A.G. Gancarski
The Alvin Brown campaign sent a statement to us this evening on the “endorsement” email that came from the Bill Bishop for Mayor email account this afternoon, two hours before it was retracted. The email account was controlled by Rob and Jill Storey.
The RLS Group, which was managing Bishop’s campaign through the First Election, recently moved over to the Brown campaign in a paid consultant role, under contract with the Florida Democratic Party.
The Brown campaign sees the Curry team’s response, which included charges that the Storeys violated election law, as an example of “divisive, partisan politics” from “Party boss Lenny Curry.”
Yianni Varonis, Alvin Brown for Mayor spokesman, stated that “Party boss Lenny Curry clearly can’t handle that Bill Bishop’s team and his supporters have chosen to endorse Alvin Brown for mayor. Lenny would be better served focusing on creating a plan to help Jacksonville’s citizens. Instead, he is once again playing divisive, partisan politics by attacking Bill Bishop.”
“To be clear, the Brown campaign has neither violated campaign finance law, nor is the campaign being accused of doing so. This issue is about another campaign and Lenny Curry’s unwillingness to focus on the issues that Jacksonville families care about,” Varonis added.
The Curry campaign responded to these claims.
“The reaction of Alvin Brown’s campaign team makes it clear that they like to change the subject. But facts are facts. Paid operatives, bought and paid for by the Florida Democratic Party, and working for the Alvin Brown campaign, violated election law,” said Brian Hughes. “It’s a shame that Councilman Bishop’s name was dragged into these illegal tactics.”
