Jacksonville mayoral candidates debate tonight on television

The Florida Times-Union, First Coast News, and WJCT Public Broadcasting will host the first televised Jacksonville mayoral debate, which will take place at WJCT Studios  7 to 8 p.m. today. The debate involves the three major mayoral candidates: incumbent Democratic Mayor Alvin Brown, City Councilman Bill Bishop, and former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry, who received the official endorsement of the Duval County Republican Executive Committee in January.

A fourth candidate, Omega Allen, did not reach the 5% polling threshold for inclusion. At a press conference Wednesday outside WJCT studios, Allen called her exclusion some “2015 segregational, class kind of action,” Allen said to a small group of supporters. “ … I am a candidate and I want to be treated fairly.”

Bishop and Curry have both indicated they support having her in the debate.

In an open letter, Curry wrote that “Omega Allen is a legally qualified candidate for Mayor of Jacksonville. She participated in the Times-Union editorial board’s interview process, she has been active on the campaign trail, and (…) she is a legitimate candidate who has earned her place on stage as we discuss this campaign for the city’s future.”

In an email to this reporter, Bishop wrote: “I have no problem with her being in the debate.  It is in the hands of the debate organizers.”

Brown’s campaign made no comment on Allen’s exclusion.

The questions are expected to touch on the hot button topics of the day, including port dredging, the Police and Fire Pension Plan, and the records of all three candidates involved.

The debate will have a distinctly Florida Politics feel. Our own Melissa Ross will  moderate the debate, which will include panelists from the sponsoring organizations. Additionally, I will be live tweeting the debate for First Coast News and offering a recap post on this site after the telecast’s conclusion.

The event will be simulcast on WJCT Channel 7, WJXX Channel 25, and on 89.9 FM in Jacksonville.

Each campaign will be having debate watch parties that start at 6:30 p.m. Brown’s will be at the Voodoo Ultra Lounge at Jacksonville Landing. Bishop‘s will be at the Three Layers Cafe in Springfield, while Curry supporters will congregate at the Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk.