John Crescimbeni is facing a hard fight for his Group 2 At Large Council seat

[Cheshire Cat]

Incumbent John Crescimbeni who holds the Group 2 at large council seat in Jacksonville is facing the political fight of his life in this election cycle.  Crescimbeni has got to be one of the most fiscally conservative Democrats around.  That conservative bent along with his demand for details has been a quality that has kept him in favor in the eyes of government watchers focused on budget.  Crescimbeni is also known to be responsive via email to constituents and a person who will go to bat for them.  However, the very same fiscal conservatism in combination with the public angst he has shown to both the JSO leadership and the JRFD over pensions and budgets has put him squarely in the bulls eye of these organizations who have been actively working their "Fire Crescimbeni" campaign.  Fire him meaning of course to vote him out. The JFRD union has gone on record saying their main goal is to get Crescimbeni out of office.  For some reason Crescimbeni has a less than favorable view particularly of the JSO which he thinks is financially bloated in spite of consistent cutbacks to their budgets and loss of officers on the street in a city where crime and murder is of great concern to the average citizen.  At times he has been downright rude to the Sheriff and JSO reps. At times Crescimbeni's views of the JSO have had a personal vendetta feel to them.  It is his belief that the JSO should be simply another department in the city treated like all departments.  Basically to him officers and firefighters are not special in any way despite the risks they face serving this city.  There are two candidates who are in the race with him for Group 2.  They are Dave Barron (R) and Theresa Graham (R).  Barron comes to this race with a campaign war chest that is nearly three times the size of Crescimbeni's and the backing of the JFRD who is working hard to see him oust the incumbent.  Theresa Graham is a conservative woman who has run for council before unsuccessfully.  Graham will not be a factor in this race and that is probably a very good thing. 

REMINDER: All registered voters may cast a ballot for this seat!

[vicupstate]

Graham will not be a factor in this race and that is probably a very good thing.

She may have essentially a zero chance of wining, but if her presence on the ballot means that the race goes to a runoff, that is certainly significant. Just about any name on a three person ballot will get 2-5%.     

[Cheshire Cat]

I understand what you are saying vic. but she still will not be able to impact Barron enough to keep him from being in the runoff with Crescimbeni.  First round in this election will have Barron squaring off with Crescimbeni.  IMO 

[vicupstate]

I understand what you are saying vic. but she still will not be able to impact Barron enough to keep him from being in the runoff with Crescimbeni.  First round in this election will have Barron squaring off with Crescimbeni.  IMO 

True, but if it goes to a runoff, that we be a another round of campaign spending required. That would be a big disadvantage to Crescimbeni since he has less to spend in the first place. 

[Cheshire Cat]

^vic, it will go to the second election, there is no if.  The top two candidates with the most votes will face off.  You are definitely spot on about the financial problem this will produce for Crescimbeni. 

[Jax native]

John Crescimbeni has been one of the most responsive city council members in a long time.  he truly does and vote what is best, while being known for not taking the special interest money or lobbyist tactics.  He has earned the large amount of respect the community has for him.  The police union using a "fire Crescimbeni" platform is in bad taste concerning the factual information we all now have about Nelson Cuba and his 'gang".  I hope this move backfires and Jacksonville is lucky to have another term with John Crescimbeni on City Council.

[Noone]

Crescimbeni has my vote. He has been awesome.