Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, now running in the Republican primary to take on Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, unveiled his team on the First Coast on Tuesday.
I am pleased to announce my Jacksonville Victory Team, said LeMieux in a statement. I continue to be honored at the grassroots support the campaign has garnered across the state. With the help of my Jacksonville Team, we will see victory in August and again in November.
LeMieuxs team includes some big-name Jacksonville Republicans, including Duval County Sheriff John Rutherford and John Falconetti, the owner of the Drummond Press and the former chairman of the Duval County GOP.
I support George LeMieux because he knows the importance of federal support for local law enforcement, Rutherford said. George knows the value of federal legislators working closely with local officials, as we all strive to protect the people of Florida. George will go to the United States Senate and fight for our states right to govern its own people and support us when we need Washington.
"As a business owner, I am plagued with government overregulation on a daily basis, said Falconetti. I know that the best way to grow our economy is to get the government out of the way. That's why I am endorsing George LeMieux for U.S. Senate. I am supporting George because he has a real plan that will lessen burdensome regulations, lower the corporate tax rate, and propose a national right-to-work law. Business owners need George, so we can continue to create jobs for unemployed Floridians."
LeMieux also won the backing of longtime Jacksonville Republican leader Tom Slade, the former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. LeMieux also won the support of state Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, who represents parts of Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. The former senator is also getting the backing of members of the Jacksonville City Council, including Vice President William Bishop, and Councilmen Bill Gulliford and Matt Schellenberg. LeMieux also reeled in the support of Public Defender Matt Shirk, former City Council President Kevin Hyde and Nelson Cuba, president of the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police. LeMieuxs supporters from the First Coast business community include Peter Rummell, the former president and CEO of the St. Joe Co.; Erika Alba of Foley & Lardner, and Preston Haskell, the founder of the Haskell Co.
With none of the major candidates having ties to the First Coast, with its base of conservative voters, Jacksonville is shaping up to be a major battleground for the Republican Senate primary come August. Other Republican hopefuls include U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, retired Army officer and businessman Mike McCalister and restaurant executive Craig Miller.
Keep an eye on Sunshine State News which will be releasing a poll on the Republican Senate primary on Thursday morning.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
