Councilwoman Johnson swaps parties

[thelakelander]

Glorious Johnson, a city councilwoman known for a fighting attitude and past rifts within the Republican Party, is switching sides.

In relative silence, Johnson dropped her GOP registration several weeks ago but broadcast the change Monday with an announcement that left some local Republicans "shocked and dismayed," according to the party chairman.

The shift raises questions about the slowly evolving race to succeed Mayor John Peyton in two years. Johnson was among those speculated to campaign as a Republican, although for the moment she has declined to talk about higher office.

The move also puts another seat on the Republican-dominated City Council in Democratic hands, now six of 19. Even Johnson said her vote totals for an at-large seat in conservative-minded Duval County would have been different had she not run on the GOP ticket.

Lenny Curry, who chairs the local Republican Party, said Johnson's move came as surprise.

full article: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-01-27/story/council_member_swaps_parties

[tufsu1]

From what I can tell, the only reason she was a Republican in the first place is because its been very difficult to get elected as a D in NE Florida...just like Jay Plotkin (although it didn't work for him).

But the tide may be changing, at least in Jacksonville....McCain only beat Obama by 7% in Duval County.

[jaxnative]

I have had some very brief e-mail conversations with Glorius and have read many of her comments on local forums and news.  I found her to be a very pleasant person and I respected her views on personal responsibility.  However, after I read a Folio magazine piece on her I decided I could never support her again.  Considering the influences on her I picked up from that article her recent unfortunate activities come as no surprise.

[FayeforCure]

From what I can tell, the only reason she was a Republican in the first place is because its been very difficult to get elected as a D in NE Florida...just like Jay Plotkin (although it didn't work for him).

But the tide may be changing, at least in Jacksonville....McCain only beat Obama by 7% in Duval County.

WRONG,....... Obama almost beat McCain in Duval county! The spread was just over 1%. That certainly might signal the end of Republican rule in Duval county.

McCain got 50% of the vote to 49% for Obama

Just keeping our facts straight

http://www.duvalelections.com/ERSummary.aspx?eid=28

[CMG22]

jaxnative,

Out of curiosity, what were some of the influences that you ascertained from the article?  I guess I'll have to reread it.  I still have a copy of it in my desk drawer, because I thought the cover was so hysterical.

[jaxnative]

Whew, it's been a while but I was kind of surprised that Glorius seemed to have no problem letting other people do most of her talking for her and her subsequent slide to the lowest common denominator with the Alinsky style activism of the so-called "Access Jacksonville" stunt.  It just seemed radically out of character with her past politics.