Controversial Angela Corey campaign manager says he’s resigned

Rumors of a shakeup at the top of the troubled re-election campaign for State Attorney Angela Corey this week permeated Jacksonville’s political circle.

The rumors, it turns out, had some truth.

Campaign manager Alexander Pantinakis, who controversially filed the paperwork for a write-in opponent Kenny Leigh in Tallahassee, “resigned a few days ago,” he told FloridaPolitics.com.

Still on board: Matt Justice, the political consultant who is apparently best friends with Leigh, who (word has it) arranged for Leigh to stand in as a write-in to close the primary to only Republicans.

Bottom line: Pantinakis dropped off the paperwork — and ended up off the campaign.

Corey, when asked to comment, wasn’t particularly forthcoming.

“If and when there’s any announcement about my campaign,” the incumbent said, “you’ll be on my list of announcements.”

Corey’s negatives with Democrats and independents are high, and according to at least one internal poll, are in the 50 percent range with Republicans. Over the course of the campaign, opponent Wes White has attempted to appeal to Democrats, especially in Northwest Jacksonville.

Meanwhile, the business community has begun to see Corey as a liability. Melissa Nelson, who, like White, formerly worked in the 4th Circuit State Attorney’s office, has become the candidate of choice for the Jacksonville business establishment.

As all this shakes out, a lawsuit has been filed attempting to re-open the primary. A motion to dismiss is being considered by a circuit judge.