A.G. Gancarski
Time was when Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Gaffney seemed vulnerable in his re-election bid.
The Democrat, representing a district that sprawls from Downtown toward the airport, has dealt with legal scrapes in the past ranging from his nonprofit’s Medicaid overbilling (an issue in the 2015 campaign) to double dipping on homestead exemption claims (an issue while in office).
However, with the first election in ten months, and the unitary election a year away, Gaffney is building a formidable war chest, loaded with maximum contributions from some of Jacksonville’s most influential individuals and lobbyists.
Gaffney’s April was his best month of fundraising since he opened his campaign account in September.
Gaffney brought in $9,400, giving him $46,100 raised and nearly $42,000 cash on hand.
Among the donors: Michael Ward, former CSX executive currently with the Jacksonville Civic Council; Darnell Smith of Florida Blue, the most recent past Jax Chamber chair; the Fiorentino Group; Advanced Disposal; and Eagle LNG.
As well, the Democratic Services Network — an interesting committee with money from entities ranging from the Florida Democratic Party to AIF’s “Voice of Florida Business PAC” and red-light camera concern American Traffic Solutions — anted up.
Gaffney’s closest competition, Sharise Riley, is largely self-financed and has just over $7,000 on hand.
