Jacksonville Bold for 2.4.26: Cash for Congressmen

Money, power, and politics collide across Jacksonville and Florida government. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises U.S. Reps. Aaron Bean and John Rutherford exited 2025 with cash advantages in their respective bids for re-election in districts drawn, at least ahead of an expected redistricting this year, to Republicans' advantage. Bean, who was first elected after the last redistricting four years ago, reports having raised more than $1.25 million last year, with nearly $1.09 million to spend to defend his seat that includes Clay, Nassau and part of Duval counties. Aaron Bean and John Rutherford head into re-election cycles with sizable cash advantages in Northeast Florida congressional districts. The only Democrat in the race to raise significant money is former Jacksonville Ethics Commission Chair Michael Kirwan, but he's got ground to make up. Though he's raised more than $363,000, with less than $183,000 on hand. Rutherford, whose 5th Congressional District includes some of Duval and St. Johns counties, ended last year with more than $311,000 on hand, putting him well ahead of his Primary challenger, podcaster Mark Kaye, who has a little more than $8,000 on hand. The best fundraiser on the Democratic side of the CD 5 race, former state House hopeful Rachel Grage, closed 2025 with nearly $70,000 left to spend. Rutherford was first elected to office in 2016. He served three terms as Jacksonville Sheriff from 2003 to 2015.

Squad goals   In the Democratic Primary battle in Florida's U.S. Senate race, at least one candidate appears to have "Squad" goals. State Rep. Angie Nixon's exploratory committee, "Angie for America," features mostly local donors. But one prominent exception jumps out: the campaign account of U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat best known nationally as a member of "the Squad," a group that includes U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. Angie Nixon and Rashida Tlaib highlight progressive ties as Florida's Democratic Senate Primary fundraising battle takes shape. Tlaib's campaign gave $5,000 to Nixon's committee, one of the most significant donations in the committee's haul of over $98,000. Other notable names contributing include former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, former state Rep. Travaris McCurdy and former Duval County School Board member Betty Burney. Last month, Nixon entered a race that may become a battle for the Democratic nomination. Still, a General Election win against incumbent U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody would seem to be a tall task even if she gets the nomination. Nixon will be up against the state's Republican registration advantage, Moody's proven prowess in statewide races, and the nearly $4 million Moody has on hand as of her most recent campaign finance report. On the Democratic side, Alexander Vindman leads the fundraising race, raising $1.7 million on launch. The retired Army Lieutenant Colonel is best known as a whistleblower from President Donald Trump's first administration. Nixon seeks to stake out the left lane in the race, and Republicans seem eager to face her in a General Election. Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power said when she launched that "Nixon's radical agenda and toxic divisiveness are a gift to Republicans."

Life lesson   Senate lawmakers have again passed legislation to raise the minimum penalty for manslaughter in the death of a police officer to life in prison without parole. The measure (SB 156) passed on the Senate floor 31-4. However, some who voted for it reiterated concerns raised throughout the Committee process about the necessity of the changes and the adverse effects of shifting protections further from civilians to police in cases where street encounters turn violent. Protesters rally after the killing of Alex Pretti, citing concerns over police accountability and use of force. Several Senators referenced the recent Minneapolis killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, warning that the changes SB 156 would impose could further embolden bad actors in uniform. In fielding questions and arguments from his peers Thursday about the bill he sponsored, Sen. Tom Leek consistently returned to the central premise of his legislation: A police officer should not face forceful resistance when detaining or arresting someone, even if the person being arrested believes the interaction or force being used is unlawful. The proper place for that dispute, he said, is in a courtroom. Florida law now provides that it is illegal to use force or violence to resist arrest or detention by a police officer. But Leek and Jacksonville Republican Rep. Jessica Baker, who is carrying a House version of the bill (HB 17), have argued that statutory language cited today in jury instructions can sometimes lead to more lenient verdicts.

Almost home   Legislation to solidify St. Johns County as the site of a planned Florida Museum of Black History and codifying rules for its Board of Directors is now one vote from clearing the Legislature's upper chamber. The Senate Rules Committee voted unanimously to send the bill (SB 308) to the floor after hearing impassioned testimony from many who support the museum's establishment, but worry that politics and a desire to avoid discomfort will compromise historical accuracy. Leek, the measure's sponsor, tried to assuage those concerns, noting that the museum's Board and Subcommittees, not Tallahassee, will dictate exhibits and messaging. Legislation advancing the Florida Museum of Black History moves closer to final approval in St. Johns County. "I don't think the history of Florida can be told without also telling the history of Black Floridians," he said. "What this does is give the opportunity for that history to be told and the story to be completed." SB 308 and its House twin (HB 525) by Jacksonville Republican Rep. Kiyan Michael would codify a prior recommendation by the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force to select St. Johns County as the preferred site for a future museum. It would create a new section of Florida law establishing the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors tasked with overseeing the facility's planning, construction and operation. The Governor, Senate President and House Speaker would appoint Board members. Except for two Senators and two Representatives who would serve in ex officio capacities, members would not be able to hold any other elected office, whether voter-chosen or appointed. St. Johns County was the top-ranked site among three finalists for the museum chosen in April 2024, followed by Eatonville in Orange County and Opa-locka in Miami-Dade County. Last June, the Legislature earmarked $1 million for the planned project in St. Johns.

Three for the road   Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to put his stamp on the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Board, appointing three new members who ultimately will have to be confirmed by the Senate. Ron DeSantis appoints new members to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Board, further shaping the agency's leadership. The new members: Alan Hopkins, a Consultant at Hopkins Consulting Florida and the Chief Economic Strategist for Manchester Financial; Madelen Salter, Market President for Office Images and Chair of the JAXUSA Partnership Business Development Committee; and Jonathan "Daniel" Vallencourt, the vice president of Vallencourt Construction Company and the Owner of Clay Theatre Events. Additionally, Max Glober, the vice president of Marketing at First Coast Energy, LLP, is being re-appointed. DeSantis gets to pick four of the seven members of the Board. The other three are appointed by Jacksonville's Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.

Tax relief?   While it's uncertain what property tax relief will emerge from Tallahassee this year, legislation seeking to ensure homeowners aren't punished for wind mitigation is starting to move. The Senate Finance and Tax Committee is advancing Sen. Leek's bill (SB 434), which would remove the perverse incentive for Property Appraisers to enhance home value based on storm hardening. "Members, this bill comes to you because it was made known to me by a Property Appraiser that the very thing that we're asking our citizens to do, which is to harden their homes and become more resilient, is sometimes being penalized by increased property taxes. As a result of the increased value. This would end that practice," Leek said Wednesday. Tom Leek advances legislation to prevent higher property taxes for homeowners who invest in wind mitigation improvements. The bill would stop Property Appraisers from boosting a home's "just value" just because the homeowner adopted "changes or improvements made to improve the property's resistance to wind damage," which people often do to fortify their properties and lower their insurance costs. The following would be covered: strengthening roof decks; creating secondary barriers to block water intrusion; installing wind-resistant shingles, gable-end bracing, storm shutters, and opening protections; and reinforcing roof-to-wall connections. If passed, the bill would take effect in July and apply only to work after the beginning of 2027, meaning that, as currently written, modifications would still result in increased tax penalties through the end of next year.

Locals only   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. 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. Jacksonville Aviation Authority headquarters, as lawmakers advance bills reshaping airport oversight and local government authority. 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. The local bill faced opposition from the Jacksonville City Council when presented for approval. Some Council members said it threatened the consolidated government model and, ahead of voting, voted against recommending the charter change to the delegation. The controversy that most of the City Council couldn't abide with centered on whether DCSB could circumvent the independent authority of the city's General Counsel.

No rush   However, Duggan isn't getting everything he wants this week. Local legislators in Northeast Florida aren't in any rush to lend a helping hand to Republican lawmakers urging restoration of the Ocklawaha River. Sen. Jason Brodeur and Duggan are backing legislation (SB 1066, HB 981) requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a plan to restore the Ocklawaha River by Jan. 1, 2027, with the work to be done by the end of 2032. Wyman Duggan and Jason Brodeur push Ocklawaha River restoration as Northeast Florida lawmakers hesitate over timing and support. Duggan's bill cleared the State Affairs Committee Tuesday, a day after the Jacksonville City Council's Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee rejected by voice vote a push via 2026-74 to fast-track a letter of support for legislation that Duggan, a Jacksonville Republican who could run for Mayor in 2027, likens to Everglades restoration in its importance for the region. Council member Ron Salem started the ball rolling by noting that sponsor Jimmy Peluso wasn't in attendance to present the bill and explain why it was an emergency, and that he didn't know where the Duval County legislative delegation was on the bill, despite Duggan's sponsorship. "I wish the sponsor was here. I'm hesitant to vote for this unless I understand the position of our delegation on this bill. And I have not heard. I have been unable to determine the position of our local delegation on this," Salem said. Council member Chris Miller had his own qualms. "This effort was attempted last year, and I knew there were some concerns on the part of Gov. DeSantis, and this did not occur last year, and it's going through, or being considered, again, this year. And as of last week, I believe I saw that the Governor still does not support this effort. And so I'm not saying we should go one way or the other on this, but I agree, I would like to hear from the entire delegation before I would consider this," Miller said. DeSantis has vetoed efforts to move toward the removal of the Rodman Dam in two consecutive years. Removing the dam would allow the Ocklawaha River to connect to Silver Springs and the St. Johns River system, reactivating springs and the natural water flow, but it would come at the expense of fishing in the Rodman Reservoir.

Ramallah row   Democratic Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is under fire for speaking at the city's Ramallah American Club, which has been around for decades and has worked to preserve what the club calls "Palestinian heritage." Donna Deegan addresses criticism after speaking at the Ramallah American Club during a politically charged community event. Jeremy Redfern, a spokesperson for Attorney General James Uthmeier, highlighted Deegan's appearance at the event with a provocative description. "Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan spoke next to a Palestinian flag and behind a kaffiyeh commonly worn by and associated with Hamas terrorists," he posted to X. Uthmeier has zeroed in on various issues with the administration, including the city requiring people carrying guns into public buildings to sign in from 2023 until the middle of last year, a practice he has said is "unlawful." This is just the latest criticism from his office. Unlike previous critiques, the Mayor took this one personally. Deegan, a Jacksonville native of Lebanese descent who attended Bishop Kenny High School and whose cousin, Tommy Hazouri Sr., served as Mayor, responded by clarifying what the club was and shading Redfern for being unfamiliar with Jacksonville. "Anyone from Jacksonville knows the Ramallah Club is a Palestinian civic organization that was founded by Christians from Ramallah and that has been contributing to our city for more than a century," Deegan said. "I was proud to be joined on the dais by Council member Ron Salem, a longtime member of the club, and was pleased to see Congressman John Rutherford there as well to celebrate the club's impact on Saturday. It's disappointing to see partisan actors use people's rich heritage to divide our community." Salem joined the chorus of critics. "Last night at the Jacksonville Council meeting, my colleagues and I took a moment of silence and reflection for the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. This day serves as a reflection and a reminder of the victims and that horror must never again happen. I find it appalling that Mayor Deegan failed to recognize that yesterday, and I think she owes the Jacksonville Jewish community an apology." The Mayor's Office rejects Salem's framing. "Mayor Deegan has consistently demonstrated her commitment to standing with the Jewish community, and against bigotry and hatred in our city," a spokesperson said. "That is why she became the first Jacksonville Mayor to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month with a ceremony in the City Hall Atrium; why she spoke at the 1-year remembrance of Oct. 7 at the Jacksonville Jewish Center; why she has repeatedly called for all elected officials to speak out against rising antisemitism in Florida; why she was the first local leader to denounce hateful messaging projected onto EverBank Stadium; why she appeared as the keynote speaker at the Jewish Federation's screening of 'A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting' and why she will continue her commitment to make our city a place where all its residents feel safe and heard."

Jax's most impressive athlete?   The frigid conditions last weekend created additional challenges for runners in the Donna weekend events. Before Sunday's marathon, some incredible endurance athletes began the grueling 110-mile ultramarathon. For the fifth time, the event was won by Jacksonville's Marc Burget. Burget, 52, has a deep connection with the race. He first won the Donna marathon in 2016 as his wife, Christina, had been diagnosed with breast cancer a month earlier. Now, Christina is 10 years cancer-free, and Burget has built one of the most extraordinary endurance racing resumes you'll find. Marc Burget crosses the finish line after winning the Donna 110-mile ultramarathon despite freezing temperatures. Not that any 110-mile race is easy, but the weather made Burget's victory even harder-earned. "This to me was probably the toughest one of all of them," Burget said. "Even compared to the Keys 100 (a race he won in 2017) in 97-degree heat." Burget has developed a reputation for being nearly impervious to elevated temperatures, but the cold is another story. "I've never realized how bad the cold really affected me," Burget said. "At the Boston Marathon in 2015, I ran that in the cold and rain, and my hips completely locked up. That's pretty much what happened (Sunday) after the marathon." Burget's first day started out going to plan. Running with 2024 Donna 110 winner Charlie Poblenz, the first 40 miles or so felt good. Then the weather turned. When he finished the first day's leg, 84 miles, there were snow flurries, and the temperature felt like 9 degrees in the howling wind. After finishing the first 84 miles, he grabbed a burger and fries, soaked in a bath of Epsom salts, grabbed his massage gun for a session, and then got about six and a half hours of sleep. The next morning, the cold was still there. So was Burget. "My goal was to run a sub-three-hour marathon," Burget said. For the first 3 miles, he was on pace. Then, his legs started talking. "My heart rate was really low," Burget said. A good sign. "It was running at 130 (beats per minute), but I had just no energy. That was just zapped out of the legs completely. I knew it was going to be a battle." So, Burget slowed down and finished the marathon in 3 hours, 22 minutes, and 27 seconds, the slowest he has ever run the Donna marathon, but it was fast enough to win the Donna 110 by nearly a half-hour. "Obviously, with my wife, we have a tie to this race, but this year, there was even more," Burget said. "I felt even more love from the volunteers this year." Burget said he has another 100-mile race coming up later this month in Cape Canaveral, and he's looking ahead to the Miami 100 in September. "That's the one race that I didn't finish," Burget said. "I was throwing up for four straight hours and had to be pulled from the race. So, I need to get a little redemption on that."

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