Phil Ammann
Florida’s Cabinet members today endorsed former Republican Party of Florida chair Lenny Curry in the Jacksonville mayoral race.
Each Cabinet member — Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater – cited Curry’s conservative experience and success outside of politics.
“For these three principled conservatives to offer their support and place their trust in me is humbling,” Curry said in a statement. “I am proud that such respected leaders have joined our campaign to make Jacksonville a city where every person in every neighborhood can see their dreams become a reality.”
Atwater points to Curry’s background in accounting and finance at the world’s largest accounting firm.
“Lenny has the experience to be a watchdog of every single tax dollar paid by the people of Jacksonville,” he said, adding that Curry will bring “reliable, common sense stewardship to the city budget and will be a champion for hard working families.”
“Curry’s commitment to serve his community represents exactly the right leadership style for Jacksonville’s future,” Bondi said. “Lenny has a deep understanding of the challenges facing law enforcement in a large city like Jacksonville, and the Constitutional freedoms that are afforded to every citizen.
Putnam referred to Curry’s conservative principles to bring jobs, protect public safety, and prepare Florida children for their future.
“Lenny is a leader people can trust,” Putnam added.
With no primaries in the Jacksonville municipal elections, Curry faces Democratic incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown and Republican City Councilman Bill Bishop. There is also a possibility former state Rep. Mike Hogan, who Brown defeated in 2011, will enter the race.
The general election is on March 24. If no candidate gets a majority of votes, the top two candidates will be part of a runoff election on May 19.
