Mike Weinstein Announces Jacksonville City Council Bid

After losing a Florida Senate primary battle to Aaron Bean last year, former Rep. Mike Weinstein, currently serving as the CEO of Volunteers in Medicine, turned his focus back to local politics. On Wednesday, Weinstein announced he was running for the Jacksonville City Council seat currently held by Stephen Joost who faces term limits in 2015.

Working with Volunteers in Medicine has allowed me the opportunity to give back to our community in a new way while being engaged in the ever-changing health care industry, Weinstein said in a statement. With so much government oversight in the health care industry, it is refreshing to be involved with an organization that does so much through community support and private means rather than surviving by the mercy of a government administered program. My experience with Volunteers in Medicine has inspired me to continue to work to make our community a better place to call home. I can think of no better way to continue my service to our city than to explore the possibility of running for the Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 3 seat.

Weinstein has an extensive background in Jacksonville civic life. Besides serving two terms in the Florida House, Weinstein was an assistant state attorney, CFO for Jacksonville under Democrat Mayor Ed Austin and Republican Mayor John Delaney and was president and CEO of the Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee. He also served as executive director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission. But Weinstein has had problems when he has sought higher offices. Besides his loss to Bean, Weinstein ran for mayor twice and lost both times.