The race to replace Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is heating up as the Aug. 18 primary quickly approaches with several candidates eyeing the governor's mansion. Seventeen names will appear on primary ballots for governor, making the selection process as potentially confusing for voters as it is competitive for the contenders. On the GOP side, the saturated candidate pool includes the state’s current lieutenant governor, Jay Collins; former House Speaker Paul Renner; political newcomer James Fishback; Trump-endorsed congressman Byron Donalds; and many others. Former Republican congressman David Jolly is the current frontrunner to win the Democratic nomination. As part of our continuing election coverage, we sit down with Donalds, the GOP frontrunner, to ask why he should be the Sunshine State’s next chief executive. We also take your calls and questions. Join the conversation on air by calling 904-549-2937 or email comments or questions to firstcoastconnect@wjct.org or go to firstcoastconnect.org.
First Coast Connect will cover a range of local races and election-related topics between now and Nov. 3. You can find detailed information about upcoming elections, including information about candidates and ballot initiatives in your specific district, at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters website Vote411.org.
Guest: Congressman Byron Donalds, Republican candidate for Florida governor
Cats gone viral
The internet's most entertaining felines head to the big screen. CatVideoFest is an annual production featuring a compilation of viral cat videos from around the world. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Springfield Kitty Cat Shack Rescue, a volunteer-led nonprofit that rescues feral and sick cats too old for traditional shelters. The event takes place Aug. 9 at WJCT Studios with screenings at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Guests:
- Summer Crabtree, event coordinator, Springfield Kitty Cat Shack Rescue
- Kellyn Kelemen, board member, Springfield Kitty Cat Shack Rescue
- Circe LeNoble, director of grant management and community events at WJCT Public Media
Artistic blueprint
A third generation photographer sets the camera aside to produce art from one of the earliest camera-less, photographic printing processes called cyanotype. Kim Hurt, a Jacksonville-based artist with Texas roots, brings a unique intersection of traditional techniques with modern vision to her pieces. Hurts has recently joined the Southlight Collaborative and invites viewers to her new exhibition combining local botanical diversity and purity, with a desire for connection. The exhibition will be featured at the upcoming ArtWalk at Southlight Gallery from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Guest: Kim Hurt, artist, curator and art consultant
Topics and guests subject to change.