A.G. Gancarski
With January almost over, there is still a chance that Audrey Gibson — Senate Minority Leader-designate — may face a 2018 primary challenge from Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Brown.
Brown teased a challenge to his fellow Jacksonville Democrat in December, but had been quiet since, saying that “early January” would be when the decision was made.
The incumbent had $115,000 cash on hand as of the end of 2017, and she draws from the kinds of corporate contributors who understand the importance of currying favor with leadership.
Florida Politics caught up with Brown Monday. He says he’s still looking at the race.
“It’s not that I was trying to incite fear or anything like that,” the second-term Councilman said regarding floating the idea of a run this year, but “there’s been a host of folks who have asked me what’s next.”
“I believe that people ask ‘what’s next’ when you’ve done a great job,” Brown said. “Right now, it’s really about Reggie Brown and what’s next for me.”
When asked if he’d be worried about taking on Gibson, Brown was blunt.
“Absolutely not,” the Councilman said. “It’s going out to the community and sharing with the community my story, how hard I worked as a District councilman — not just working hard for District 10, but for the area.”
“It’s like all other elections — people decide who’s going to lead them,” Brown said. “It’s all up to the people.”
Brown, when asked about Gibson getting support from state and national interests, wouldn’t say that Gibson was “out of touch” but did say that “there’s nothing like local politics.”
“I’ve been local for nine years. I’m very in touch with the community. I’m also in touch with Tallahassee, and I know things we aren’t getting done,” Brown said.
“With the tenacity I’ve shown as a City Council member,” Brown said, “if I just take half of that to Tallahassee and my willingness to work across the table and get things done, letting folks understand that it’s about the flag.”
“I really don’t put a lot of respect or time into party issues,” Brown — who is again mulling a primary challenge to the party’s designated caucus leader starting next year — said. “I’m more about getting things done.”
Among those missed opportunities: lack of infrastructure on state roads, such as sidewalks, traffic lights, and street lights, as well as money for parks, seniors’ programs, and veterans’ programs.
“As Jacksonville continues to grow,” Brown said, “there has to be an expectation in Tallahassee that money needs to come to North Florida.”
We asked Brown about Gibson travelling the state to help out candidates and find out issues; again, his answer came back to local politics.
“I would hope that she takes under consideration all the work there is to do here in Duval County, as she travels around the state,” Brown said.
Brown said he wants to make sure he doesn’t leave his Council district unrepresented for too long, and suggested that may factor into his timetable.
