A Democrat in a heavily Republican district takes on a well-financed incumbent. If it sounds familiar, it’s because she’s lived this before. Democratic candidate Rachel Grage, now challenging District 5 Republican congressman John Rutherford, previously mounted a campaign for the Beaches-area House district seat held by Republican state Rep. Kiyan Michael. In both cases, Grage has expressed determination not to let incumbency amount to a free pass to reelection. We ask Grage about taking on uphill battles and what change she believes is needed in the Jacksonville-to-St. Augustine district.

First Coast Connect will be covering 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. The deadline to register to vote in or change your party affiliation ahead of the August primaries is July 20.

Guest: Rachel Grage, Democratic candidate for Florida's 5th Congressional District

New Northside murals

A recent bike tour of the city’s Northside showcased a handful of new murals adorning everything from community centers to beloved barbecues. The event was an effort to promote the area’s cultural infrastructure, which advocates note has traditionally gotten less focus and funding than similar projects elsewhere. We sit down with the founder and CEO of Northside Pride of Jacksonville, which organized the ride, as well as two local muralists whose works in Sherwood and Moncrief celebrate the area’s colorful and culturally impactful past and present.

Guest:

• David Nickashi, artist and muralist behind The Cookout mural at Charles Boobie Clark Center

• Vic Alexander, visual artist and creator of the Jack Holley Legend Mural at Holly’s Bar-B-Q on Moncrief Road

• Dana Maule, founder, Northside Pride of Jacksonville

Rethreaded @ 15

Rethreaded, the Jacksonville program for survivors of sex trafficking, began as a startup, founded and funded at the OneSpark crowdfunding festival held for several years in Downtown Jacksonville. The nonprofit hits a significant milestone this year, celebrating 15 years of existence. In honor of its quinceañera, Rethreaded is hosting a community party from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The event is at the Delores Barr Weaver Campus of Hope in Springfield and is free, though donations and purchases are doubled during the party up to $30,000. We talk to the group’s founder about the group’s evolution and the lives it has changed in that time.

Guest: Kristen Keen, founder and CEO, Rethreaded