Jax Bold for 7.15.26 — Stacking endorsements

From: Extensive Media Enterprises Jacksonville’s Michael Kirwan continues to stack endorsements ahead of the Aug. 18 Democratic Primary in Florida’s 4th Congressional District. This week, Sheet Metal Workers Local 435 announced its support of Kirwan, a fourth-generation Jacksonville native who once chaired the Jacksonville Ethics Commission. Michael Kirwan is adding endorsements ahead of the CD 4 Primary. “Michael Kirwan is the best candidate for the job because he understands the issues facing working families and has put forward a clear plan to support union workers,” said Lance Fouts of SMART Local 435. “Our members believe this race calls for a new approach and a candidate who can build support, listen to working people, and fight for good-paying jobs in Washington.” Kirwan says he’s “proud to have the support of SMART Local 435 and the hardworking men and women they represent” and promises to fight for the rights of workers should he be elected to Congress in November. “Organized labor has always been at the center of the fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, strong benefits, and dignity on the job. In Congress, I will be a partner to working people and will fight for policies that strengthen unions, expand apprenticeship opportunities, and make sure Northeast Florida workers are not left behind.” Tweet, tweet:

Davis Bullish   During a press availability Monday, incoming Senate caucus leader Tracie Davis said “people are more fired up than ever to be part of breaking the Republican super-majority in the Senate” after a “disappointing” 2024, speaking in her role of leading candidate efforts for her potential future colleagues. Tracie Davis says this year will be different for Senate Democrats. “For too long, Floridians may have felt like they didn't know how to, that they didn't have a real choice when they cast their ballot. That's why we've made the strategic investments and the on ground organizing needed to show them that they are Democrats ready to be their voice in these fights,” Davis said. “This year is different. Very different. And we put in place the programs needed to capitalize and break these supermajorities once and for all. So Floridians know this: If you want fighters on your behalf in Tallahassee, if you're tired of the chaos and the corruption, if you're sick of feeling like those with money and power are getting special treatment from your state government, the alternatives are here. And they're called Democrats. We're ready to fight, and we're going to win.”

Chamber picks   The Florida Chamber of Commerce likes Chase Brannan in House District 10 and Terrance Freeman in HD 12. “To secure Florida's future, we must continue to elect leaders dedicated to enhancing our global competitiveness, furthering economic opportunity, and protecting what makes Florida, Florida,” said Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson. Terrance Freeman is the Chamber's pick in HD 12. Brannan, the son of incumbent Chuck Brannan, faces a Primary in August in the district that includes Baker County and other North Florida areas. The winner of that will face a General Election battle with a Democrat and write-in candidate. More on that below. Freeman, a former President of the Jacksonville City Council, has already secured the nomination and will have a Democratic opponent this fall. “We believe these candidates possess the leadership needed to continue Florida’s economic momentum and execute our blueprint to build a top 10 global economy and deliver the more than 785,000 new jobs needed by 2030,” Wilson said.

Primary money   The primaries in HD 10, 13 and 14 continue to develop, with the first more competitive than the latter two in terms of fundraising. HD 10: The aforementioned Chase Brannan has pulled ahead in the fundraising race for the State House District 10 GOP Primary, reporting $178,000 raised through June 26. His opponent, Marshall Rawson, trails with $124,000 collected so far. Much of Brannan’s financial edge comes from more than 60 contributions tied to political committees, with support from homebuilders, real estate groups, medical associations and the Florida Police Benevolent Association. He also picked up $1,000 checks from the committees of state Rep. Danny Alvarez and Sen. Tom Leek, as well as from the law firm Carlton Fields. Chase Brannan is leading the money race in the HD 10 Republican Primary. Rawson, a citrus farmer and Florida Guardsman from Bradford County, is relying more on individual donors. Among them is former Jacksonville state Rep. Jay Fant, who contributed $1,000. Rawson also accepted $1,000 from a St. Petersburg-based committee with ties to the candidate committees of U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos and state Reps. Judson Sapp and Kim Kendall. The rural District covers Baker, Columbia, Union, Bradford and northern Alachua counties. With Rep. Brannan winning re-election in 2024 with 74% of the vote, the August GOP Primary is likely to decide who holds the seat. Whoever emerges from the GOP Primary will face Democrat Merrillee Jipson in November. So far, Jipson has reported raising $7,500. HD 13: In the two weeks ending July 10, attorney Leslie Jean-Bart raised $7,479, which is her best fundraising period since entering the race to succeed Rep. Angie Nixon. Of that, $4,000 came from Vanessa George of Lake City, and real estate and bail bonds businesses associated with her. Jean-Bart raised more than $13,000 as of the closing date and had nearly $8,000 on hand on the report. Former Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson continues to lead the fundraising race though, with more than $18,000 raised through June 26. HD 14: Incumbent Kim Daniels appears to face little competition from challenger Rhian Tutson. Daniels has more than $60,000 on hand while Tutson has less than $150 to spend. Since no one but Democrats qualified, this will be an open Primary.

Mayor's moolah   Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan's re-election campaign continues to amass resources while waiting for a serious opponent. For the week ending July 3, Deegan's Duval for All political committee brought in $231,000 from 29 contributions, in the latest sign that she will enjoy the same kind of broad-based support her predecessors have had when running for a second term. Big donors during the week included Ponte Vedra's Lauren Baker ($25,000), Coral Gables' Barbara Steifel ($25,000), and Curry Pajcic ($24,000). Jumbo Shrimp owner Ken Babby and Jacksonville University President Tim Cost also donated. Donna Deegan's committee is reporting big gains with no major opponent in sight. The committee has raised more than $2.4 million since it was formed in 2024, less than a year after Deegan flipped the Mayor's Office Democratic. Nearly $2.2 million of that remains as of July 3. Deegan has also raised nearly $190,000 in hard money, and has roughly $174,000 on hand. While eight challengers are currently filed, none of them are anywhere close to matching Deegan's fundraising. Republican Ronald Armstrong leads the pack, but the political newcomer has raised less than $40,000 and has a little more than $7,000 on hand. There's still plenty of time for the narrative to change. Qualifying is in January. The first election, which pits all qualified candidates against each other, is two months later. If no candidate has majority support, the top two finishers square off on the May ballot.

Executive decisions   During a radio hit Tuesday, Deegan also spoke on the city’s budget, on issues with the aviation board, and on the prospect of data centers. Regarding her proposed budget, which will be released Monday, Deegan said she plans increased spending on police, fire, and infrastructure, and that she opposes Council putting budget items below the line just in case the state property tax amendment that would increase homestead exemptions to $250,000 passes. Donna Deegan opposes putting budget items below the line in anticipation of Amendment 3. She also advocates “relationship massaging” between city government and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, amid an ongoing dispute about the JAA’s funding reserves being higher than City Council wants, and the development of the former military base at Cecil Field into a spaceport. Meanwhile, she says she is not inclined to support data centers coming to Jacksonville currently, given questions about how they would affect the community at large.

Peluso power   Democrat Jimmy Peluso currently represents Jacksonville City Council District 7, and the Deegan ally says he is heartened by his Q2 fundraising that puts him in the lead of a crowded race in At Large District 4. The Government Affairs Manager at VyStar Credit Union and Lt. Commander in the Navy Reserve has raised more than $140,000 since launching. Jimmy Peluso is leading the crowded race for At Large 4. More than $52,000 was raised in the three months ending June 30. Congressional candidate Kirwan and former Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver are among the most recent contributors. Republican Matt McCullough also crossed the six-figure threshold as of the end of last month, though his fundraising cooled off compared to the first quarter of the year. While he raised more than $86,000 between Jan. 1 and March 31, he raised just over $15,000 in the second quarter. Another Republican, Andrew McCann, has raised a little more than $33,000. But less than $5,000 of that came in during the latest quarter.

Great Scott   Jacksonville City Council District 4 voters will get to choose between two former Presidents next year. Republican Scott Wilson, who retired from the city last week after a stint as a Council liaison for Mayor Deegan, is challenging incumbent Kevin Carrico. Scott Wilson is challenging Kevin Carrico in the District 4 race. Carrico’s year atop Council was beset with challenges, including a clumsy attempt to get his boss at the Boys and Girls Club installed on the JEA Board and having to replace his Finance Chair Raul Arias after it was revealed two companies connected with Arias were vendors for the former President’s installation. Wilson represented the district from 2015 to 2020. Democrat Robert Todd Jeffers is also running. He has raised less than $1,000.

Shouldn't have said it   Judge Eric Roberson of Duval County acknowledges that he said some things on the bench that he wished he hadn't, but implores the Judicial Qualifications Commission to consider those statements as outliers against his larger record. The Rick Scott appointee says through counsel "that while his conduct is not that of which he most proud, that he regrets how his conduct has potentially affected the confidence the public should expect of judicial officers, and particularly how his conduct has potentially affected the view that the public should have of his judicial colleagues, who he holds in high regard and affection, that his conduct has nonetheless not disqualified him from holding judicial office." Eric Roberson is asking the JQC to treat certain comments as outliers against his overall record. In the case of Zoe Wood v. Tatyana Ussin, Roberson agrees that he said the following to the respondent. “This is scary, there’s something seriously off with you … and it’s a shock that there haven’t been criminal charges for this. Part of me wants to ban you from ever coming back to our state, and keep your issues up in Virginia.” In the case of Taheshanoel Knight v. Matthew Kepp (Duval County Case No.: 25 DR 2386), the JQC says “Roberson found that the Petitioner failed to show evidence supporting her allegation of the Respondent stalking her” and “made the following comments to the Petitioner” alleging mental health issues and spotlighting Knight’s “unique name.” “You can’t keep coming and filing these against people where you’re the one doing what’s very troubling behavior. And having delusions that you can’t prove at all, of someone around, you’re building a record to where ultimately, we’re going to stop you from filing in the court system.” Roberson acknowledges the "demeaning" comments. In the case of Sylverter Greene v. Erika Greene-Raines, the JQC says Roberson called the petitioner an “entitled little snot.” “God bless you for not beating the tar out of her,” the transcript reads. “You are a terrible human being, and I can look you in the eye and tell you that. And I’m a judge, so that’s a legal judgment, you are a terrible human being.” Roberson is further alleged to have made “comments … remarking on the Respondent’s lack of violence and encouraging additional violence between the Parties.” In his response, he acknowledged the accuracy of the quotes but denied he was advocating violence. He also argues "the incidents described in the Notice of Formal Charges are not indicative of his conduct in the overwhelming majority of the matters over which he has presided."

Switching parties?   If you are looking to change parties ahead of the Aug. 18 Primary, or just register for the first time, you need to get into gear. Monday is the deadline. Voter registration is available at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 105 E. Monroe St., Jacksonville, FL 32202; at any Jacksonville Public Library; or online at duvalelections.gov.

Jake's jammin'   The leader of a group promoting growth in downtown Jacksonville will be stepping away from the job. Jake Gordon, CEO of Downtown Vision Inc., announced he’ll be leaving the organization Sept. 30. Downtown Vision is charged with increasing residential and business development in the First Coast city’s urban core. “It has been a privilege to lead this organization through such a dynamic period of growth for Downtown Jacksonville,” Gordon said. “I am proud of all of our accomplishments. Now is the right time to allow for new leadership." Jake Gordon will be leaving Downtown Vision on Sept. 30. A Downtown Vision news release said Gordon voluntarily chose to leave the job but did not say what he'll do next. The affable Gordon has held the CEO post for 11 years and has been the cheerleader of many projects including increased businesses in the center of the city. But his push for more residential development in the city’s downtown area has delivered thousands more residents. The city published its 2025 State of Downtown Report this year and noted not only a significant surge in business development in downtown, but a huge uptick in residents who live in the core. Gordon himself said about 10 years ago he had a target of reaching 10,000 residents who live downtown at a time when there was an estimated 5,000 people who lived in the center of the city. The State of Downtown report stated there are now about 9,200 residents who live in the urban core, a 20.5% increase from 2024 and about a 97% increase since 2016. While Gordon will continue his leadership role through the end of September, the nonprofit Downtown Vision announced the organization’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Eric Miller will fill in as Interim CEO until a permanent replacement is named. Miller’s temporary post has already been approved by the Downtown Vision Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Jammin' June   June produced an upbeat market for the First Coast housing scene. The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) released home sales figures that show there were 2,100 closed home deals last month. That’s a 1.7% increase in the year-over-year comparison when there were 2,065 closings in June 2025. It’s also a 3.3% uptick over May’s figure of 2,033. The median sales price also brought an increase for the six-county region in Northeast Florida. That figure came in at $420,000, an 8% jump from June 2025 when the price was $389,000 and a 2.4% increase over May’s price tag of $410,000. June brought strong year-over-year home value increases. Meanwhile, active inventory figures were mixed. There were 7,216 homes on the market last month, an 11.7% drop from June 2026 when the figure was 8,176. But June’s inventory was up over May’s home count of 6,643, an 8.6% increase. Across the First Coast, there was inconsistency among counties with Duval County, home to Jacksonville, posting 988 closings, which is an increase of 3.5% over May. But the median home sales price dipped by 3.2% to $350,000. St. Johns County, one of Florida’s fastest growing counties, had 610 home sales in June, a 1.8% increase over May. But the median sales price dropped to $579,000, a 0.2% slip from the previous month. Nassau County was also mixed with 114 closed sales, an 8.1% fall from May. The median sales price, though, saw an upward shift coming in at $504,500 which is a 7.1% hike from May. Clay County registered 317 homes that were sold in June, a 3.6% jump from May. Home prices also increased in Clay with an increase of the median cost to $368,140, which is a 2.3% monthly uptick.

Cool, cool water   St. Johns County has completed a long-planned infrastructure project to improve water treatment. County officials say they’ve finished a $1.62 million improvement at the Plantation Water Treatment Plant. The project is designed to increase reliability of the drinking water system in the Ponte Vedra Beach area. The Plantation Water Treatment Plant has received a $1.62M upgrade. “One of our top priorities is maintaining reliable service for our customers while proactively replacing aging infrastructure before failures occur,” said Alan Flood, Senior Engineer for the St. Johns County Utility Department. “Completing this project while keeping the plant operational demonstrates the dedication of our staff and project partners.” The work replaced a previous metal structure at the plant that was more than 40 years old. St. Johns County acquired the facility about 20 years ago. An inspection by the county two years ago found the facility was “in an advanced state of deterioration and beyond rehabilitation,” according to a news release. A new aluminum aerator was added to the plant which prevents hydrogen sulfide corrosion. Workers were able to complete the upgrades without interrupting water service.

Jaguars’ training camp questions: offense   The Jacksonville Jaguars open training camp this month with rookies reporting on July 25, veterans on July 28 and the first official day of practice scheduled for July 29. The Jaguars are coming off a playoff appearance in Liam Coen’s first year as head coach. The franchise has not made the postseason in back-to-back years since 1999. Here are the big questions heading into Liam Coen's second season coaching the Jags. Here are the top five offensive questions facing the Jaguars as they begin preparations for the 2026 season: —Can Brian Thomas Jr. recapture his rookie season form? The former first-round pick caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie. But injuries and poor play in his sophomore campaign cut those numbers nearly in half. In 2025, Thomas caught 48 passes for 707 yards and only two touchdowns, while missing three games due to injury. If Thomas can return to being a threat to stretch the field in the passing game, the Jaguars could be a very dangerous team. Since Thomas’ rookie season, the wide receiver room has been overhauled. The Jaguars traded for Jakobi Meyers last season, and Parker Washington has emerged as a rising star. Washington had more catches, yards and touchdowns last season than Thomas. —What will the running back rotation be? Gone is Travis Etienne, who signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints. Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen are back for their second seasons, and the Jaguars added Chris Rodriguez as a free agent from the Washington Commanders. Rodriguez is working his way back from an injury but should be a part of the running game. He played for Coen in college at Kentucky, so he knows what the head coach is looking for. —Will the pass protection improve? Last season, Trevor Lawrence was sacked a career-high 41 times. When everyone is healthy, the Jaguars figure to start Cole Van Lanen, Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari and Anton Harrison on the offensive line. Van Lanen is coming off an ACL injury, Cleveland fought ankle and knee issues in 2025, Hainsey fought through a hamstring issue that cost him a game last season, Mekari left the playoff game with a back injury, and Harrison missed a game with knee and ankle injuries. While the offensive line is a highly physical position, making injuries regular occurrences, the Jaguars cannot afford to have injuries impact pass protection for Lawrence. The offensive line must play better, and one way to do that is to remain healthy. —How will Travis Hunter be used on offense? Last season, Hunter was penciled in to be primarily a wide receiver and used in some opportunities as a cornerback. This year, the plan has flipped. Hunter, when healthy, will be a cornerback first. But how much will he play—and how will he be used—on offense? Hunter can get deep and has also shown an ability to make contested catches. If he finishes with two or three catches per game, it’s likely that some of them will be game changers. —Can last year’s rookies make a bigger impact in year two? While Hunter missed 10 games last season, he wasn’t the only 2025 draft pick who failed to make an impact. Defensive back Caleb Ransaw and offensive lineman Wyatt Milum, both third-round picks, failed to make a splash. Ransaw was placed on Injured Reserve in the preseason and never played. Milum appeared in 10 games, mostly on special teams. Linebacker Jack Kiser will likely be called upon to play more in 2026 after the departure of Devin Lloyd from the linebacker corps. So far, the players brought in by general manager James Gladstone have not made an impact on the team. If any of last year or this year’s rookies or Rodriguez, the only significant free agent signee, can become regular contributors, the Jaguars’ future will look much brighter.

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