Lenny Curry Powers to Victory in Jax, No Runoff Needed

Submitted by Nancy Smith on March 20, 2019 - 12:52am

Despite a four-candidate field and a bitter race, Mayor Lenny Curry easily won re-election Tuesday. The former chairman of both the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) and the Duval County GOP took 58 percent of the vote, leaving fellow Republican Anne Brosche a distant second with 24 percent.

Mayor Lenny Curry

Curry, 48, needed only 50 percent plus one vote to avoid a May runoff. He will take his oath of office and begin his second term July 1.

Of the other two candidates in the race, Omega Allen, the lone Democrat, won 11 percent of the vote; Jimmy Hill, 8 percent.

Former City Councilwoman Brosche, who got a late start in the campaign, had focused attacks on the mayor’s failed efforts to fight violent crime effectively and his plan for downtown development. Curry’s Political Action Committee, meanwhile, countered with a series of ads attacking Brosche's credibility and her role in a possible public records law violation.

At his victory party at the Hyatt Regency Tuesday night, Curry said triumphantly, "We're going to make downtown a destination. You will not recognize downtown in four years." He told the crowd of about 200 he had run on his record of funding 180 more police officers, finding a solution to the pension liability, passing four balanced budgets without a tax increase and paying down debt.

In defeat, Brosche told her supporters, “While the voters have spoken and I honor their decision, it is my sincere hope that all of our citizens take an active role in their government. For our city to meet its potential, we must work together to meet our challenges head on and invest in our neighborhoods and our children. It is vital for the future of our city that our citizens insist their voices be heard and fight for inclusiveness, transparency, and a government that serves all of the citizens of Jacksonville, not just the donor class. I pray that our community holds this mayor accountable and fights diligently to protect our assets.”

Voter turnout was low as predicted, recorded at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 24.44 percent.

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