โGreat economic boom for our cityโ: Boeing debuts new facilities set to bring 300+ jobs to Jacksonville
Elected officials and community leaders on Friday are set to cut the ribbon and tour the new 385,000-square-foot complex housing Boeingโs state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for military aircraft.
2 area representatives voted to expel embattled Rep. George Santos, 3 others wanted him to stay in office
In a historic moment, the House voted on Friday to expel Republican Rep. George Santos of New York after a critical ethics report on his conduct that accused him of converting campaign donations for his own use. He was just the sixth member in the chamberโs history to be ousted by colleagues.
Floridaโs 5th Congressional District
U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, who has served three terms in District 4, chose to run in District 5 this year and defeated two Republican opponents in the August primary. Since no Democrats or other candidates qualified to run in the district this year, the former Jacksonville sheriff will return to Congress for two more years.
Ethics office finds โsubstantial reason to believeโ Congressmen Rutherford, Fallon violated STOCK Act
The House Office of Congressional Ethics found โsubstantial reason to believeโ Congressman John Rutherford, R-Florida, and Congressman Pat Fallon, R-Texas, failed to disclose stock trades in a timely manner and violated House ethics rules, multiple news outlets reported, citing documents released Tuesday.
Congressmen continue to push to turn Jacksonvilleโs POW/MIA tribute into national memorial
A bill to establish a national prisoner of war and missing in action memorial and museum in Jacksonville was just reintroduced by U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (R-Jacksonville) and Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) reintroduced a bill that would designate a POW/MIA memorial and museum at Cecil Field to honor all former prisoners of war and those still considered missing in action.
Florida lawmakers reintroduce bill to fund right whale restoration efforts
U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (R-Jacksonville) and Stephanie Murphy (D-Orlando) introduced the Scientific Assistance for Very Endangered (SAVE) Right Whales Act that would invest $5 million annually in grants that states, nonprofits and members of the fishing and marine shipping industries can use to fund research and efforts that restore the North Atlantic right whale population.
Bipartisan support among Florida leaders swells for Cuban protesters
Florida political leaders expressed bipartisan support for Cubans after thousands of the islandโs citizens took to the streets this weekend to protest against the nationโs government amid economic turmoil and lack of access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
Tropical Storm Elsa; Freedom to Fly Act & Essential Caregivers Act; Caregivers for Compromise founder
On this edition of โThis Week in Jacksonville,โ we discuss the response to and impact from Tropical Storm Elsa, with state Sen. Audrey Gibson and U.S. Rep. John Rutherford. We also look ahead to 2022, talking with Gibson about her endorsement of Democrat U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in the race for Florida governor. Rutherford gives us an update from Washington, D.C., talking about the Freedom to Fly Act and the Essential Caregivers Act. And we talk with Mary Daniel, a local advocate for senior care and the founder of Caregivers for Compromise. Her husband, who has Alzheimerโs, resides at a memory care facility, and she couldnโt see him during the first months of the pandemic. Hear how her experiences during that time led her to take action and push for change.
Rutherford pushes to have parts of Northeast Florida named as National Heritage Area
Former Jacksonville Sheriff and Congressman John Rutherford (R-FL) testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands in support of H.R. 2107, the Nationโs Oldest Port National Heritage Area Act, which was reintroduced by Rutherford earlier this year.
Sheriff: 12 men looking for teen sex arrested
A sting called Operation Guardian set up by the Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office and other agencies to lure men looking for sex with juveniles netted 12 arrests, and more are expected, Sheriff John Rutherford announced Friday morning. Law enforcement personnel from Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Clay and St. Johns County, Gainesville, Daytona Beach and other agencies set up fake social media accounts and posted messages as if they were minors and waited for men to contact them.
Rutherford: Vote to impeach Trump โonly further divides usโ
In a statement he shared with News4Jax following Wednesdayโs vote, he reaffirmed his stance, but spoke about โextremistsโ from both major political parties. The statement reads:โDangerous political rhetoric from extremists on the left and the right divides our nation and threatens the safety of our friends and neighbors. Last week, our Capitol was raided by anarchists and supporters of President Trump. A vote to impeach the president without proper due process and with only seven days left in office only further divides us. Since then, they have been pushing their divisive impeachment narrative and already put the country through one impeachment.
Aerial banner calls for Rutherfordโs resignation
An aerial banner that flew over Jacksonville on Tuesday called for U.S. Rep. John Rutherford to resign. Five deaths resulted from the violence, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died of injuries suffered in the fray. pic.twitter.com/87v1BmsRUT โ Rep. John Rutherford (@RepRutherfordFL) January 1, 2021โObjecting to state electors is not undemocratic,โ Rutherford tweeted Jan. 4. The remarks rang hollow to the group behind Tuesdayโs banner, who believe the best way for Rutherford to honor Officer Sicknick is to step down. โ Rep. John Rutherford (@RepRutherfordFL) January 9, 2021โIn choosing party over country, Congressman Rutherford played a very real part in the events that led to Officer Sicknickโs death,โ the group said.
Pelosi puts onus on Pence to start impeachment process
Pelosi put out a letter to Congressional Democrats saying if Pence doesnโt heed her timeline, the House will move forward with impeachment. โNext, we will proceed with bringing impeachment legislation to the Floor,โ the letter stated. Representative James Clyburn says the country must reject Trump after the siege of the U.S. Capitol that many blame him for inciting. Passing in the upper House would be difficult because two thirds of senators would have to approve an impeachment, meaning numerous Republicans would have to approve. There is also talk of censuring Trump, which would be a step short of impeachment.
Invasion of halls of Congress; impeachment talks; former adviser to President Trump on Capitol breach
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney of Jacksonville Universityโs Public Policy Institute, Florida Sen. Audrey Gibson, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford and News4Jax anchor Tom Wills join this edition of โThis Week in Jacksonvilleโ as they discuss the invasion of the halls of Congress, objections to Electoral College votes and whether impeachment should be attempted. In addition, former advisor to President Donald Trump, Omarosa Manigault Newman, provides her perspective on the breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Which Florida, Georgia lawmakers voted to overturn Bidenโs electors?
Lawmakers were resolved to complete their constitutional duty despite frayed nerves, high tensions and the nationโs capital on alert. The only other challenge was to the Pennsylvania electors, but that was also debated and denied. Florida Sen. Rick Scott was one of only eight in the nation who voted to sustain one or both objections. Floridaโs senior senator, Marco Rubio, voted with the majority to accept the Electoral College vote and called on Trump to do more to help restore order. In the House, 12 Florida congressmen and six from Georgia voted to object to either the Arizona or Pennsylvania slate of Biden electors.
Protesters call for resignation of John Rutherford after Capitol chaos
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A group of protestors gathered outside the Jacksonville office of Representative John Rutherford on Thursday afternoon calling for his resignation. Some protesters were holding signs calling Rutherford a โtraitor.โโIn every way, he is acting like an enemy of the people. MORE | Local lawmakers who objected to Electoral College certification denounce Washington violenceOn Wednesday night, after the chaos in Washington D.C., Rutherford spoke with News4Jax about the impending Electoral College count. On Twitter, Rutherford condemned the violence at the Capitol and on Thursday he acknowledged President-elect Joe Bidenโs win. News4Jax reached out to Rutherford asking for a comment on the demonstration but havenโt heard back yet.
Local lawmakers who objected to Electoral College certification denounce Washington violence
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Local lawmakers who objected to the Electoral College certification process denounced the violent protesters that swarmed the Capitol on Wednesday in protest of President-elect Joe Biden. U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, the former sheriff of Jacksonville, came out strongly against the actions of protesters supporting President Donald Trump. โPlease pray for our law enforcement and for peace,โ Cammack tweeted. Pray for our law enforcement as they secure the area and keep us safe. As pro-Trump protests raged in Washington, about 50 protesters also took to the state Capitol grounds in Tallahassee.
Historical Impact Celebration honors detective in high-profile racial killing
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A former Jacksonville police detective who investigated a high-profile racially motivated killing in 1964 was recognized Wednesday in a virtual Historical Impact Celebration. Sheriff Mike Williams, Mayor Lenny Curry and U.S. Rep. John Rutherford shared kind words for the veteran and former detective, who investigated the murder of Johnnie Mae Chappell. RELATED: 2014 - 50 years later, racial killing haunts familyIn a dark time for the River City, Chappell was gunned down on March 23, 1964, because of the color of her skin. We lived in a racist city and a racist town run by racist people,โ Cody said. The overview says, โtwo police detectives solved one of our nationโs worst hate crimes and paid for it with their careers.โ
Florida voters appear split on whether to repeal Affordable Care Act
And they (the Affordable Care Act) helped me. Some patients at UF Health said they rely on the Affordable Care Act. One woman, who asked not to be named, said the Affordable Care Act really helps those on the poverty line. He wants a new health care program and says the current Affordable Care Act needs to go. President-elect Joe Biden was in the Obama Administration when the Affordable Care Act first came was created.
Biden takes Duval, 1st time in decades county goes blue in presidential election
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ For the first time in decades, Duval County turned blue in a presidential election. The last time a Democratic candidate took Duval in a presidential election was President Jimmy Carter. With 100% of the precincts in Duval reporting, Biden took Duval with 250,942 votes. Among Duval County voters, Rutherford got 57.49% of the vote compared to Democratic challenger Donna Deegan, who received 42.40% of the vote. Itโs also worth noting that during the gubernatorial race in 2018, Andrew Gillum carried Duval County with more than 51% of the votes cast.
President Trump wins Florida, collects 29 electoral votes
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ President Donald Trump has won Floridaโs 29 electoral votes, defeating Democrat Joe Biden in a prized battleground state crucial to the Republicanโs bid for another four years in the White House. In the end, Trump prevailed with the help of a loyal base, particularly in the stateโs rural reaches. Both campaigns made Florida a priority in the waning weeks of an election year thrown off-kilter by the pandemic. It remains to be seen how the social unrest after high-profile police killings of Black people might have influenced the race. Biden did win Duval County this year -- the first time a Democrat had won the county since Jimmy Carter swept the south in 1976.
John Rutherford wins another term in Congress
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Incumbent U.S. Rep. John Rutherford is the projected winner of Floridaโs 4th Congressional District race. The former sheriff of Duval County won 61% of the vote over former TV anchor Donna Deeganโs 39% to seal the Republicanโs third term in Congress. Florida 4th District: Donna Deegan vs. John Rutherford District includes Nassau and most of Duval and St. Johns counties. When Rutherford was first elected to Congress in 2016, he received 70% of the vote. Still #grateful pic.twitter.com/4g10E01xtM โ Donna Deegan (@DonnaDeegan) November 4, 2020Rutherford said heโs looking forward to going back to Washington, D.C., and helping Americans get back to work.
Trump wins Florida; voters raise minimum wage to $15
โ District 3: Republican Kat Cammack has won Floridaโs U.S. House seat held by her former boss, retiring Florida Republican Rep. Ted Yoho. He defeated Democrat Donna Deegan, a former television news anchor who has worked to raise money for breast cancer research and to help patients. โ District 15: Republican Scott Franklin has won Florida Rep. Ross Spanoโs seat in the U.S. House. Deutch was first elected in 2010 and represents a firmly Democratic district that includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties. A supermajority of Florida voters approved the amendment to the Florida Constitution that will raise Floridaโs minimum wage from the current $8.56 an hour to $15 an hour by 2026.
Duval County judge resigns from vote-counting board after yard sign, donations controversy
Senior County Judge Brent Shore resigned from the Duval County Canvassing Board on Thursday, News4Jax confirmed. Judicial rules bar judges from political donations of any kind, and canvassing board rules bar members from displaying a candidateโs campaign signs. And I would expect that from my fellow members of the canvassing board,โ Boylan said. The canvassing board has been at the center of a recent controversy that has captured statewide attention. News4Jax called the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission to ask if a complaint has been filed against Judge Shore.
Deegan makes late pitch to Jacksonville voters in race against Rutherford
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Donna Deegan, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and other Democrats held a rally Thursday to urge voters to head to the polls early. Deegan, who in a recent poll was trailing U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla. in the 4th Congressional District race, made a late pitch to voters on the fourth day of early voting in Florida. โIt was clear after the debate the other night, that there are very big differences between myself and my opponent,โ Deegan told News4Jax. As of Thursday afternoon, there have been nearly 90,000 registered Democrats in Duval County who have voted either by mail or at early voting sites. According to a UNF poll from earlier this month, 57% of registered voters asked indicated they would vote for Rutherford, and 38% said they would vote for Deegan.
Local Republicans urge early in-person voting
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Republican leaders and candidates from Northeast Florida urged voters to visit early voting sites and cast their ballots as early voting began Monday. โYou want to be first in line, and you can do that now because election day actually starts today.โBlack said early voting sites are safe and hygienic. There were crowds waiting when early voting sites opened Monday across Jacksonville and across Florida. Hogan said masks are encouraged but not required at voting precincts, and heโs taken extra steps to ensure voting sites are thoroughly cleaned. The Republicans who spoke Monday encouraged in-person voting for Duval County residents on the first day of early voting but made no mention of mail-in voting.
Whoโs right? Checking claims from the Donna Deegan, John Rutherford debate
Both promise coverage for pre-existing conditions. One which would amend the HIPAA law to make sure that pre-existing conditions are always covered. The other bill ... is actually a bill that should the ACA be struck down by the Supreme Court, that it would require that pre-existing conditions still be covered,โ Rutherford said. It explodes costs and it puts a ceiling on what insurance companies are willing to pay," Deegan shot back. The rest are White,โ Rutherford said.
REPLAY: Rutherford & Deegan square off in only televised debate
REPLAY: Rutherford & Deegan square off in only televised debatePublished: October 14, 2020, 9:45 pmWatch U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., and Donna Deegan square off in Jacksonville for the only televised debate in the 4th Congressional District race. Wednesdayโs debate, hosted by News4JAX in partnership with Jacksonville Universityโs Public Policy Institute, will be moderated by Kent Justice.
Rutherford & Deegan square off in only televised debate
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., and Democratic challenger Donna Deegan squared off Wednesday evening in the only televised debate in the 4th Congressional District race. During the debate, Deegan and Rutherford both touched on the coronavirus pandemic, health care, the economy and social justice. The individual income tax cuts expire in 2025. Deegan said she would support that plan, while Rutherford said absolutely not. People simply want racial justice.โWatch: Rutherford & Deegan ask each other a questionTo learn more about the candidates, visit News4Jaxโs Voterโs Guide.
Rutherford, Deegan debate health care, social justice and Supreme Court
News4Jax, in partnership with Jacksonville Universityโs Public Policy Institute, hosted the debate, which was moderated by Kent Justice. During the debate, Deegan and Rutherford both touched on the coronavirus pandemic, health care, the economy and social justice. It is anything but affordable.โSupreme CourtThe debate comes on the same week as Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrettโs confirmation hearings. The individual income tax cuts expire in 2025. People simply want racial justice.โWatch: Rutherford & Deegan ask each other a questionTo learn more about the candidates, visit News4Jaxโs Voterโs Guide.
News4Jax hosting only televised debate between Rutherford & Deegan
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ News4Jax, in partnership with Jacksonville Universityโs Public Policy Institute, will host the only televised debate between U.S. Rep. John Rutherford and challenger Donna Deegan in the 4th Congressional District race, which covers Nassau and parts of Duval and St. Johns counties. Weโve compiled biographies and questionnaire responses for both Rutherford and Deegan as part of our Voterโs Guide โ check it out. Weโll carry the debate live on Channel 4 and it will be streamed live on News4Jax.com. News4Jax Political Anchor Kent Justice is the moderator for this debate. The candidates may have the chance to ask each other questions during this hour-long debate.
Floridaโs 4th Congressional District
Democrat Donna Deegan and Republican John Rutherford (WJXT)News4Jaxโs 4th Congressional District debate: WATCH | RECAP | TRUST INDEXScroll down to read each candidateโs responses to News4Jaxโs questionnaire, presented verbatim as submitted.,Donna DeeganParty affiliation: DemocratAge: 59Candidateโs family: Tim Deegan, husband. I also believe people deserve to feel safe when they go to work or school or church. The large majority of Americans of all parties (93 percent in a Fox News poll) believe we need universal background checks. I love to talk with people, listen to their ideas and struggles face to face. I miss those face to face meeting we have had with hundreds of constituents and the โwork alongsโ with scores of businesses.
Kat Cammack wins 10-candidate primary for Congress; Rutherford, Lawson survive challenges
Cammackโs 25% of the vote propels her into the general election to face Democrat Adam Christensen, who narrowly prevailed in his three-way primary. โI am so honored to have earned the trust and support of the voters,โ Cammack said in a statement Tuesday night. He will face Republican Gary Adler, who won that primary, in November. In District 6, which includes southern St. Johns and all of Flagler and Volusia counties, Clint Curtis narrowly won a Democratic primary. He will face incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Daytona, who drew no primary opponent.
Gov. DeSantis suspends Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. โ A day after Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels surrendered to law enforcement to face criminal charges stemming from a sex scandal investigation, Gov. He is prohibited from receiving any pay or allowance and from any privileges of public office during the suspension. RELATED: Making sense of the charges against Clay County Sheriff Darryl DanielsThe Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed an internal investigation last year into a corrections officer, Cierra Smith, who had been Danielsโ mistress while he was her supervisor. News4Jax on Friday spoke with Rep. John Rutherford, R-Florida, a former Jacksonville sheriff who worked with Daniels during his time at the Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office. King noted in his letter: โI do not know Sheriff Daniels, his politics, his opponents, nor for that matter any citizen in Clay County.
JTA will use $11.9M federal grant to buy 8 new cleaner energy buses
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will use an $11.9 million grant from the federal government to take eight diesel buses out of service and replace them with eight compressed natural gas buses. Replacing them with cleaner CNG powered buses is part of the JTAโs mission of sustainability. JTA spokesman David Cawton said all buses purchased by JTA since 2015 have been CNG buses. The eight new CNG buses will make a total of 96 CNG buses in JTAโs fleet of 220 buses total. Four other projects in Florida also received funds from the bus and bus facilities grant program:
4 day Red Snapper season announced for South Atlantic
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Rep John Rutherford tweeted that NOAA announced a four day red snapper fishing season for 2020 for the South Atlantic, which includes Georgia and Florida. Today, @NOAA announced there will be a four day Recreational Red Snapper season in the South Atlantic on July 10th, 11th, 12th, and 17th. This four day season will benefit our fishing industry which has been hit especially hard during the coronavirus pandemic. He points out that the four day season will help the hard hit fishing industry which has suffered during the coronavirus pandemic. Rutherford followed his initial tweet with a promise to push for more days to fish for red snapper in the future.
Donna Deegan to challenge U.S. Rep. John Rutherford in 2020
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Former television news anchor and breast cancer awareness advocate Donna Deegan is expected on Thursday to announce plans to challenge John Rutherford for his seat as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 4th congressional district. Speculation that Deegan, a registered Democrat, would try her hand in politics is nothing new. Deegan told Florida Politics she had been "encouraged to run" for the seat that covers Nassau, St. Johns, and parts of Duval County. In 2008, Deegan created 26.2 with DONNA, The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, dedicated to breast cancer research and care. The race is a signature event of The DONNA Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance and support to families living with breast cancer and funds ground breaking breast cancer research, according to her website.
Efforts to house F-35 jets in Jacksonville taking flight
The Blue Angels were the highlight of an air show, but so were the F-35s specifically because there's a push to get these jets to Jacksonville permanently. It was in 2017 when Jacksonville lost its bid to start housing the jets with the 125th Fighter Wing up by the airport. U.S. Air Force Capt. In 2017, when Jacksonville lost its first bid to house F-35's, the Air Force selected bases in Wisconsin and Alabama instead. There is no word yet from the Air Force on which base it will next select for the F-35s.
Florida congressmen share common ground on impeachment inquiry
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - For only the fourth time in U.S. history, the House of Representatives has started a presidential impeachment inquiry. The impeachment inquiry into Trump is passionately partisan, and after speaking with members of the House of Representatives in Northeast Florida, that remains the case. News4Jax found a place Republican Rep. John Rutherford, Republican Rep. Michael Waltz and Democratic Rep. Al Lawson all agree. Impeachment," Lawson said. Republicans tell News4Jax they're upset they haven't had a single chance to vote in the House about the impeachment inquiry.
Rutherford & Waltz back bill to preserve Northeast Florida's heritage
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Northeast Floridas historic coastline is the target of a bill introduced by Florida congressmen. U.S. Reps. John Rutherford and Michael Waltz announced Monday theyre backing legislation that would designate parts of Duval, Flagler, Nassau and St. Johns counties as a National Heritage Area. The bill, known as the Nations Oldest Port National Heritage Area Act, would recognize the region for its historical value. That funding would offset the costs absorbed by the museum during the heritage areas creation. A 2012 study showed the Alliance of National Heritage Areas contributed nearly $13 billion annually to Americas economy and supported almost 148,000 jobs.
Northeast Florida coastline could benefit from bill, state congressmen say
The Nation's Oldest Port National Heritage Area Act could mean millions of dollars to the area from Nassau County to Flagler County. Congressmen John Rutherford and Michael Waltz announced the bill... Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.
Rutherford, Lawson push to recognize POW/MIA memorial/museum nationally
Rendering of Cecil Field POW/MIA Memorial. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - U.S. Reps. John Rutherford, R-Jacksonville, and Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, chose National POW/MIA Recognition Day to introduce legislation that would designate a POW/MIA Memorial and Museum envisioned for Cecil Field as the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum to honor all former prisoners of war and those still missing in action. This bill would designate the existing POW/MIA Memorial and Museum at Cecil Field as the national memorial and museum. Hoff was also instrumental in developing the universal symbol known as the POW/MIA flag. I am proud to introduce this bill with my friend Rep. Lawson to designate the POW/MIA Memorial and Museum at Cecil Field as the national memorial.