Candidates keep piling into next year's Jacksonville mayoral race. Publisher Jim Bailey and General Counsel Rick Mullaney joined the Republican field this week, while City Councilwoman Glorious Johnson, initially elected as a Republican, will be running as a Democrat. They join Duval County Tax Collector Mike Hogan, former mayoral aide Audrey Moran and City Councilman Kevin Hyde in the race. Duval County Elections Supervisor Jerry Holland is seeking a second term, ending any speculation that he might be joining the crowded field Tampa has made the short list to host the 2012 Republican convention. Salt Lake City and Phoenix are also on the list Three Florida Democrats have come out against President Barack Obamas offshore oil efforts. U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz sent a letter to the president saying they were opposed to any efforts to drill off Floridas coast.
Commissioner Bill Segal just got a big boost for his campaign for Orange County mayor. Belle Isle Mayor Bill Brooks, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Winter Park Mayor Ken Bradley endorsed Segal Commissioner Randy Wilkinson tried to ban the use of taxpayer funds for abortions in Polk County. While Wilkinsons measure failed, he did receive praise from conservatives that will certainly help his bid to take the congressional seat that Adam Putnam is vacating State Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink came out in support of Gov. Charlie Crists proposed special session of the Legislature to address public corruption issues.
Former Ambassador to Portugal Al Hoffman sold his house in Fort Myers to Cliff Williams. Yes, that Cliff Williams, the bassist from legendary heavy metal band AC/DC Is Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Jacksonville, in trouble? Hes raised $55,000 for his reelection campaign so far and just loaned his campaign $50,000. Weinstein has drawn a formidable challenger for the Republican nomination. John Melia is well known on the First Coast for his work as executive director of the Wounded Warrior Project and his work on veterans issues While an internal investigation cleared Florida Power & Light employees of misleading regulators, FP&L says it will continue to treat the matter seriously and will give a larger role to consultant former Attorney General Bob Butterworth in investigating internal affairs.
While Nassau County Commission Chairman Mike Boyle has no challengers to his reelection so far, his colleague Commissioner Barry Holloway is facing a host of contenders ready to take his seat. Amanda Young, an aide to Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, will be challenging incumbent Nassau County School Board member Muriel Creamer in the Republican Primary Rick Eaton, an Air Force veteran and an environmental activist, will be taking on the Rev. James Golden in the Democratic primary. The winner will go up against U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. With two unknown candidates and Golden off to a slow start with fundraising, Buchanan, with more than $900,000 in his war chest, appears in solid shape to be reelected Roger Brower passed away earlier this month at the age of 67. Best known for his tenure as executive director of the North Central Florida Safety Council, Brower also served as director of economic development for Gainesville.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or (850) 727-0859.
