A.G. Gancarski
Even before Florida Politics broke the news regarding Duval County Property Appraiser Jerry Holland running for Duval County Republican Party chairman, there apparently was a persistent whisper campaign about his move.
Now that the move is a matter of public record, some people still aren’t talking … at least, not on the record to Florida Politics. Robin Lumb, the man with the best vocabulary in Jacksonville politics, can’t find the words to address Holland’s bid for the chair. Karyn Morton, expected to run against Holland, has thus far demurred comment.
No one’s really talking on the record. But concerns are being voiced and memes are being dropped into the discourse.
One person, thoroughly familiar with the thinking of the Republican Executive Committee and the inner organizational workings, said that the donor class wanted “absolutely nothing to do with Holland,” who they think has an “axe to grind” and a “personal agenda.”
In contrast, the donor class is “willing to work with Morton,” who has a demonstrated commitment to grassroots activism.
Similarly, there are concerns whether Holland, as property appraiser (a position that precludes, at least in theory, partisan involvement) could be party chair. Holland did not run while supervisor of elections; the debate that REC members likely are to have will revolve around the substantive difference between one elected role and the other.
Holland obviously won’t be positioned to affect elections if he is REC chairman. Nonetheless, he is in a governmental role.
Local Democrats, not surprisingly, have their own concerns about a potential blurring of the lines.
One prominent Democrat said he’s not sure what Holland is thinking in making this play.
For one, he’s just starting his first term as property appraiser. Think this will be forgotten in 2019? The bet Holland would be making is that his tenure as party chairman would be overlooked.
For another, Holland’s whole reputation while supervisor of elections has been one of transcending partisanship. What becomes of that when he is shepherding the Duval GOP through the inevitable hot-button-issue discussions?
There is a school of thought that Holland wants to stay relevant in terms of the larger political discussion. The SOE gig and the property appraiser role both are, ideally at least, devoid of headlines (if comfortably upper middle class in compensation structure). Party chair? A different story.
Those are the headwinds Holland will be running into. He addressed those concerns Monday in an email exchange.
Regarding his current office, he notes that he “ran as a Republican.”
“I would always hope,” he said, that “the voters will support me for the job I accomplish.”
He’s engaged in conversations with the donor class, he said, although the ultimate proof of how those go will reveal itself in the next week.
Holland, in running for party chair, stresses that his main interest is getting the party through the 2016 elections.
“My term as chair would be over before the next local election,” Holland contended, saying that his “one goal in 2019” is “to be re-elected as Property Appraiser.”
A lot can change in the week between this writing and the Duval REC meeting on July 20. Outside the REC, there is general enthusiasm for Holland’s bid. The real intrigue, however, will be inside that room.
