Last-minute push helps Mike Williams win Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office runoff

Ken-Jefferson---Mike-Willia-jpg

In the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office runoff, it may have been interesting, and at times there was suspense, but Mike Williams began the evening with the lead, and never really left.

Williams, a Republican who recieved a number of high-profile endorsements in the race, overtook Democrat Ken Jefferson early on to win 52 to 48 percent, according to the Duval County Supervisor of Elections website. Williams now replaces term-limited Sheriff John Rutherford.

For his part, Rutherford may be retiring, but not dropping out of sight. He announced Tuesday that he will run to replace Ron DeSantis in Congress, as the Jacksonville Republican takes a shot a Marco Rubio’s U.S. Senate seat.

In 2011, Jefferson took 38 percent of the vote against Rutherford, who at the time was running for his third term.

On Election Day, Florida Politics reported on a barrage of robocalls supporting Williams, leading Jefferson to take Facebook to complain about the negative messaging in the race.

Williams is a 23-year veteran of the department, and was director of patrol. He also received the endorsement of both Rutherford and Jacksonville’s business community. Williams previously worked as director of Investigations and Homeland Security.

Jefferson, who has never held elected office or a major administrative posts, boasted successes in drug education and community engagement, maintaining he has the administrative skills for the job.

“It’s always been a question and I’m ready for it,” he told The Florida Times-Union in March.

Phil Ammann

Phil Ammann is a Tampa Bay-area journalist, editor and writer. With more than three decades of writing, editing, reporting and management experience, Phil produced content for both print and online, in addition to founding several specialty websites, including HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government, entertainment reviews, marketing and an advice column. Phil has served as editor and production manager for Extensive Enterprises Media since 2013 and lives in Tampa with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul. He can be reached on Twitter @PhilAmmann or at [email protected].



#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, William March, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Jesse Scheckner, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704