"If you are feeling exhausted, that is understandable. But it is also the point of the endless bad-faith lunacy spewed by the fringes of the Republican Party. They want to drain our emotional energy by engaging in performative cruelty and vacuous stunts. Ignore them and focus on the good people in your life who are fighting by your side to preserve democracy."
Robert Hubbell
January 6 Hearings Resume Tuesday
The Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the Capitol will resume its hearings July 12 at 10 a.m. Florida Congresswoman and committee member Stephanie Murphy and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin will lead Tuesday's hearing on former President Trump's efforts to recruit extremist groups to DC on January 6th. An additional hearing is expected during prime time on Thursday focusing on what happened inside the White House during the Capitol attack. Much anticipated: Will there be any new revelations from recent behind-closed-doors testimony by former White House Chief Counsel Pat Cipollone?
Primary Election? For Some Key Races August 23 Will Decide Outcome
The fast-approaching August 23 Primary Election has something for everyone - non-partisan races for school board, including District 2 representing the Beaches, a school tax referendum, a special countywide election for sheriff, and state legislative & Congressional seats with single-party candidates. Sample ballots and poll location information is now available on the Duval Supervisor of Elections website (My Voter Status). Key races on the ballot:
School Board District 2 - Incumbent and former chair Elizabeth Andersen faces a DeSantis- and Moms for Liberty-endorsed opponent. All voters can vote in this election, which will be decided on August 23. Find out about the candidates and the referendum on a 1-mill property tax increase for schools at the July 19 BAM Virtual Forum (RSVP here).
Special Election for Sheriff - Democrats Lakesha Burton, Wayne Clark, Tony Cummings, and Ken Jefferson along with GOP candidate T.K. Waters are vying to fill a vacancy created by the sudden retirement of Sheriff Mike Williams. All voters can vote in this race. If no candidate gets a majority on August 23, the top two finishers move on to the November 8 General Election. Meet the Democratic candidates for sheriff at the July 19th Joint meeting of the Beaches Democratic Club & Democratic Women's Information Network (RSVP here).
State Legislative Races - At least six local legislative races will effectively be decided in the August 23 primary election due to the lack of party opposition, including FL House District 16 which includes the Beaches. Black Voices for Trump leader Kiyan Michael, former state Rep. Lake Ray and Jacksonville Beach City Councilman Chet Stokes face off in the GOP primary on August 23. No Democrats are running. Because of write-in candidates, the race will appear on the November 8 General Election ballot where DEMS & NPAs can choose between the Republican nominee or a write-in candidate.
FL Congressional District 5 - Incumbent John Rutherford faces two even farther-right opponents in this race. No Democrats are on the ballot and no write-in candidates have qualified so all voters can choose among these three dreadful candidates. Assuming one of them garners 51% of the votes, this race will be decided August 23.
Need help deciding which candidates to support with money, time, or YOUR VOTE? Check out recent endorsements by Jacksonville NOW PAC, the Jacksonville Young Democrats, and Florida Rising.
And while we are talking about voting, take a minute to check your voting status. The SOE just completed its lastest purge of voters and we hear some progressive super voters were included. In a state that just created an elections police force, we need to be vigilant about any and all voter suppression efforts. A reminder about important primary deadlines:
July 25 - deadline for registering to vote
August 13 - deadline for requesting a Vote-by-Mail ballot
August 8 - August 21 - Early voting
Angie Nixon Meet & Greet July 14 Atlantic Beach
For those of us living in a GOP-dominated legislative district, it is critical that we support
candidates in other areas of Jacksonville that will provide a strong voice in Tallahassee opposing the right's agenda. As a first-term state representative, Angie Nixon provided that voice for sane gun control, affordable housing, fair redistricting and much more. She raised the ire of GOP leadership who would like nothing more than to see her defeated. Come meet her, get a firsthand view of the challenges we face in the next session, and learn about her priorities as she runs for another term. The Meet & Greet is at 7 pm Thursday, July 14 at Adele Grage. RSVP here.
Climate Change: Jacksonville Makes 10 Worst List
Jacksonville and three other Florida cities have the dubious distinction of making Policy Genius' list of the top ten metropolitan areas in the U.S. most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The group analyzed data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other studies across six key factors to determine which metro areas were the best and worst for climate change. While there are things we can do personally to try and mitigate global warming (Note #6!), there is also action we can take to counter the recent Supreme Court decision gutting the regulatory authority of the EPA. Here, courtesy of Jessica Craven of Chop Wood, Carry Water, are ACTIONS the Administration can take now. If you feel strongly about climate change, email EPA Administrator Michael Regan and urge him to:
Act quickly to set & finalize new rules to limit greenhouse gas emissions using EPA’s remaining authority. Sections 111b and 111d of the Clean Air Act clearly allow EPA to regulate pollution from new and existing power plants, one of the largest sources of carbon pollution.
Update the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone and small particulate matter.
Develop new Clean Air Act standards to accelerate a nationwide transition to 100% zero-emission cars and trucks.
Develop new Clean Air Act standards to reduce hazardous pollutants, like nitrogen oxide (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), from building appliances.
Join us for BAM Virtual Forum: School Board District 2 Candidates & Tax Referendum
BAM will host a virtual forum on Tuesday, July 19 at 7 p.m. with School Board District 2 Candidates Elizabeth Andersen and April Carney (invited). Rachel Tutwiler Fortune, president of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, will also join us to discuss the proposed 1-mill property tax increase for schools. RSVP here for ZOOM link and additional information.
Got a Retort? We Want to Hear it!
Are you seeing red? This billboard spotted on the state line demands a response! Got one? Email it to us at beachesactivistmovement.com and we will use it in social media posts. We need a snappy comeback for why newcomers should VOTE BLUE!
Get Involved This Week!
Right now - Sign a candidate petition for Josh Hicks! Let's help him get on the ballot for the 2023 Jax City Council election. He's got yard signs too. Click here to get one.
Tuesday, July 12 - Thursday, July 14 - Indivisible 2022 Virtual Convention. Meet activists across the country to learn & discuss how our collective efforts can win the midterms and create for change. Open to all. Attend as much or as little as you like. Schedule & registration here.
Wednesday, July 13 - The State of Beaches Policing. Join Beaches Watch as they host Atlantic Beach Police Chief Vic Gualillo, Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith, and Neptune Beach Commander Michael Key for their annual update on community safety. 7 pm at Beaches Branch Library, 600 Third Street, Neptune Beach. Questions can be submitted in advance via email (info@beacheswatch.com) no later than July 11.
Interesting Reads
Val Demings is on a Mission - July/August issue of Vanity Fair.
A new poll suggests SCOTUS abortion decision will drive Democratic voters to the polls in the midterms.
The Dobbs Wildcard - Florida Phoenix, July 8, 2022.