Anna Brosche makes up ground in Jacksonville Council President race

Perhaps the race for the Jacksonville City Council presidency isn’t a done deal just yet.

Perhaps “tradition” won’t tell the tale after all.

On Monday, Jacksonville City Councilwoman Anna Brosche met with fellow first-term Republicans Al Ferraro and  Sam Newby to solicit his support for her bid for the council presidency.

Brosche started the day with a 6 to 1 deficit in the pledge count, well behind her opponent, John Crescimbeni.

Crescimbeni was endorsed by a group of five men last week, with one of them talking about how “tradition” dictated that the sitting VP move up to the presidency.

However, Ferraro and Newby diverge from that read.

Ferraro spoke at length about what Brosche brings to the table that her opponent doesn’t.

“You listen,” Ferraro said, adding that “sometimes a heavy hand isn’t what we need” in leadership.

Crescimbeni, of course, is known for grilling people from the council dais, a tendency that is entertaining for media and casual onlookers, but is harrowing for the subjects of his inquiries.

“You and I don’t agree on everything,” Ferraro said, “but I do respect the hard work you’ve put in here.”

Ferraro and Brosche most notably parted ways on the expansion of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance earlier this year. However, that’s a done deal now.

Brosche, who essentially was delivered a brushback pitch by endorsers of Crescimbeni last week, was unflappable when asked on Monday about her path to victory.

“Councilman Ferraro put it well,” Brosche said. “I’ll continue to do what I’ve done, and be who I am.”

Brosche also was unmoved by Councilman Bill Gulliford saying that he wouldn’t serve on a standing committee in her administration.

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Currently, Brosche trails Crescimbeni 6 to 3 in the pledge count. Crescimbeni meets with Councilwoman Joyce Morgan on Tuesday, and Morgan — a fellow Democrat from Arlington — is all but certain to sign on with Crescimbeni.

In the VP race, Aaron Bowman, trailing Scott Wilson 3-1, will attempt to close the gap, via a meeting with Brosche.

Some have speculated than Brosche and Bowman are a de facto ticket; however, the council members deny that assertion.