John Rutherford wins St. Johns Chamber straw poll; Bill McClure comes in second

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John Rutherford and Bill McClure were both on-the-spot last weekend during a motorist rescue operation on Interstate 95.

And on Thursday, the two Congressional District 4 Republican candidates were linked once more, as the top two finishers in the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce straw poll.

This poll lacked the drama of the one held by Duval County Republicans on the same day, which was described by more than one party with colorful language that burned this scribe’s delicate ears.

Rutherford took the poll with 121 votes, but in a competitive second place was St. Johns County Commissioner Bill McClure, whose 84 votes can be framed by the self-styled outsider as a moral victory.

Other candidates lagged far behind.

Hans Tanzler, who underperformed at the Duval GOP poll, racked up 37 votes. Lake Ray, who left the Duval GOP poll feeling like he got jobbed, got a mere 25 votes from the St. Johns Chamber types.

Meanwhile, CD 4 Democratic nominee Dave Bruderly scored 24 votes, with other candidates in single digits.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has written for FloridaPolitics.com since 2014. He is based in Northeast Florida. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


One comment

  • Dean Raleigh

    August 6, 2016 at 7:32 am

    Clarification: The straw poll graciously held by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce was open to the general public; not limited to “Chamber types.”

Comments are closed.


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