trump aide Omarosa Manigault Newman. "I’m grateful to receive the support of business leaders from across the political spectrum. I appreciate their support of my leadership and all the progress we’re making in Jacksonville," Deegan exclusively told Florida Politics on Thursday. Though the formal campaign is just beginning, Deegan has already begun fundraising. The aligned Duval for All political committee has raised more than $1.62 million and has spent less than $177,000. No serious opposition has filed for the former newscaster.

Nick of time   The Jacksonville City Council is elevating Vice President Nick Howland to President in July. It has selected Joe Carlucci as the next Vice President after a spirited campaign for the job, which is generally a springboard to the top. Howland, a Navy veteran who represents at-large Group 3, was first elected in a 2022 Special Election. He's running again in 2027 and has more than $320,000 banked for his re-election bid. Nick Howland prepares to lead the Jacksonville City Council in July. During his year leading the Council, Howland vowed to focus on public safety, infrastructure, making Jacksonville attractive to businesses without using taxpayer dollars, and giving Citizen Planning Advisory Committees a "seat at the table" to give neighborhoods a stronger voice. Howland also wanted the Council to work "as a team," even though it’s an election year. Howland's nomination was uncontested. The VP slot was not, however, with four candidates and two rounds of voting preceding the selection of Republican Carlucci in a 10-9 decision over Chris Miller. Democrat Rahman Johnson and Republican Ken Amaro were eliminated in the first round. Howland says job creation and public safety will be his priorities, per First Coast News.

Tweet, tweet

Land grab   The North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) is at the center of yet another land conservation deal that will protect hundreds of acres of environmentally sensitive property. A total of 860.55 acres of land will now be protected in Bradford County thanks to the agreement the NFLT brokered. The tract will also fall within the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor (O2O) and the Camp Blanding Army Compatible Use Buffer Zone. The O2O now encompasses about 1.6 million acres of protected private and public land running from the Osceola National Forest south into Central Florida. Bradford County timberland will become conservation property. Image via North Florida Land Trust. The property cost $5.42 million to acquire. NFLT officials say it was funded by the U.S. Army National Guard and the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program. The Florida Defense Support Commission also provided financial support. The stretch of land was owned by Rayonier Forest Resources and used for timber harvesting. The property is adjacent to the NFLT’s Triangle Preserve and Suwannee River Management, Santa Fe Swamp Conservation Area. The land newly designated as conservation property will support wildlife protection, water quality and climate resilience in Northeast Florida. “This is a significant property for connectivity within the O2O, and strengthens the regional conservation network,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “We’re excited about what this means for wildlife, water resources, and the long-term protection of Camp Blanding’s mission. Camp Blanding has been an outstanding conservation partner, helping ensure these lands remain protected in their natural state forever. The time to protect Florida’s natural lands is now.”

Hero homes   Jacksonville’s Westside is getting new affordable housing with a mission attached: helping veterans, active-duty military families and working residents find a place they can afford. Housing Trust Group has broken ground on Normandy Cove, a 144-unit income-restricted community at 7375 Sheldon Drive. Half the apartments will be dedicated to active-duty service members and veterans, with 5% reserved for veterans experiencing homelessness. Rents are expected to range from about $470 to $1,716 for residents earning 30%, 60% or 70% of the area median income. Normandy Cove will bring income-restricted housing to Jacksonville's Westside. The project includes local partnerships with Hope4Veterans and Sulzbacher, which will help connect residents with employment assistance, fiscal management, homeownership opportunities and veteran-focused support services. In other words, not just keys and a lease. The financing stack is sizable: low-income housing tax credit equity, loans from TD Bank and Berkadia, state housing funds, city gap funding and support from the Jacksonville Housing Finance Authority. Normandy Cove also includes one-, two- and three-bedroom units, a pool, fitness center, clubhouse and meeting space for veteran service providers. A second phase could add 99 more units, bringing the total planned community to 243 homes.

Berth canal   Jacksonville’s Blount Island port terminal is nearing completion of a much larger transportation facility for importing and exporting vehicles. JAXPORT announced this week that construction has reached the halfway mark on the Blount Island Marine Terminal, designed to increase the capacity of vehicle cargo ships coming to the First Coast. The project is expected to be completed in early 2027. JAXPORT's Blount Island expansion is halfway complete, with a new berth expected in early 2027. “As one of the nation’s leading vehicle-handling ports, it’s important that we continue investing in the infrastructure needed to support future demand,” said JAXPORT CEO Eric Green. “Jacksonville’s strategic location and transportation network position us well to serve rising demand for vehicle imports and exports across Florida and the broader Southeast U.S. region.” The expansion at Berth 21 is designed to increase the facility's capacity on Heckscher Drive and will add a third berth. The construction of the new berth is costing $60 million, with 75% of the funding coming from the Florida Department of Transportation and a 25% match from JAXPORT. The new berth will allow larger ships carrying vehicles to arrive at the facility. Berth 22 at the facility already manages vessels up to 750 feet in length.

Crossroad crashing   Jacksonville drivers keep making the wrong choices at the right-of-way. A new study by Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers examined accident data over a decade and found that the First Coast metropolitan area ranked fifth in the U.S. among 100 cities analyzed for intersection crashes. Jacksonville ranks fifth nationally for intersection crashes in a new decade-long study. Analysts from the law firm looked at crash data from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Census Bureau to compile its list. They analyzed intersection wrecks between 2014 and 2023 to order the list by the number of wrecks per 100,000 people. Jacksonville recorded 414 intersection accidents during that period, for a per-capita rate of 2.4 crashes per 100,000 people. That accounts for an average of 41.4 wrecks annually. Jacksonville was outpaced by Albuquerque, New Mexico, which topped the list with 4.1 accidents per 100,000 people. Tucson, Arizona, was No. 2, followed by Memphis, Tennessee, at No. 3 and Colorado Springs, Colorado, at No. 4. “Jacksonville produces more raw crashes than three of the four cities ranked above it nationally, trailing only Memphis by 14 collisions across the full decade,” the study found. The study also said Jacksonville’s high rank is due to the city's failure to address dangerous intersections with improvements. "Its 2.40 rate is not a statistical quirk; it is what a decade of deferred road safety investment looks like." But the comparisons to other Florida cities really set Jacksonville apart. “No other city comes close,” the study concluded. “Jacksonville’s per capita rate is more than five times higher than Orlando’s (0.44 crashes per 100,000) and nearly four times higher than Miami’s (0.46 wrecks per 100,000).”

Salutin’ spouses   The spouses of military veterans in Jacksonville will get their own special night out on Thursday. The city’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department, along with sponsor VyStar Credit Union, is hosting the Ninth Annual Military Spouses Night Out from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The celebration of military spouses is not only going big time on the level of an arena, but it’s also free. Military Spouses Night Out is designed to honor spouses of active-duty service members and retirees. The event is a tip of the hat to spouses who support and make sacrifices as their significant others serve their country. Jacksonville will host its Ninth Annual Military Spouses Night Out at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. In Jacksonville, the event has relevance, as the city is one of the largest military cities in Florida, with two major installations based there. Mayport Naval Station at the mouth of the St. Johns River and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, just west of downtown, are the installations where thousands of service personnel are based. “Military Spouses Night Out will feature an evening of appreciation, entertainment, pampering, giveaways, raffles, and community fellowship designed specifically for military spouses. The event has become a highly anticipated annual tradition recognizing the important role military spouses play in supporting the military community,” a city press release said. While the event is free, city officials say participants will need to present valid identification and no childcare is provided. There is free parking at Lot Z near the arena, though.

Jaguars’ Walker looking for return to form   The Jaguars continued their offseason practices, known as Organized Team Activities (OTAs), this week. One of the conversations around the team is the relative lack of big moves this offseason. On defense, in particular, the Jaguars will look largely the same as they did last year with a few exceptions. Gone are starting linebacker Devin Lloyd and sometimes-starting safety Andrew Wingard. The Jaguars did not add any likely starters in free agency or the draft. However, they spent third-round picks on defensive tackle Albert Regis and defensive back Jalen Huskey, neither of whom is expected to start as rookies. Travon Walker is working back toward form after an injury-shortened Jaguars season. Image via The Florida Times-Union. The team will see Travis Hunter return to the field after an injury cut short his rookie season. Hunter is expected to play substantial snaps at cornerback for the Jaguars in 2026. The Jaguars were the top rush defense in 2025 and ranked third in the NFL in expected points added per play, a metric that measures defensive situational efficiency. How can they be better? Much of that comes down to the pass-rush. Josh Hines-Allen led the team with eight sacks, with Arik Armstead contributing 5.5 and Travon Walker collecting 3.5 sacks. While sacks are not the only way to judge a defense’s pass-rush, it is an area the Jaguars would like to see improved. Walker played in 14 games, some of them while battling injury. “We were the number one rush defense last year for a reason. He was a huge part of that,” said Jaguars’ head coach Liam Coen. “Now it's like, all right, we got to be able to stop the run at a high clip and rush the passer as well at a high clip.” Walker spent time in the offseason grading his own game tape from last season. Now, the hope is that he will apply those lessons and return to being a double-digit sacker as he was in 2023 and 2024. Despite the falloff in sacks last season, the Jaguars signed Walker to a four-year, $110 million contract extension with $77 million guaranteed. “It's been good being around the guys, being around the team, obviously being able to start to get back healthy,” Walker said. “I've been on that journey ever since, probably like the middle of the season last year. It's definitely been a grind, but it's been great so far.” As the season progressed, Walker was often pushed into pass-rush situations. Walker made the move without complaint. “I’m a team guy, so I want to be in any position wherever they put me to be able to help the team,” Walker said. “I feel like wherever they put me … on the line, no matter where it is, I feel I can dominate whatever position it is, so I just want to come and eat, practice, and work on whatever, wherever it is they put me.” If Walker can return to form as a 10-sack contributor and Allen can do so in the second half of the season, when he picked up seven sacks in the last 10 weeks, the Jaguars’ defense can be a strength of the team. It will have to be with a tougher schedule in 2026.

Unsubscribe Having trouble viewing this email? View in browser © 2026 Extensive Enterprises Media 204 37th Avenue North, #182 St. Petersburg, FL 33704

Giving Thanks

  

 Each week we take one day and thank God for the blessings we have received during the week. 

We all want to pray but sometimes we find it difficult to begin our prayer.

 Many Pastors and Ministers suggest you begin your prayer by praying back God’s words from Scripture 

Pray: Our Father in heaven, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Lord hear Your words:   Philemon 1:4 I always thank God when I pray for you, Philemon.

Lord hear my praise and thanksgiving (Say your praise, and thankfulness for God's work in your life this week) - In Jesus name I pray - Amen

Some things to be thankful for:  

Life and Health: Thank God for the gift of life, breath, physical strength, and the ability to experience the world each day.

 Salvation and Grace: Give thanks for Jesus Christ—His forgiveness, mercy, and the hope of eternal life.

Love and Relationships: Be grateful for God’s unfailing love and the people He places in your life—family, friends, and mentors

Provision and Protection: Thank Him for daily needs: food, shelter, safety and for His peace in every situation.

Purpose and Growth: Praise Him for your calling, your growth through trials, and the chance to live with purpose and joy

To learn more about accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior click here: SALVATION CONNECTION

See your daily Prayer Pod at: His Moments

 

PLEASE SHARE TO YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM

   

Michael Grant launches 2028 bid for Ben Albritton’s Senate seat with 20-plus endorsements in hand

HEADLINES Michael Grant is making his move for 2028 — and he isn’t being subtle about it. The former House Majority Leader and Punta Gorda Republican filed Tuesday to run for Senate District 27, the Southwest Florida seat Senate President Ben Albritton will leave behind when he hits term limits in 2028. Grant rolled out the […]


The post Michael Grant launches 2028 bid for Ben Albritton’s Senate seat with 20-plus endorsements in hand appeared first on Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.. For More Florida Politics - CLICK HERE:


http://dlvr.it/TSsjCp

4 de junio Cápsula de Oración

http://dlvr.it/TSsf19