Melissa Ross
Embattled North Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown has evidently decided she’s all in for re-election, despite losing her redistricting challenge and dealing with a House ethics investigation.
“I am very disappointed in the Federal court’s decision earlier this week,” said Brown in a statement.
“Although I still maintain that the new congressional districts will be severely disadvantageous to minorities throughout the state of Florida, I intend to declare my candidacy for the newly drawn Congressional District Five of Florida. With respect to the redistricting lawsuit, I am still mulling my options, and am reviewing the ruling with Rep. John Conyers (the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee), as well as with Attorney William Sheppard and his legal team in Jacksonville,” said Brown.
Brown’s decision to run again for the seat she’s held since 1992 should impact the next moves of other Jacksonville politicians eyeing the newly redrawn CD 5 seat, namely Mia Jones, Audrey Gibson, Tony Hill and former Jacksonville mayor Alvin Brown. All were awaiting her decision before formally entering the race.
Jones tells Florida Politics that Brown’s announcement will take her out of the running for the seat. “I have always said I would consider it if Congresswoman Brown opted not to run again,” said Jones. “Since she is, I will not run.”
Still awaiting statements meanwhile, from Gibson and Hill, although they had indicated a similar inclination with regard to the seat. A spokesman for Alvin Brown was also noncommittal, saying that the former mayor is currently focused on his fellowship at Georgetown University.
As for Corrine Brown: “I have a lot of unfinished business to address in Washington, and I look forward to providing a strong voice in Congress for the citizens in the new 5th Congressional District.”
