A.G. Gancarski
The Jacksonville sheriff’s race has seen robust fundraising for many candidates, with three Republicans raising at least $250K before the runoff. Conventional wisdom is that two of those Republicans, Mike Williams and Jimmy Holderfield, are jousting for one runoff slot. Ironically, given their fundraising prowess, the race may pivot on an “overzealous” Holderfield supporter being arrested for stealing signs Wednesday.
As multiple sources report, 22-year-old Virgil Green was caught on camera stealing Williams signs as part of what he called a “sign war” between the two campaigns.
“Sometimes you don’t use clear judgment and you just really mess up,” Green said in a telephone interview with the Times-Union‘s Jim Schoettler Wednesday morning. “The Jimmy Holderfield campaign had nothing to do with me disposing of the signs. That was my own stupidity.”
The Holderfield campaign gave WJXT a statement Wednesday. “We are disappointed to hear of an incident involving a young, overzealous supporter who demonstrated extremely poor judgment by removing an opponent’s campaign sign. While we appreciate all our supporters, there is absolutely no excuse for such wrongful conduct.”
Holderfield has apologized to Williams, but it is certain the incident will add intrigue to the debate between the seven Sheriff hopefuls during the debate tonight — also, like Wednesday night’s mayoral derby — on WJXT. As the sheriff candidate forums have progressed this campaign season, Williams and Holderfield have gone after each other with a certain relish, knowing that the runoff against Democrat Ken Jefferson (who was ahead in the UNF poll a few weeks back) will eliminate one of the two Republicans.
Beyond the sign imbroglio, issues to be discussed at the forum should be familiar to those following the race: likely crime reduction, reorganization of the Sheriff’s office, the candidates’ desire to increase civil citations for youthful offenders, and other key issues.
There are seven sheriff candidates. In addition to Jefferson, Holderfield, and Williams, the crowded field includes one more Democrat, reform-minded Tony Cummings, as well as Republicans Rob Schoonover, Jay Farhat, and Lonnie McDonald. All four of these candidates polled in single digits in the UNF poll, though there is anecdotal evidence that Farhat has a bit more support than the poll reflects.
