A.G. Gancarski
Call it another example of “building something that lasts.”
Those close to the political operation of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry deny there is a slate of candidates. But a close look at the 2019 endorsements of the Northeast Florida Builders Association suggests a strong alignment between the interests of Curry and construction.
In one race after another, NEFBA picked candidates Curry can do business with.
Republican incumbents, such as Sheriff Mike Williams, Property Appraiser Jerry Holland, and Tax Collector Jim Overton, scored endorsements. As did Elections Supervisor Mike Hogan, who isn’t even on the March ballot.
The mayor scored the endorsement over Councilwoman Anna Brosche and the field, of course.
Moving downticket, Republican Terrance Freeman was the pick in At Large 1. Another connected Republican (Ron Salem) got the builders’ boost in AL-2. Currycrat Tommy Hazouri got the nod in AL-3. And in AL-5, reliable vote Sam Newby was the selection.
The sole outlier: Republican realtor Harold McCart in AL-4. He beat out Matt Carlucci, a Hazouriesque Republican elder statesman ready for another stint in public office. Carlucci gets most of the legacy endorsements, yet this one alluded him.
No need to find the fainting couch, though, as that was the only remote surprise.
Democrat Joyce Morgan got the pick in District 1 over Republican Bill Bishop. Bishop castigated what he saw as a rigged process four years ago in the mayoral derby, so no surprise there.
NEFBA passed on endorsing Republican Al Ferraro in District 2 (along with dissident Democrat Garrett Dennis in 9).
However, the picks by and large aligned with expectations: Republican Council President Aaron Bowman (running unopposed), Republican Council Vice-President Scott Wilson, Currycrat Reggie Gaffney, and newly elected Republican Randy White were the incumbents selected.
For open seats, the builders preferred Chamber Republican Rose Conry in 6, connected Democrat Tameka Holly in 8, and Democrat Celestine Mills in 10.
Mills, who has run before, is enjoying endorsements that hadn’t gone her way in previous cycles.
