JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – From assassination attempts on President-elect Donald Trump to a battle over Florida constitutional amendments and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan being asked to resign after her comments on immigration policy, we are taking a look back at just a few of the most important and most-read stories on News4JAX.com as the year comes to a close.
Here are eight of the biggest political stories we covered in 2024, in no particular order:
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Trump assassination attempt at Pennsylvania rally
Trump was the target of an assassination attempt on July 13 during one of his rallies in Pennsylvania. The FBI named Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania as the shooter.
Another assassination attempt at Trump’s Florida golf club
Just nine weeks after Trump survived an attempt on his life, the FBI said he was the target of another attempted assassination at his golf club in West Palm Beach. U.S. Secret Service agents stationed a few holes up from where Trump was playing noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course, roughly 400 yards away.
Sheriff Waters: ‘Marijuana smoke is the most offensive smell to me ever’
Sheriff T.K. Waters came out strongly against Amendment 3, which would have legalized marijuana in the state, during a town hall meeting in August.
“I don’t want drugs legal in our city. I don’t want drugs legal in our state. I don’t want drugs legal in our country. It’s not good for us. It’s not good for our community,” Waters said.
The amendment was a hotly contested ballot initiative that sparked millions of dollars in spending on both sides.
Ultimately, Amendment 3 failed to garner enough votes to pass in the November election, a surprise to many.
18-year-old confronts Harris supporters with machete in Neptune Beach
An 18-year-old man was accused of aggravated assault after the Neptune Beach Police Department said he “brandished a machete” to intimidate Vice President Kamala Harris’ supporters.
Police said a group drove up, parked their vehicle and started antagonizing early voters to protest the opposing political group, and then the situation escalated to a verbal disturbance.
According to police, Caleb Williams aggressively brandished a machete toward two women, ages 71 and 54 years old.
The women called the police, and no one was harmed.
Trump spokeswoman calls for Mayor Deegan to resign ‘in disgrace’ after her comments on his immigration policy
A spokeswoman for Trump called for Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan to resign “in disgrace” after the mayor made controversial comments about Trump’s proposed immigration policy, saying his plan amounts to a “concentration camp type situation.” She later said she regretted her choice of words but stood by her criticism.
VP Kamala Harris visited Jacksonville for campaign event and blamed Trump for Florida’s 6-week abortion ban
Vice President Harris campaigned in Jacksonville on May 1 to speak out against Florida’s 6-week abortion ban that went into effect the same day. It was a big story in Florida and a national issue that played out in Harris' failed bid for the White House.
Amendment 4, a Florida initiative that would’ve essentially restored the guidelines of Roe v. Wade, was also a big political story this year, but it failed in November.
Trump names Jacksonville political operative Susie Wiles as chief of staff
Susie Wiles, who has strong ties to Jacksonville, was named Chief of Staff in Trump’s new administration in November.
She is widely credited within and outside Trump’s inner circle for running what was, by far, his most disciplined and well-executed campaign. Dispite her big role, she has largely avoided the spotlight and even refused to take the mic to speak as Trump celebrated his victory after the election.
DeSantis' failed bid for president
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis raised his national profile during the Coronavirus pandemic and tried to use the recognition to catapult himself into becoming the next President of the United States.
Despite raising millions in campaign money, DeSantis performed poorly in the primaries and in January, he dropped out of the race and paved the way for Trump to recapture the White House.