John Rutherford has his work cut out for him in Congress as he stands in the shadows of three congressional representatives from Northeast Florida.
The former Duval County sheriff is an overwhelming favorite to be elected to Congress in November, representing part of the First Coast in Washington. After impressively winning the Republican primary last month, taking 38 percent, almost twice as much as runner up Lake Ray, Rutherford should have no problem against Navy veteran Dave Bruderly, the Democrat in the race, non-party affiliated writer Gary Koniz and a write-in candidate.
In the primary, which often focused on immigration and the war on terror, the candidates often missed out on the main task of whoever replaced Ander Crenshaw in Congress: fighting for the First Coast’s naval bases.
The centerpiece of Jacksonville’s naval community is Naval Station Mayport. Founded at the end of 1942 during World War Two, Mayport was shut down, became a Coast Guard post and then relaunched in 1948. Throughout its history, Mayport, like the rest of the naval bases on the First Coast such as NAS Jacksonville, has often benefited from congressional patrons.
Chief among those was Charlie Bennett. Serving four and a half decades in Congress, the longest congressional career in Florida history, Bennett was a hawkish Democrat who was an expert on defense issues. While he was known for his ethics and for placing “In God We Trust” on the currency, much of Bennett’s focus was on defense issues. Since the First Coast Democrat was far closer to the Reagan administration on defense issues, House Democrats put Les Aspin in charge of the Armed Services Committee instead of Bennett, ignoring the Florida congressman’s seniority. Despite that, Bennett used his service on the committee to ensure the Navy remained prominent on the First Coast.
Republican Tillie Fowler was elected to Congress in 1992 after Bennett retired. Breaking with the GOP on some social issues, Fowler was reelected three times and moved up the Republican leadership ladder. Fowler was active on the House Armed Services Committee, urging the Clinton administration to keep a strong defense budget and watched over the various Navy bases on the First Coast. Fittingly, Fowler advised Don Rumsfeld until her death in 2005.
Crenshaw took Fowler’s place after she retired in 2000. From his perch on the Appropriations Committee, Crenshaw followed in Bennett’s and Fowler’s footsteps, looking to protect bases on the First Coast. As part of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Crenshaw has battled with the Virginia delegation over bringing a nuclear powered carrier to Mayport. Currently Norfolk is the only home port for carriers on the Atlantic seaboard, something Crenshaw has unsuccessfully tried to change in recent years.
Rutherford should not be counting on congressional seniority in following the Bennett/Fowler/Crenshaw playbook when it comes to funding the First Coast’s Navy bases. Rutherford is considerably older now than Bennett--who was in late 30s--and Fowler--who was 49--were when they first came to Washington, D.C. Even Crenshaw, who had been active in Florida politics for the better part of three decades before winning his House seat in 2000, was in his mid 50s. Rutherford turned 64 earlier this month and time isn’t exactly on his side.
Still, Rutherford worked with federal government during his twelve years as sheriff and he is already talking up getting a seat on the Homeland Security Committee. He shouldn’t have much of the way of problems winning in his heavily Republican district. But following Bennett’s, Fowler’s and Crenshaw’s successes in funding the First Coast’s naval bases will be a far longer battle for Rutherford.
