A.G. Gancarski
With four weeks until Jacksonville’s First Election, Democratic City Council candidate Albert Wilcox is working to underscore a point.
In Wilcox’s view, the race is one between him and two better-funded candidates, who are splitting the loyalties of Jacksonville’s business community.
Tameka Gaines Holly has roughly $33,000 on hand. Appointed incumbent Ju’Coby Pittman has roughly $30,000. Each of them are well ahead of Wilcox (with ~$5,000 COH).
“You can tell by who gets what endorsements where the support is coming from,” Wilcox said, noting his backing from Central Labor Council and other unions.
“My opponents have been supported by PACs and other organizations that support the Mayor,” Wilcox said.
“Holly has the endorsement of JAXBIZ, the money bank for the Mayor,” Wilcox said. “In his second term, he wants Council people he can bend and break.”
“I’m stopping that,” Wilcox said. “I will question the Mayor and his agenda. As we get close to the election, the line has been drawn.”
Of course, there are two other candidates in the race.
Diallo-Sekou Seabrooks, who has roughly $2,200 COH, sounds a lot of the same themes.
“We take different approaches. Diallo’s an activist,” Wilcox said. “I’m an educator. My approach is a little different.”
District 8 has had two Council members since the last election: Ju’Coby Pittman and suspended indictee Katrina Brown.
Wilcox believes these have been four wasted years for District 8.
“We have so many problems in our community right now,” Wilcox said. “Another death in this district. There has not been one word spoken by the appointed Councilwoman.”
Wilcox believes he can beat the odds and win with a “unified message” and a community approach.
If no candidate clears 50 percent in March, the top two finishers move to the May general election ballot.
