Jacksonville Bold for 1.21.26: Nixon’s next move

Jacksonville politics churn as ambitions, scandals, and legislation collide heading into 2026. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises Is she running for Senate? Jacksonville City Council? Or something else? Local political watchers have waited for Rep. Angie Nixon to say what exactly she's running for, and they don't have to wait much longer for the answer. "I don't know. Maybe Governor," she said when asked, again, about what's coming next. Just for fun, we asked if she had any interest in running for Mayor against Donna Deegan next year. "I mean...," she said cryptically. The Florida House's loss will be some governing body's gain, maybe. We'll find out Sunday. Angie Nixon fuels Jacksonville speculation as she teases the next race, including a challenge to Donna Deegan.

Trouble on the left   Jacksonville Republicans are reveling in the struggles faced by the Deegan administration after the city's Hispanic Outreach Coordinator, Yanira Cardona, was put on administrative leave after she told illegal immigrants how to avoid ICE arrests from her office in City Hall. But it's not just because they believe the issue shows Deegan is opposed to federal and state efforts to remove illegal immigrants, but because the mayoral response also irked the left. Donna Deegan faces fallout as Yanira Cardona controversy fuels protest and maneuvering ahead of 2027. A protest at City Hall on Friday included at least one attendee holding a sign calling for Deegan not to win re-election, which they see as a sign that Deegan is vulnerable next year. Could there be a young, left-wing candidate in the mix in 2027 … one that might have GOP encouragement? It's possible. And it doesn't matter if that candidate wins — the point of such an effort, as far as Republicans are concerned, would be to keep Deegan below 50% in March 2027's First Election, to force a runoff in the May General Election. Right now, the four candidates who have filed haven't raised much money and likely don't fit the bill. But if you see a challenger saying Deegan hasn't gone far enough, don't be surprised if Republicans don't mind, as that campaign could be a vote sink for the left and a political problem for the Democratic Mayor.

Punch card   A woman who allegedly got physical in her response to immigration enforcement now finds herself facing charges of her own, in a case that has gained national attention. Jennifer Cruz, 40, has been charged with a complaint for assaulting officers conducting an immigration operation in the Middle District of Florida. Jennifer Cruz was charged after allegedly punching a trooper during a Jacksonville immigration enforcement traffic stop operation incident. "According to the complaint, federal immigration officers, assisted by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), were conducting an operation in Jacksonville to locate and administratively arrest aliens who were illegally present in the United States. Cruz was driving by and recording on her cellphone as an FHP Trooper pulled over a vehicle for a traffic infraction. Cruz parked near the site of the traffic stop and was yelling at the Trooper as she continued to record. Immigration officers subsequently determined that the two occupants of the vehicle were aliens who were illegally present in the United States," reads the release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Cruz, who was allegedly using her cellphone while driving, was asked to present her driver's license. She did not have the physical document. Further investigation revealed that her license was suspended last June, leading to her vehicle being impounded. When troopers attempted to get her keys from her, Cruz punched one of them.

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Bomb scare   Multiple House members of the Duval County Legislative Delegation tell Florida Politics they or their staff got an email Sunday morning threatening to bomb their offices and shoot people there unless they make a ransom payment. Because this is an ongoing investigation by the House Sergeant of Arms, we will not reveal the names of those who claim to have received it. Still, members of both parties say they got the communication, which purports to be from someone with a name and an email address included. "I am writing this email to inform you all that there's multiple bombs inside of your building.... I'm ready to die there on Monday. I have an AR-15 that I will be using to shoot everyone after the bombs explode," the email reads, "at 10 a.m. Monday." Bomb threat email targets Duval County legislative offices, prompting an investigation and law enforcement sweeps response. The correspondent uses what could be false information to tell the lawmakers who got the communication to contact her if they want to negotiate a settlement. Legislators did not recognize the name purportedly used to send the email. At least one recipient says the email was sent to a previous office location. Law enforcement was notified and swept the area, finding it clear. We have reached out to the House sergeant-at-arms office to get more information about the ongoing probe.

Locals only   Two priority pieces of legislation for Duval County advanced in a House Committee on Tuesday. The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee moved forward HB 4045, which charges the Jacksonville Aviation Authority with ensuring that Cecil Airport develops and expands as a spaceport and HB 4049, which would give the Duval County School Board internal counsel. House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan is sponsoring both bills. House panel advances bill steering Cecil Airport toward spaceport role as Duval priorities move forward. HB 4045's plan to "accelerate job creation" is to establish an Economic Development Committee to pursue direct international flights to Jacksonville International Airport and to use JAA to drive more aerospace business to Cecil Field, with the Committee reporting annually to that end. HB 4049 was watered down in the process, with Jacksonville officials ultimately agreeing that the General Counsel's opinion would still bind the School Board lawyer. The measures got neither objections nor debate. They have two stops ahead before the floor.

Riverdance   A House Subcommittee unanimously approved a bill to restore the Ocklawaha River that drew strong praise from environmentalists and fierce opposition from local officials in Putnam County. The mixed public feedback on HB 981 makes it clear the piece of legislation to remove the dam remains controversial after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $6.25 million in funding for Ocklawaha River restoration during the 2025 Session. Ocklawaha River restoration bill advances, drawing environmental praise and opposition from Putnam County despite DeSantis veto. "It's a local decision. It's a local issue. It needs to stay local, but make no exception to this; Putnam County wasn't considered locally. We've never been asked about this. We don't want this," said Putnam County Commissioner Larry Harvey, who voiced concerns about West Putnam lakes drying up. Rep. Wyman Duggan, a Jacksonville Republican, defended his bill and argued that the restoration project is of greater importance because the Ocklawaha is the primary tributary feeding into the St. Johns River. "This is, at a minimum, a regional issue. The Ocklawaha River touches 12 counties, but I submit it's a state-level issue. The St. Johns River is the longest river in the state, and it's the most significant," Duggan said. Rep. Lindsay Cross called the bill "a big lift." "I will be a strong supporter of it and hope we can get this across the finish line this year," said Cross, a St. Petersburg Democrat. Duggan added that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will oversee the river restoration and will consider residents' concerns about water-level impacts. Duggan's bill would require the DEP to develop a plan to restore the Ocklawaha River by Jan. 1, 2027, and then finish the work by Dec. 31, 2032.

Homeless problem   The schizoid campaign of gubernatorial hopeful James Fishback continues to out-absurd itself with each passing news cycle. One of the more recent incidents, unsurprisingly, had a Jacksonville dateline. After an event last weekend, Fishback and his campaign manager presented an altruistic photo op, hitting up a drive-thru to buy some food for the underprivileged. Sounds nice! At least for the one guy who we see getting a hamburger – and did he sign a release to be used in this de facto political ad? But wait, isn't Fishback the same guy who wanted to send the National Guard after the homeless?? Perhaps if he becomes Governor and his plan comes to pass, Fishback can get Ronald McDonald and the Duke of Doubt to help troops with removal actions.

Nassau notes   Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a critical opinion saying Nassau County can't jack up the rate of impact-fee increases beyond Florida limits just because its population has increased substantially in the past half-decade. Uthmeier said in a news release that he received a request to examine potential additional impact fees amid growth in the First Coast county. Rep. Richard Gentry, a DeBary Republican, asked for the Attorney General's opinion. Richard Gentry wins backing as opinion blocks Nassau County from exceeding state impact-fee limits. The county has about 103,000 residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. That's about a 17% jump from 2020. Nassau County Commissioners approved impact-fee increases in December, citing the rapid growth of the municipality as "extraordinary circumstances." In some cases, it resulted in a 50% increase in impact fees over four years in multiple phases, according to a Fernandina Observer report. Florida law allows counties to increase impact fees beyond 50% if there are "extraordinary circumstances." The fees are assessed to developers by local governments to cover the impact that buildings and developments have on local services, such as infrastructure, schools and public services. Uthmeier said in his three-page opinion sent to Gentry that Nassau County doesn't meet the threshold for raising impact fees at the rate approved in December. Gentry's Dec. 17 letter to Uthmeier said Nassau County's interpretation of impact-fee increases was off base. "The interpretation is deeply flawed," Gentry said bluntly. Gentry added that his motivation for seeking Uthmeier's opinion was his concern that counties could begin usurping the authority of the Legislature, which crafts state law. "Nassau County's interpretation of this statute would undermine the Legislature's intent and open the door to arbitrary fee hikes statewide," Gentry wrote. "I urge your office to confirm that Nassau County cannot lawfully exceed the statutory cap." In the opinion, Uthmeier agreed with Gentry. "The steady, albeit heightened, increase in population of 17% over the previous five years does not qualify as 'extraordinary circumstances,'" Uthmeier said.

Bevy of UNF Board appointees   The University of North Florida Board of Trustees is getting three new members, while two are returning for another term. Gov. DeSantis announced the appointments of Andrew Hudson, Michael Mayo and Daniel Skinner to the UNF panel. DeSantis also decided to bring back Christopher Lazzara and Allison Korman Shelton to the Board that oversees policy for the Jacksonville-based school. Andrew Hudson, Michael Mayo and Daniel Skinner join the University of North Florida Board of Trustees. Hudson is the vice president and Special Counsel for corporate affairs for BlinkRX, a prescription drug retail company. He's also the former Vice President and General Counsel for TechNet, counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy Counsel and was a Legislative Director and General Counsel for U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican. Mayo is the president and CEO of health care giant Baptist Health. He's also a community advocate and serves on the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees. He was bestowed an honorary doctorate in health care from Jacksonville University. Skinner is an Assistant State Attorney and Director of Homicide for the 4th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office serving Northeast Florida. He was the former Director of the Special Prosecution Unit. Lazzara is the co-founder and CEO of MountainStar Capital and a co-founder of the Georgia School of Orthodontics. He was also pegged as one of the Top 40 Under 40 business professionals in the Jacksonville area by the Jacksonville Business Journal. Shelton is the Owner and mental health counselor at San Marco Counseling in the area near downtown Jacksonville, off the Southbank of the St. Johns River. She has been active in community involvement in Jacksonville and was a former member of the Bolles School Board of Trustees and is the former President of the Jewish Community Alliance. The Florida Senate still has to give final approval to the appointments.

Downtown partnership   Junior Achievement of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville announced a long-term partnership Tuesday to create a Junior Achievement Experiential Learning Center on FSCJ's Downtown Campus through a 50-year land lease. The planned facility will serve more than 30,000 students each year across Northeast Florida, offering hands-on simulations that allow students to run businesses, earn paychecks, manage budgets and explore career paths tied to real-world skills. Junior Achievement of North Florida partners with Florida State College at Jacksonville on a downtown experiential learning center. "The ELC reflects what's possible when education, business and community come together around a shared goal," said Shannon Italia, president of Junior Achievement of North Florida, calling the project a foundation for a future-ready workforce. The center will build on Junior Achievement's state-aligned curriculum, including programs such as JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park®, focused on financial literacy and workforce readiness. "This partnership embodies FSCJ's commitment to serving as an educational anchor for our community," said FSCJ President John Avendano, noting the connection between early learning, college and careers. Design and engineering are underway, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and a soft opening planned for Fall 2027.

Home sales mixed for First Coast   It was a mixed bag of indicators for housing sales in December along the First Coast. The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) reports that single-family home sales showed a notable year-over-year decline, while monthly figures rose sharply across the six-county region. There were 1,751 closed house sales in December, a 5.9% decline from December 2024's 1,861 homes sold. But that's a 23.3% jump from November's figure of 1,420. The median sales price per home was mixed, down 2.3% from December 2024's $399,000 to $390,000. But that's up by 4% from November's price of $375,000. First Coast home sales dip annually but rebound monthly as prices stabilize, Florida data show. "As we kick off 2026, Northeast Florida's housing market is demonstrating exactly what healthy markets do. It is stabilizing without stalling. Buyers have more opportunity to be thoughtful, sellers are still seeing strong value, and both sides benefit when decisions are informed and expectations are realistic," said NEFAR President Kim Knapp. Duval County posted similar trends to the region, with 874 homes sold last month. That's an 11.8% dip from December 2024 and an 18.8% jump over November. The median sales price was $335,000, the same as a year ago and a 1.5% increase from November. St. Johns County also had similar figures, with 476 home sales in December, a 4% drop from a year ago but a 30.1% jump from November. The median sales price came in at $549,995, a 0.9% increase from a year ago and an 8.7% hike from November.

Carnegie bound   Ten middle and high school musicians from the Cathedral Arts Project String Orchestra earned a Carnegie Hall performance after winning first place in an international competition audition. The ensemble of eighth- through 11th-graders will perform Feb. 1 at a Crescendo International Music Competition winners' recital in New York City. Cathedral Arts Project students earn Carnegie Hall performance after winning international music competition audition honor. Students attend Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, River City Science Academy and Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies. Last names are withheld for privacy. Teaching artist fellow Josh Stone said the honor reflects discipline and stamina, calling the students' commitment and growth especially rewarding to witness. Cathedral Arts President and CEO the Rev. Kimberly Hyatt said the achievement underscores the nonprofit's mission to expand access to the arts and help students reach their potential.

Poaching Jaguars' assistants?   Nearly a third of the NFL teams will have new head coaches when the 2026 season begins. Will any of those teams hire away a Jaguars' assistant? Both offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile have had interest from teams in the market for a head coach. Grant Udinski and Anthony Campanile draw head coaching interest as Jaguars assistants after breakout 2025 season. Udinski has been interviewed twice by the Cleveland Browns. The 30-year-old just completed his first season as the Jaguars' offensive coordinator. The Browns will also interview defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for a second time. Schwartz, 59, is nearly twice Udinski's age and has served as an NFL head coach. He led the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013. The Browns are also expected to bring in Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel for second interviews this week. Campanile interviewed the Ravens for their vacant head coaching position. Baltimore parted ways with John Harbaugh after 18 seasons as the head coach. Campanile took the Jaguars from one of the worst defenses in 2024 before his arrival to one of the league's best in 2025. The Jaguars ranked first in run defense and second in takeaways. The Ravens had interest in San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh before Saleh took the head coaching position with the Tennessee Titans. Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and McDaniel are among a long list of coaches mentioned as potential candidates in Baltimore. As of Tuesday night, McDaniel was reported to be the pick to become the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Miami Dolphins considered Campanile before Miami settled on Jeff Hafley as the team's next head coach. From the Jaguars' perspective, Campanile would be the most difficult coach to lose. While Udinski is considered a rising star in the coaching world, Jaguars' head coach Liam Coen called the offensive plays for the team and will likely continue to do so. Campanile, on the other hand, ran the defense. Early in the preseason, several people within the league commented about how impressive Campanile was in discussing his approach. It translated to the field. These are the kinds of challenges that winning teams face in the offseason. Teams look to playoff teams to poach coaching talent, particularly when both sides of the ball saw such marked improvement in the first season of the new regime. Without a doubt, Coen will have a list of potential replacements should either of his coordinators depart, but given he brought both to Jacksonville, the parting will be bittersweet. Bitter because coaches never want to lose an assistant they trust and respect, and sweet because when other teams desire your assistants, it's proof that other franchises and decision makers highly regard the success.

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