Ryan Ray
Gretna City Commissioner Clarence Jackson announced Thursday via a theatrical campaign ad that he’s jumping into a now four-way race for an open seat in House District 8.
The all-Democratic field seeks to succeed term-limited Rep. Alan Williams in HD 8, which takes in all of Gadsden County – the state’s only majority-minority county – and the southern half of Tallahassee, including the state Capitol.
“Life has prepared me for this moment,” Jackson says in the ad, which portrays a faux press gaggle outside the Historic Capitol building.
“I know to live paycheck to paycheck. I know what it’s like to want a job, but can’t find a job. I know what it’s like to try to raise children in poverty-stricken neighborhoods.
“Politics may be tough, but when you’ve had to fight through some difficult times in your own life, it prepares you to take on the challenges that people just like you are facing every day.”
Jackson also cites his executive experience as former mayor of Gretna, a Gadsden city of about 2,000. The city has a rolling mayoral system whereby commissioners take turns in the executive role.
Local nonprofit owner and Democratic operative Ramon Alexander is the front runner by a good distance. Unlike Jackson, Alexander is well-known in the Tallahassee half of the district. Alexander has also raised $78,568, by far the most of any candidate so far and slightly more than Williams had on hand when he first sought the seat in 2008.
State employee Dianne Williams-Cox — who took 32 percent of the vote against Williams in a testy primary this past August — and former aide to the Tallahassee mayor’s office Brad Johnson is also vying for the Democratic nomination.
HD 8 is one of the most liberal districts in the state. President Barack Obama took 77 percent of the vote there against Republican Mitt Romney in his 2012 re-election.
The outgoing Williams has said he will remain neutral in the race to replace him.
“I’m excited we have a competitive field,” said Williams, who has built an image as an accessible and energetic presence in District 8.
“I hope whoever is elected will continue our work to champion state workers, our universities and community colleges as well as K-12 education, while being good stewards to our pristine environment that we treasure in North Florida.”
