A.G. Gancarski
The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors went with former Jacksonville City Councilman and state Rep. Lake Ray over his three opponents in the August race for Duval County Tax Collector.
Ben Bates, President of NEFAR, cited Ray’s “extensive experience in business and his distinguished public service” as reasons to be “confident Lake Ray will focus on improving customer service and handling this office effectively.”
“Realtors are often the welcoming committee for folks relocating to Jacksonville,” said Lake Ray. “For new residents, the first interaction with local government is often at the Tax Collector’s office.”
“When I am Tax Collector,” Ray added, “I will make sure all of our residents – not just our new neighbors – receive the best possible service, efficiently, so they can move on with their lives.”
Ray is ahead in fundraising, with a total of $136,935, with over $125,000 of that on hand still.
Ray’s closest competitor is also a Republican, former property appraiser and city councilman Jim Overton, who has raised $92,620 total, with just over $70,000 on hand.
Running third in the money race: current Jacksonville City Councilman Doyle Carter, with over $65,000 raised and $63,000 on hand.
Still in fourth place, the sole Democrat in the race: former State Rep. Mia Jones.
The Republican establishment seems split on this race. Overton said that previous tax collector Michael Corrigan urged him to run, and Carter has the fundraising support of Jacksonville Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan and myriad Council colleagues.
If a candidate does not get a simple majority on the August ballot, the top two votegetters, regardless of party, will move on to the November ballot.
