Political committee targets Lenny Curry, JEA sale with radio ad buy

A political committee (Florida Committee for Infrastructure Investment) designed to stop the exploration of selling Jacksonville’s utility in its tracks rolled out its first radio ad in a mass email to media.

The 30-second spot, which employs a child’s voice, includes a plaintive, heart-tugging script.

“Mommy and daddy, they’re saying that Lenny Curry is trying to sell JEA,” says the youth in the spot, a child who is remarkably hip to the mechanics of municipal utilities for his age.

“Don’t let him sell JEA,” the youngster continues. “Don’t let him sell our future.”

The call to action: to call 630-CITY and tell Curry not to sell JEA.

This particular political committee has ties to one of Curry’s chief political rivals. Its registered agent and treasurer, Heather Pullen, has connections to Lisa King, the chair of the Duval Democrats.

King is dealing with some adverse press, related to an ongoing outcry both within and outside the party about her husband, committeeman John Parker, making comments that have been framed as offensive and as a cause for both Parker and King to step down.

“Baseless attacks and lies from a political committee affiliated with and supportive of Democrat Lisa King are not how we will protect the value of taxpayer assets at JEA. The mayor remains committed to ensuring that facts inform all future plans for our utility, and that those plans respect taxpayers and the promises made to JEA employees,” said Curry’s chief of staff, Brian Hughes.

March fundraising numbers have not yet posted; at the end of February, the committee had roughly $1,600 cash on hand.

However, a representative from the group asserts that buy is for $6,000 a week on Clear Channel stations, with digital and print ads to follow.