2019 Mayoral election

[CityLife]

Yeah, it was so bad it makes you wonder if it was controlled opposition.

Pretty incredible that there was not a viable Democratic candidate.

[Charles Hunter]

Looks like Lenny will have a friendly City Council, for the most part.  The pitiful 25% turn out will seem stratospheric for the May run-off, with only two county-wide council races, and a handful of Distrit run-offs.

At-Large Group 1 - Lisa King (D) vs Terrance Freeman (R)
This one should get the most attention from the Curry machine. Lenny removed Lisa King from the Zoning Board because she wasn't friendly enough to developers. Freeman was appointed by Curry's buddy Gov. Scott - even  though Freeman may not have lived in the District he was appointed to represent.

At-Large Group 3 - Tommy Hazouri (D) vs Greg Rachal (R)
Will Curry repay his debt to Hazouri for his endorsement? Or will he stick with the "R"?

District Run-Offs
District 8 - Ju'Coby Pittman vs Tameka Gaines Holly, both Democrats. In a 5 person race, they got, respectively 39% and 27% of the votes.

District 10 - Brenda Priestly Jackson vs Celestine Mills, again two Democrats. Another 5 person race, two were Republicans, with the results of 42% and 21%

District 14 - Randy DeFoor (R) vs Sunny Gettinger (D), out of 4 candidates they got 39% and 28%.  This could be the most interesting District race, as DeFoor is endorsed by Curry, and Gettinger is an advocate of LGBT rights

[remc86007]

Why do so many people vote for incumbents? Are people really happy with how things are going?

[vicupstate]

The good thing about Curry winning outright is that now we don't have to wait until May to find out what his plans really are.  At least I hope so.

[thelakelander]

I think it was pretty well known he was going to be reelected. They've also been telling people for years what their plans are. Definitely expecting more of the same. We'll just see if the plans finally materialize into reality.

[vicupstate]

I think it was pretty well known he was going to be reelected. They've also been telling people for years what their plans are. Definitely expecting more of the same. We'll just see if the plans finally materialize into reality.

I was specifically referring to some important details like the public pricetag on the Cordish/Lot J plans, as well as making official the decision to move JEA there. Also the pricetag for the park at the Landing. And of course, how to pay for all of this stuff.   

All of that was too sensitive/disruptive to be released before his next term was secured.   

[Steve]

Looks like Lenny will have a friendly City Council, for the most part.  The pitiful 25% turn out will seem stratospheric for the May run-off, with only two county-wide council races, and a handful of Distrit run-offs.

At-Large Group 1 - Lisa King (D) vs Terrance Freeman (R)
This one should get the most attention from the Curry machine. Lenny removed Lisa King from the Zoning Board because she wasn't friendly enough to developers. Freeman was appointed by Curry's buddy Gov. Scott - even  though Freeman may not have lived in the District he was appointed to represent.

At-Large Group 3 - Tommy Hazouri (D) vs Greg Rachal (R)
Will Curry repay his debt to Hazouri for his endorsement? Or will he stick with the "R"?

District Run-Offs
District 8 - Ju'Coby Pittman vs Tameka Gaines Holly, both Democrats. In a 5 person race, they got, respectively 39% and 27% of the votes.

District 10 - Brenda Priestly Jackson vs Celestine Mills, again two Democrats. Another 5 person race, two were Republicans, with the results of 42% and 21%

District 14 - Randy DeFoor (R) vs Sunny Gettinger (D), out of 4 candidates they got 39% and 28%.  This could be the most interesting District race, as DeFoor is endorsed by Curry, and Gettinger is an advocate of LGBT rights

At Large 1, 3, and District 14 are the ones I'm paying attention to. I'd vote for King in 1, Gettinger in 14 if I could (I live in 5), and I'm not sure on 3.

[Steve]

Why do so many people vote for incumbents? Are people really happy with how things are going?

It's a combination of the fact that they haven't been an unmitigated disaster, and/or no viable alternative in some cases. Brosche is Exhibit A

[thelakelander]

I think it was pretty well known he was going to be reelected. They've also been telling people for years what their plans are. Definitely expecting more of the same. We'll just see if the plans finally materialize into reality.

I was specifically referring to some important details like the public pricetag on the Cordish/Lot J plans, as well as making official the decision to move JEA there. Also the pricetag for the park at the Landing. And of course, how to pay for all of this stuff.   

All of that was too sensitive/disruptive to be released before his next term was secured.   

I'm pretty sure that will be piecemealed out. This community isn't one that can stomach what the true dollar figure will tally up too. Peyton had similar redevelopment dreams as well. Yet, at the end of the day, we demolished kids kampus and a seldom used grass field has been there ever since, waiting for all the people who want miles of urban riverfront green space to flock to it. It will be interesting to see how far things get before the economy turns sour.

[marcuscnelson]

A whole lot of talk in this article...

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/currys-next-four-years-mayor-says-hes-going-to-make-downtown-a-destination

Interesting note, the Sheriff is committing to moving the jail. And he's already talking about a price tag of $400-500 million.

[thelakelander]

That article literally said nothing about DT other than we're currently changing the skyline by demolishing sites and being hopeful that new development will eventually come. Just drove through DT Orlando to a meeting at CFX. You don't need newspaper articles and fluff pieces to see the change. There's cranes and infill going up all over the place.

[Captain Zissou]

That article literally said nothing about DT other than we're currently changing the skyline by demolishing sites and being hopeful that new development will eventually come. Just drove through DT Orlando to a meeting at CFX. You don't need newspaper articles and fluff pieces to see the change. There's cranes and infill going up all over the place.

The only "construction" in the article is the rebuilding of damaged docks from hurricane Irma.  There is a lot going on downtown, but the media doesn't seem to care about it.  SoBa, Broadstone, Vista Brooklyn, the Ambassador, the Laura Trio, Hyatt Place, and the redevelopment of the Profit building are all important pieces of the downtown puzzle, but they aren't mega-projects associated with billionaires so the city overlooks them.

[thelakelander]

Those are the exciting ones! Small but big when clustered with complimentary public investment. Getting more off the ground, filling in and energzing the gaps between them is where a lot more extra focus and priority is needed.

[Tacachale]

That article literally said nothing about DT other than we're currently changing the skyline by demolishing sites and being hopeful that new development will eventually come. Just drove through DT Orlando to a meeting at CFX. You don't need newspaper articles and fluff pieces to see the change. There's cranes and infill going up all over the place.

That piece just repeats the PR spin. The heavy hitting journalism we expect from David Cawton.

[Snaketoz]

Well, the election is over.  I'm going to miss all the political ads on TV ran by the Curry backers.  Even though he ran for mayor the first term on Brown's record as it pertains to crime, is it any better?  He spent millions on crime fighting technology, but not a penny on prevention.  His daily mailings found my mailbox.  Glad I know to avoid Anna, or absent Anna.  She is evil in the flesh.  Taking those expensive trips and dining in luxury.  I suppose she charged her extra bag on Frontier and ate off the specials menu at Cracker Barrel.
Now that all of us are aware of this evil, puppy killing, city expense account abusing hussy, Curry gets reelected.  Now as a lame ducker he can sell JEA, (after the move to LOT J), repay Tommy Hazouri for his endorsement, and bring back tolls.  He can tear down The Landing, turn the School Board building into a bait shop, and go on his long postponed honeymoon with the Sheriff.
To all the voters in Jacksonville who stayed home and didn't vote, and all of you who want this fiasco-good for you.  You deserve living in a city with so much potential, but still the "good old boy" backassward place it will continue to be until we get enough people to move here that know better.  To Anna Broche, what was that?