A.G. Gancarski
The crowded field of Duval GOP chair candidates may get more crowded soon, as term-limited Representative Lake Ray has been “looking at running over the course of the last several weeks” and is “likely to step into this thing.”
Rep. Ray sees his candidacy as a “chance to build unity in the party.” and he is rhetorically positioning himself as the unity candidate.
“I have great respect for all of them,” Ray said about the field, which includes Acting Chairwoman Karyn Morton Property Appraiser Jerry Holland, and former Councilman Jack Webb.
Morton is a “fine lady and a hard worker,” Ray said on Sunday evening, and “I have a lot of respect for her.”
“She knows I’m looking at it,” Ray added.
Ray was equally complimentary of Holland.
“Jerry and I are friends,” he said, “going back to our days on the Jacksonville City Council. He’s a very attractive candidate,” Ray said, though pointing out “concerns that some might have raised” regarding holding a position of a constitutional officer and a party loyalist.
“Neither of us likely will run against each other,” Ray said.
Webb, meanwhile, was described as a “hard worker” and an “admirable gentleman.”
Ray will be at the Republican Executive Committee meeting on Monday evening, where he intends to “get the lay of the land” ahead of his potential run.
He will have plenty of company.
With three candidates in the race now, and Rep. Ray looking at it, the schisms in the local GOP are coming to the fore. It will be interesting to see if and when a consensus candidate emerges.
The REC meeting on Monday night will be a barnburner. Expect heavy politicking for the chair, an election for Committeeman, and election for secretary, as well as a visit from Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera.
