A.G. Gancarski
Right now, first-time candidate Leslie Jean-Bart is running unopposed as a Democrat in HD 14, even though rumors are flying that certain veteran Democrats are eyeing the race to succeed Mia Jones.
The candidate’s fundraising has been modest thus far.
A $250 July raised her total to $13,686.
The vast majority of her contributions thus far have come from attorneys and law firms, with few of them giving maximum amounts. This opens the door to more donations from the same sources going forward, should they be needed.
What is missing from her tallies: money from the Duval County political establishment.
This may signal opportunity for candidates who are currently out of office, such as former Jacksonville City Councilwoman Kim Daniels, the iconoclastic Democrat who drew contributions from many of Jacksonville’s more conservative power brokers on her way to a May re-election campaign loss. As well, former Councilwoman Denise Lee and current Councilman Reggie Brown are names that have surfaced in speculation as possible candidates.
Whatever happens, it would be a surprise if Jean-Bart doesn’t have company in the HD 14 race.
