Jacksonville Bold for 2.11.26: Trump bump

Trump boost, immigration probe and House fights roil Jacksonville ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises U.S. Reps. Aaron Bean and John Rutherford can tell that Republican President Donald Trump is satisfied with their job performance after receiving endorsements on Tuesday night. "As a Member of the POWERFUL Ways & Means Committee, Aaron knows the America First Policies required to Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, and Champion our Nation's Golden Age. He is also fighting tirelessly to Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment," Trump says of Bean. Aaron Bean and John Rutherford — Jacksonville-area lawmakers — thank President Donald Trump after receiving endorsements backing their re-election bids. Of Rutherford, Trump says the following: "As the former Sheriff of Duval County, and now, as a Highly Respected U.S. Congressman, John strongly supports our incredible Law Enforcement, Military, and Veterans, and knows the Wisdom and Courage it takes to Ensure LAW AND ORDER." Both Jacksonville-area legislators were quick to say thanks. "Grateful for President Trump's strong endorsement and continued support. We've stood shoulder to shoulder for years fighting for law and order, border security, and the America First values that keep our country strong. I appreciate President Trump's confidence, leadership, and unwavering commitment to this fight," Rutherford said. "I am honored to receive President Trump's complete and total endorsement. Serving as your Representative for Florida's 4th Congressional District has been the privilege of a lifetime and one that I do not take lightly. I will continue the fight to cut taxes, stand for law and order, and always put America First. Thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership and strong support," Bean said.

ICE-capades   Have city of Jacksonville employees and Mayor Donna Deegan worked to "impede immigration enforcement?" Attorney General James Uthmeier said Monday his Office of Statewide Prosecution has sent a subpoena seeking to probe whether there was a "coordinated effort among officials … to thwart investigative efforts," amid an ongoing conflict between the Republican government in Tallahassee and the Democratic Chief Executive in City Hall. And he says federal anti-racketeering laws and even statewide anti-doxing laws could be in play, depending on what state prosecutors find. Donna Deegan and James Uthmeier — Jacksonville Mayor and Florida Attorney General — clash over subpoena in immigration enforcement probe. "This morning, the Office of Statewide Prosecution sent a criminal subpoena to the Deegan administration in Jacksonville. If there's evidence that her administration coordinated to impede immigration enforcement and harbor criminal aliens, we will hold them accountable," Uthmeier posted on X ahead of a news conference in Green Cove Springs. Republicans have raised questions about the mayoral administration's attitude toward ongoing immigration enforcement in the city after a staffer, Yanira Cardona, offered advice last month on how to deal with immigration policing "targeting" them. Uthmeier said Monday that was the reason for the probe. "Local officials, they do not have discretion. There is an obligation to use best efforts to facilitate, help the federal government carry out their law enforcement efforts," Uthmeier said. The subpoena seeks all records produced by or sent to Cardona between Jan. two and Jan. 16, including those on city-provided devices and personal devices used to conduct city business. Cardona, the city's Director of Hispanic Outreach, has conflated the two at times, featuring her business card on her personal Instagram. The city's Custodian of Records is set to appear at the AG's Jacksonville office on Feb. 20 to testify on this matter, which the city's General Counsel Michael Fackler said wasn't a violation of law. Deegan, following his lead, said last month Cardona's only violation was of the city's social media policy. She was put on leave and then reinstated to her position days later. After the subpoena was sent, Deegan accused Uthmeier of a "fishing expedition" driven by the election cycle.

Sexual predator victim   A Rhode Island man is accused of being a sexual predator who lured a Green Cove Springs girl into posting illicit sex images online. AG Uthmeier on Monday announced the arrest of the "sicko" man, Justin Adkins, 29, who "developed an online relationship" with a Green Cove Springs girl. He said Adkins initially engaged the girl on the gaming app Fortnite, and that relationship later moved to Snapchat. Ultimately, the inappropriate association continued onto the app Roblox. Justin Adkins from Rhode Island was arrested after allegedly luring a Green Cove Springs girl into sharing illicit images online. Law enforcement in Florida now has thousands of files "with child sex abuse content," with many illegal images of the victim they seized from the Snapchat exchanges. Uthmeier said the suspect sent the girl gifts, including an iPhone and digital currency, via Roblox. "That's how sick this dude was," Uthmeier said during a news conference in Green Cove Springs. Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Green Cove Springs Police investigators traveled to West Warwick, Rhode Island, to make the arrest on Feb. 2. The suspect is expected to be extradited to Florida within days and is already facing two child molestation charges in Rhode Island. For Uthmeier, the connection to Roblox in the case struck a chord. He filed a 76-page lawsuit in December against the company in the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Baker County. The lawsuit followed several legal maneuvers by Uthmeier in 2025, including a civil action and a criminal investigation of Roblox in October.

Health summit   As drug prices rise, can Congress continue subsidizing charity care at hospitals? That was the question at the heart of a panel hosted by Bean on Capitol Hill as lawmakers evaluate the future of the 340B Drug Discount program. The federal program, in place since 1992, has provided funding to reduce costs. Aaron Bean hosts Capitol Hill panel examining future of federal 340B drug discount program funding. But Karyn Schwartz, senior vice president of Policy and Research Development for PhRMA, said the program over the decades has only driven up medication costs as an increasing number of hospitals take advantage of the program. "More than half of all hospitals qualify, including some of the largest hospital systems, some of the wealthiest hospitals in this country," Schwartz said. "That actually includes a lot of the hospitals that we see celebrities go to. Both Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian had their babies at 340B hospitals." Bharath Krishnamurthy, Director of Pharmaceutical Policy of the American Hospital Association (AHA), said it was wrong to point the finger at hospitals. And he scoffed at the idea that hospitals should not be eligible if they treat celebrities. "They go to the hospitals in their community," he said. Krishnamurthy said there were already definitions in federal statute determining which patients are eligible for 340B pricing, even if the pharmaceutical industry doesn't like the regulations. He specifically cited multiple Florida hospitals that rely on the program and could suffer a significant impact if the program were to simply go away. He said the AHA specifically addressed Bean constituents who rely on UF Health Jacksonville for care. "What they tell me is that 340B helps them get healthy, nutritious food at the food pharmacy that the hospital will set up for their dietary purposes," Krishnamurthy said.

One Fine day   Jennifer Jenkins, a former member of the Brevard County School Board, is launching a campaign against U.S. Rep. Randy Fine in Florida's 6th Congressional District in east-central Florida. In taking on Fine, one of the most outspoken members of Congress and a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, Jenkins is betting the formula she used to win big in a Trump +17 electorate in a previous cycle can translate to the wave election Democrats anticipated in 2026, and allow her to do something meaningful along the way. Jennifer Jenkins launches bid against Randy Fine in Florida's 6th Congressional District, citing affordability concerns and party unity. "My process of getting into the U.S. Senate race in the first place was not about me personally. It was about where I felt like I could make a big difference. I felt like it was important for us to have a candidate in and have them in early and show that Florida was still viable," she said, before explaining her decision to run against the first-term firebrand who was elected in a Special Election last April. "As I assessed the race and as other competition had come into it, I really focused on what's important for this party and for the state, which is unifying and moving forward in the right direction. And so, I looked at where I can make the biggest difference right now," she said. Jenkins believes she can make the biggest difference against Fine, someone with whom she's had conflicts in the past and someone whom she also believes wouldn't have been elected last year without a lot of external help. "I believe that Democrats need to flip the House, that this seat can absolutely be in play with me as a candidate, and I think I'm the right person to win," Jenkins told Florida Politics on Wednesday, before she officially entered the race. Jenkins said Fine "has always been divisive (and) provocative" and is a "danger." "He's exactly what we don't want in politics. He's exactly the reason why people hate paying attention to politics. It's all about self-interest and self-preservation, and he doesn't focus on the issues that actually matter to people." Primary among those issues is what Jenkins calls an "affordability crisis," something Fine doesn't address. "I don't know if there has been a single instance in which Randy Fine has talked about that issue and has addressed that issue. He's stuck in culture war fights. He's constantly just worried about getting press and getting on camera. And having a history with him, knowing his quirks, knowing what actually drives him, I think is really important for a candidate who is running in this race," Jenkins said. Jenkins raised a little more than $350,000 for her Senate campaign, retaining slightly more than $100,000 cash on hand. That number is far below the nearly $1 million Fine had to spend at the end of 2025, yet far above the totals amassed by other Democrats in the field.

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That smell   Along party lines, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee advanced by a 10-5 vote Rep. Dean Black's bill (HB 1003), which looks to close the loop on ambiguous statutory language regarding open medical marijuana containers and give police the right to follow their nose when investigating potentially impaired motorists. Dean Black advances HB 1003 to allow vehicle searches based on cannabis smell and tighten rules on open medical marijuana containers. The Jacksonville Republican's bill would make it easier for law enforcement to have probable cause to search vehicles, stipulating that the "smell" of cannabis constitutes grounds for a search during a traffic stop or while the vehicle is parked. First-time violators could have their licenses suspended, while repeat offenders could have their driving privileges revoked. Black said his "Clear Minds and Safe Roads Act" is similar to when banning drinking and driving happened decades ago, changing it to a "social taboo," and is necessary given the preponderance of drivers who get high and cause accidents. "Marijuana," Black said regarding road safety, "is the biggest problem we face." If containers are in locked compartments or passengers in commercial vehicles possess them, drivers are not liable. Passengers with open containers could be subject to non-criminal infractions. Black said he has seen violations of the proposed law himself recently, including two people in a car "passing a bong" on Monroe Street in Tallahassee. He said the legislation would remove the temptation to hit a bong in the case of "anxiety."

Easier path   A challenger to House Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison's re-election has left the race, leaving him only one opponent in August's Primary. According to records from the Division of Elections, Cory Jett of Middleburg withdrew last month. Sam Garrison faces one remaining Primary challenger after Cory Jett withdraws from Florida House race. Antonette Harmon, a professional commercial office cleaner from Orange Park, is still in the race. But she had just $66 on hand as of the end of last September, and has not filed a finance report since, amid questions from the division about her record-keeping in the form of an audit announced in August. Should he be re-elected, Garrison envisions his two years as Speaker in 2027 and 2028 as opportunities to bring resources to Northeast Florida in general and Clay County in particular. In 2024, he got nearly 70% of the vote against a Democrat in the General Election. Two years earlier, he received nearly 74%. No Democrats have filed in the heavily Republican leaning district.

Charter changes   The House State Affairs Committee is advancing two bills from House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan that could change how government runs in Jacksonville from now on. The next stop for each of these proposals is the House floor on Wednesday afternoon. Wyman Duggan advances HB 4045 and HB 4049 to reshape Jacksonville Aviation Authority oversight and Duval County School Board legal structure. HB 4045 would change the charter of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) to make it responsible for aerospace development at Cecil Airport. This one-time Navy base has been repurposed for commercial use. JAA would have to provide an economic development plan yearly to the Jacksonville City Council as part of this deal. The Duval County School Board could have its own general counsel next year, breaking with almost six decades of precedent in Jacksonville's consolidated government. HB 4049 seeks a general counsel independent of the one atop local government. However, the Board lawyer would ultimately be "subject to the opinion" of the city's general counsel and would otherwise be subordinate in litigation and contract preparation, in accordance with a condition to which the Board agreed.

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Temp prez   The University of North Florida has selected a temporary replacement for Moez Limayem, who is leaving the top slot at the school. Angela Garcia Falconetti will officially step in as interim president for UNF on Monday. Falconetti has been President of Polk State College in Lakeland and Winter Haven since 2017. The UNF Board of Trustees will continue a search for a permanent president while Falconetti temporarily takes over the helm at the Jacksonville-based campus. Angela Garcia Falconetti named interim president of University of North Florida as Moez Limayem departs for University of South Florida. "The University of North Florida is on an upward trajectory, and Angela Garcia Falconetti will continue building on that momentum during the transition process," said UNF Board Chair Steve Moore. "As a UNF graduate who grew up in Jacksonville, Angela knows the University, has strong ties to business and civic leaders and will ensure continued focus on ensuring student success, investing in research and innovation, accelerating the success of faculty and staff and expanding and strengthening community partnerships." Limayem announced his planned departure in September to return to the University of South Florida. The Board of Trustees there hired him as president. While he landed the president's job at UNF in 2022, he relocated to Jacksonville after serving as the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business at USF for a decade. Falconetti said she has no plans to apply for the permanent presidency at UNF.

Busing business   A transportation company opened a new headquarters in Jacksonville this week. Daimler Coaches North America (DCNA) held its official grand opening on Tuesday. The company produces Daimler Buses and Mercedes-Benz Tourrider motorcoaches. Daimler Coaches North America opens Jacksonville headquarters to produce Daimler Buses and Mercedes-Benz Tourrider motorcoaches. The company's new U.S. headquarters is located at 7215 Jones Branch Blvd. on Jacksonville's Westside north of Interstate 10. The opening was marked Tuesday by a ceremony celebrating the facility, which will not only add jobs to the First Coast area but also represent a long-term commitment to Florida, according to a press release from JAXUSA Partnership, the business development wing of JAXChamber. Deegan was a featured speaker at the ribbon-cutting event, along with Daimler Buses CEO Till Oberworder and DCNA CEO and President Dietrich Muller.

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The future is now   Now that the NFL season has ended, NFL coaching staff and executives are looking to the future. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, that future — at least in the near term — includes some pivotal decisions in free agency and then an attempt to find some impact players in a draft in which the Jaguars do not possess a first-round pick. Jacksonville Jaguars enter offseason weighing free agency, franchise tag options and draft strategy without first-round pick. Beginning on Feb. 17 and running until March 3, NFL teams can begin to use the franchise tag on a player they want to lock into a guaranteed one-year deal. It's possible, but not probable, that the Jaguars could use the tag on one of their free-agent-to-be. Linebacker Devin Lloyd, running back Travis Etienne, safety Andrew Wingard and cornerback Montaric Brown are the highest-profile players set to become free agents. Lloyd figures to command the biggest contract of those three. If the Jaguars were to tag one of those players, they would be guaranteed the average of the top five highest-paid players at their positions. At linebacker, that's $28.197 million; for a running back, it's $14.536 million. Safety and corner are also over $20 million per season. Because the Jaguars are tight on salary cap space, it would be surprising if they used the tag. But it is available if they wish to utilize it to keep a player they don't believe will sign a long-term deal. The annual scouting combine begins on Feb. 23. It is the highest-profile segment of the draft process. Because the Jaguars traded away their first-round pick in the deal that landed Travis Hunter in Jacksonville, the team will have to find some top players further down the draft board. Because the Jaguars finished the season as a playoff team, they will not pick until the 56th selection in the draft, barring a trade. What kind of player can they expect to land at No. 56? There have been a few players drafted at that spot who have made an impact. In 2019, the Chiefs used the 56th pick on Georgia wide receiver and return man Mecole Hardman. He helped Kansas City advance to the Super Bowl. In 2003, the New York Giants took Osi Umenyiora. The defensive end was a key performer in two Super Bowl-winning teams. The Jaguars have drafted with the 56th pick before. In 1999, the team selected Florida State defensive lineman Larry Smith, a minor contributor who played six seasons in the NFL. If you go back even further, you can find impact players like Tom Rathman, the fullback on the San Francisco 49ers of the 1980s, and Oakland Raiders tight end Todd Christensen, picked with the 56th selection. Suffice it to say, the Jaguars will have to buck the trend if they are to find an impact player at that spot in the draft. The biggest difference this offseason compared with most of the last quarter-century is that the Jaguars head into it with a strong roster foundation and the arrow pointing up for their future prospects.

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