A.G. Gancarski
Despite a Republican advantage in turnout, Jacksonville’s longest tenured Democrat scored a convincing win while seeking re-election.
With 198 of 199 precincts reporting, At-Large Group 3 City Councilman Tommy Hazouri downed Republican Greg Rachal 58 to 42 percent.
Under ordinary circumstances, Hazouri would not have been pushed to May. However, his own party sabotaged him in March.
Hazouri got nearly 45 percent of the vote, a number bolstered by co-branding with Mayor Lenny Curry (a former chairman of the Florida GOP). However, a Democratic challenger served as a spoiler, blocking Hazouri from a majority.
However, his campaign machine was built and resourced to go the distance.
Hazouri brought in roughly $360,000 to Rachal’s $32,000.
Hazouri built a coalition that would be the envy of most politicians: the business community backed him, as did Curry and his machine, as did groups ranging from public safety unions to Equality Florida.
Hazouri’s plans for the next term: what looks to be a clean shot at the City Council Vice Presidency, then Presidency the following year.
