A.G. Gancarski
Democrats have thrashed Tommy Hazouri for endorsing Republican Lenny Curry for Mayor, however his fundraising isn’t being impacted.
And signing a big check for Hazouri’s Council re-election bid in the last week: Shad Khan, via the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars’ $20,000 contribution made up the bulk of a $31,000 week for Hazouri’s Let’s Stay Together political committee.
Hazouri, the city’s Mayor from 1987 to 1991, has $53,000 in that account, and an additional $26,000 in hard money.
The Democratic incumbent faces two challengers in the March first election: Democrat James Jacobs and Republican Greg Rachal.
Two inexperienced candidates, neither has shown fundraising prowess. Jacobs has a few hundred dollars on hand, Rachal under $3,500.
Hazouri has been a fixture on television. Over $200,000 in total was invoiced to the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. The Bill Galvano led committee funded an ad showing the Curry endorsement (with the money since reimbursed by a Curry political committee).
In addition, Hazouri will spend over $100,000 on television of his own. The spot mentions first-term accomplishments, including passing the Human Rights Ordinance.
In the most recent poll of the race, Hazouri leads the field with 38 percent support, and 25 percent undecided.
