Democratic Attorney General candidate José Javier Rodríguez is sharply criticizing Attorney General James Uthmeier’s investigations involving Jacksonville, arguing the state’s top legal officer has overstepped his authority and injected partisan politics into local government disputes.
During a Thursday appearance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect, Rodríguez accused Uthmeier of using the Attorney General’s office to pressure local officials rather than uphold the law.
“My opponent has been trying to apply power. So that’s what’s called bullying,” Rodríguez said. “He does not have the law to back him up in almost any circumstance where I’ve seen where he goes on social media and puts out some tough sounding letter.”
Rodríguez, a former state Representative, state Senator, and former U.S. Department of Labor official, is challenging Uthmeier in Florida’s 2026 Attorney General race.
Jacksonville Investigations Draw Criticism
At the center of the dispute are two high-profile controversies involving Jacksonville city government.
One involves a lawsuit filed by Uthmeier against the City of Jacksonville over records documenting firearm owners entering certain city buildings. The Attorney General argues the city maintained an illegal gun registry in violation of state law and is seeking a $5 million penalty.
Rodríguez contends the situation has already been reviewed by local authorities and does not justify the state’s intervention.
He pointed to findings from State Attorney Melissa Nelson, who concluded that Jacksonville officials did not intentionally violate the law.
According to Rodríguez, the issue stems from a recordkeeping mistake rather than a deliberate effort to create a firearms registry.
Questions Raised Over JEA Probe
Rodríguez also questioned Uthmeier’s investigation into JEA, Jacksonville’s publicly owned utility.
The Attorney General has sought records related to JEA’s decision to end its relationship with Ballard Partners, a prominent lobbying firm with deep ties to Florida Republican politics.
The firm’s roster includes former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and former Curry Chief of Staff Jordan Elsbury.
Rodríguez suggested the state’s involvement raises questions about whether the Attorney General’s office is acting in the public interest.
“From the outside, it looks like he’s doing that almost like on behalf of this lobbying firm,” Rodríguez said.
“It’s well connected in Tallahassee. That’s just what it looks like, but big question as to why the people of Florida are interested in this dispute.”
Home Rule vs. State Oversight
The disagreement highlights a broader philosophical divide that could become a defining issue in Florida’s Attorney General race.
Rodríguez argues local governments should have greater autonomy to manage their own affairs under Florida’s home-rule principles.
Uthmeier and other Republican leaders have frequently argued that state intervention is necessary when local governments violate state law or exceed their legal authority.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has also criticized several state inquiries into city operations, describing them as politically motivated attacks on Jacksonville’s consolidated government structure.
Race for Attorney General Taking Shape
The exchange offers one of the clearest previews yet of how Rodríguez plans to challenge Uthmeier during the 2026 campaign.
While Uthmeier has built a reputation among conservatives as an aggressive defender of DeSantis-era policies, Rodríguez is positioning himself as a candidate focused on limiting government overreach and protecting local decision-making.
The contest is expected to become one of Florida’s most closely watched statewide races next year.
Why It Matters
The dispute reflects a growing debate over the balance of power between Tallahassee and local governments. As Florida continues to centralize authority at the state level, voters will increasingly be asked to decide whether local officials or state leaders should have the final say on major policy and governance issues.
