John Delaney decides against congressional run in CD 4
AG Gancarski interviews former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney. (File photo)

John Delaney

Former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney will not run to replace Rep. Ander Crenshaw.

This means a significant barrier to the potential candidacy of former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford in CD 4 is out of the way.

Delaney arrived at the decision after talking to his wife Wednesday night, a conversation that happened after he flew back to Jacksonville from California.

“I am not running,” Delaney said.

“Since I was a junior high student, I planned on running for Congress at some point. I was close to being appointed to the Senate several years ago,” Delaney added, “but that did not come to pass.”

Delaney was contacted by over 190 people, a testament to the deep esteem people in Jacksonville have for the two-term Mayor and current University of North Florida President.

“It was clear from the contacts today that I would have plenty of money,” Delaney said, “and the short window of time points to a name recognition race.”

“I have one or two more elections in me,” Delaney added, “but not for Washington. I just don’t want to leave Florida. I plan on honoring my UNF contract.”

Delaney, the avatar of moderate Republicanism, would have been a return to the tradition of Tillie Fowler. However, in 2016, it just isn’t meant to be.

Tune in to WJCT at 9 a.m., when Melissa Ross will host a discussion of the post-Crenshaw era in CD 4. Guests include Matthew Corrigan and A.G. Gancarski.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. He writes for the New York Post and National Review also, with previous work in the American Conservative and Washington Times and a 15+ year run as a columnist in Folio Weekly. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski



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