A.G. Gancarski
Speculation is swirling among the plugged-in types in Jacksonville’s City Hall.
Former Jacksonville City Councilman Richard Clark, they say, might be dropping out of the District 12 race against fellow former councilman Don Redman.
They might look at his August fundraising, which is at zero again for a fourth straight month, and say that Clark isn’t running.
Not so fast.
Clark took a break from fundraising because he was running for a significant job at JEA, says someone well-connected to his campaign effort.
That job went to Mike Hightower. Now Clark is prepared to rededicate himself to the task at hand.
Clark still has $48,500 in the bank, which is a decent stake for that race … especially since his sole competition is not finding significant fundraising.
Redman just cleared the $8,000 barrier, on the strength of a $1,050 August.
One thousand dollars of that came from J.B. Coxwell Contracting, which instantly becomes his most significant contributor.
The real question, of course, is one of whether or not the field is finalized. There is serious talk that former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford, who was linked to the race months back, may end up in it after all.
Folks close to Clark say that he’s not worried and welcomes the challenge.
If this binary contest becomes a three-way dance, the political mailings will be something to watch.
