A.G. Gancarski
HD 12 Republican Don Redman has been slow to fundraise thus far, a distant third in the race despite having filed more than a year ago.
That said, Thursday evening represents a potential change. Redman will hold a fundraiser at the Fraternal Order of Police building from 6:30 to 8:30.
Hosting the event: Scott Wilson, Redman’s former assistant when he was on Jacksonville’s City Council, who went on to take Redman’s place when he was term limited out in 2015.
The Host Committee, meanwhile, skeins hard right.
Former Jacksonville Council President Ginger Soud, who agitated against HRO expansion this year, and former Duval GOP Chair Rick Hartley are two members of the Host Committee. Also on board: former State Senator Steve Wise and former State Representative Jim Fuller.
The HD 12 race is as up for grabs as any. The leading fundraiser, Richard Clark, hasn’t actively raised money for months, with many saying that his lobbying for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority poses a conflict of interest issue. Terrance Freeman, new to the race, appears to be the establishment choice; Clay Yarborough, a former City Councilman, has shown strong fundraising from small donors in his first few months in the race.
And then, of course, there’s Mark Black, who presents an alternative to those in the field who have political experience.
