Mullaney endorses Hogan

[Jaxson]

Rick Mullaney tells Times-Union he's supporting Mike Hogan for mayor
Former candidate praises Hogan's background, ideology and openness to ideas
Posted: April 6, 2011 - 4:04pm

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-04-06/story/rick-mullaney-tells-times-union-hes-supporting-mike-hogan-mayor#ixzz1ImeZZfS6

By Jim Schoettler

Rick Mullaney told The Times-Union this afternoon he is supporting fellow conservative Republican Mike Hogan for mayor and encouraging his supporters to consider doing the same.

Mullaney, who finished fourth in the March 22 municipal election, said he chose Hogan over Democrat Alvin Brown based on Hogan’s background and experience as a legislator and chief executive; being a fiscally conservative Republican opposed to any tax increases; and his willingness to consider new ideas not already in his platform.

Mullaney said he intends to introduce Hogan to people who could help him from a policy standpoint, but he does not plan to be active in fundraising. Mullaney’s campaign raised $1.3 million in the first election â€" the most of any candidate. He received 23,591 votes - 15.5 percent..

The general election is May 17. Early voting begins May 2.

“I’m supporting Mike because of his experience, ideology and openness to public policy ideas,” Mullaney said. “I think he’s better prepared to address the financial challenges we’re facing.”

Neither Hogan nor Brown could be immediately reached to comment. Hogan spokeswoman Erin Isaac said in an email, "Mike is proud to have Rick's support. They both love Jacksonville and want what's best for this city."

Third place finisher Republican Audrey Moran, who has not publicly offered support for either candidate, could not be reached to comment.

Mullaney said he met with Hogan for two hours about a week after the first election and came away with an appreciation for Hogan’s commitment to work on the city’s fiscal problems, seek jobs and other issues.

He said he also appreciated that Hogan offered support for considering parts of a 34-point plan Mullaney touted to help the local economy and grow jobs. That support included a willingness to get personally involved in tackling the city’s education issues, something Hogan has favored, and for what Mullaney called a jobs capture program to keep and increase jobs at JaxPort.

Mullaney said he set up a meeting among his top supporters and policy advisors and Hogan’s team that was held on April 1. Several people who were at that meeting or were invited have since told The Times-Union they also plan to support Hogan by helping to raise money and in other ways sought by the Hogan camp.

Mullaney encouraged residents to support whomever is elected mayor. He said he thought "very highly" of Brown, but didn't think he was the best choice.

"I enjoyed getting to know him. In the debates, he presented himself well," Mullaney said. "But I believe Mike's background and experience prepare him better to serve as mayor."

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-04-06/story/rick-mullaney-tells-times-union-hes-supporting-mike-hogan-mayor#ixzz1ImePsLA7

Source: The Florida Times-Union
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-04-06/story/rick-mullaney-tells-times-union-hes-supporting-mike-hogan-mayor

[buckethead]

There's a shocker.

[Lunican]

Mullaney raised $55 per vote.

[stjr]

Mullaney is buying insurance for a future run for public office.  If he didn't endorse Hogan, he would probably be a black sheep for life in the Republican Party.  I have heard from insiders that the party has zero tolerance for its members (publicly) supporting anyone but Republicans and violators are banished to wherever disfavored Republicans go. Some might call it a loyalty oath (sounds like a cult).  It appears to me to be at least "party cleansing."

[danem]

Mullaney is buying insurance for a future run for public office.  If he didn't endorse Hogan, he would probably be a black sheep for life in the Republican Party.  I have heard from insiders that the party has zero tolerance for its members (publicly) supporting anyone but Republicans and violators are banished to wherever disfavored Republicans go. Some might call it a loyalty oath (sounds like a cult).  It appears to me to be at least "party cleansing."

All three Republicans in this race seemed to be very different from each other. Maybe the Mayor's race here needs to be non-partisan? There's already no primary!

[JeffreyS]

Did he have supporters?

[mtraininjax]

Some might call it a loyalty oath (sounds like a cult)

Some would say the same thing about the Liberal Left.

[hillary supporter]

Some might call it a loyalty oath (sounds like a cult)

Some would say the same thing about the Liberal Left.

But would they say that about Duval democrats? No

[mtraininjax]

But would they say that about Duval democrats?

I would.

[Jimmy]

mtrain, that would make your opinion suspect.  I'm a Duval Democrat and I was for a Republican in the first election.  The local party has not the discipline or clout necessary to make its ranks walk in formation.  

I'll say here what I said earlier at the TU.

Sounds about right. Mullaney spent a lot of time going after Hogan's voters. Now he's sending his supporters home to Mike Hogan.

Fingers crossed that Audrey Moran will endorse Alvin Brown - soon. That would also be about right. And could well give Mr. Brown the edge on May 17.

[mtraininjax]

mtrain, that would make you wrong.  I'm a Duval Democrat and I was for a Republican in the first election.  The local party has not the discipline or clout necessary to make its ranks walk in formation. 

I'll say here what I said earlier at the TU.

Sounds about right. Mullaney spent a lot of time going after Hogan's voters. Now he's sending his supporters home to Mike Hogan.

Fingers crossed that Audrey Moran will endorse Alvin Brown - soon. That would also be about right. And could well give Mr. Brown the edge on May 17.

So what? Moran endorsing Brown will vindicate all republicans who said she was a democrat anyway. Those who voted for her believed in her democratic ways. I AM a registered Democrat and I voted for Hogan because I could not stand any of the other candidates. Nothing has changed. Brown has nothing to run on publicly. Until he comes out and FIGHTS for a position, he is a bag of hot air. Hogan said he won't raise taxes, good enough for me.

[Timkin]

mhmm

[buckethead]

I thought the Dixiecrats were all extinct!

[hillary supporter]

But would they say that about Du val democrats?

I would.

The Du val Republicans are made up of numerous former democrats who left the party for conservatism. The Du val Demos aren't in the position to be doing any grudge matches like loyalty oaths. While i see your point concerning Liberal Left, i dont agree with the premise to Du val demos, with an example being their em bracement of Glorious Johnson. Its simply because the ducal demos are too small to really have the opportunity to do it. Alvin Brown is getting his new found support from "progressive" republicans, many vocal here. Its up to you to comment on that!
I stand by the irony of the previous posts before me!

[mtraininjax]

Alvin Brown is getting his new found support from "progressive" republicans, many vocal here. Its up to you to comment on that!

Maybe, but its happening behind closed doors. Moran is not what I would consider a republican either, so drop her from the list. What other prominent republicans have come out to champion Brown, locally?

He can't win in his own party, what makes anyone think he can win with help from Republicans, why would any of them defect and go to his aide, when Hogan is a safe choice to preserve their way of life in status quo? Hogan is much more reserved than Peyton was, he was a bad experiment, and we all paid for it. Moran was Peyton-esque, which probably hurt her more than helped her. No one wants 4-8 more years like him.