Jax Chamber: No Endorsement For Mayor

[Jimmy]

It's coming over the internets that JaxBiz, the political arm of the chamber, has declined to make an endorsement in the Mayoral race.

I think that's a mistake.

But, since the conventional wisdom would have given that endorsement to Hogan, I think their silence speaks volumes and credit to Brown.

Weak tea:

JAXBIZ Encourages Members to Become Fully Informed
   
    JAXBIZ has reviewed the statements and records of the two remaining mayoral candidates, Alvin Brown and Mike Hogan. The JAXBIZ Executive Committee commends each candidate for a significant business focus and recognizes the appeal of each to portions of the Chamber membership. Therefore,  JAXBIZ has chosen not to endorse a mayoral candidate for the May 17 General Election but, instead, is encouraging Chamber members to become fully informed about the candidates’ positions and how  those positions align with Chamber priorities for economic development and local prosperity. We will be providing information to our members soon on the candidates’ positions along with an outline of Chamber priorities.
    “As we work to overcome one of the most challenging economic periods of our history, the next mayor will need to address critical issues and help create jobs,” said Kelly Madden, 2011 JAXBIZ Chair.  “Both mayoral candidates indicated support for growing jobs and supporting small businesses.”

[JeffreyS]

This is good news for Brown's camp and bad for Hogan's. I don't mean to overstate this though the silence won't be noticed by most voters.

[Timkin]

I wonder why no endorsement either way? I did read the article but if normally they would weigh in one way or another, I have to ponder their reasoning .

[vicupstate]

The reason there is no endorsement is that their is not a general consensus among their membership, or at least the part of the membership that decides who gets endorsed.

Normally, a conservative Republican would have the inside track for this type of endorsement, so that fact that he didn't get it, shows Hogan is lacking support from a sector that would typical be in his corner.   

If JaxBiz had endorsed Brown, it would have been a huge win for him.  As it is, it is a smaller win for Brown, but a still a win.   

[tufsu1]

yes..I heard about this late last week...considering the leadership of the Chamber is strongly Republican, a non-endorsement should be seen as a slight to Hogan and a bonus to Brown

[mtraininjax]

yes..I heard about this late last week...considering the leadership of the Chamber is strongly Republican, a non-endorsement should be seen as a slight to Hogan and a bonus to Brown

LOL, when they voted to support Moran who was a democrat in hiding, then decide to not support the "moderate Brown", you can spin it anyway you like. They never liked Hogan, but they did not like Brown enough to consider him which is the real shocker!!!!!

[tufsu1]

talk about spin!

[Jimmy]

mtrain can't help it.  He's been stuck on the spin cycle for quite some time.

[mtraininjax]

Spin this, JCCI member Peter Rummell comes out on the attack, and why not, JCCI is an extension of the Chamber of Commerce, who tonight could not pick a candidate to endorse.

Talk about a cluster of a race!

[Jimmy]

Spin this, JCCI member

I think you mean JCC.  Get out of the spin cycle, man.  I think something is getting scrambled.

[Timkin]

o my

[mtraininjax]

Jimmy - Thanks, he spoke to JCCI, but he is with JCC.

[tufsu1]

Jimmy - Thanks, he spoke to JCCI, but he is with JCC.

yes...I would think someone with such vast knowledge of Jacksonville would know the difference between JCC and JCCI

[Timkin]

Jimmy - Thanks, he spoke to JCCI, but he is with JCC.

yes...I would think someone with such vast knowledge of Jacksonville would know the difference between JCC and JCCI

Vast indeed

[Steve_Lovett]

Spin this, JCCI member Peter Rummell comes out on the attack, and why not, JCCI is an extension of the Chamber of Commerce, who tonight could not pick a candidate to endorse.

Talk about a cluster of a race!

Your facts are incorrect.

The Jacksonville Civic Council (JCC, not JCCI) is not an extension of the Chamber of Commerce.  During the Chamber Leadership Trip to Kansas City in 2009, the effective work of the Kansas City Civic Council was studied.  Inspired by what was learned, following the trip (but outside of the structure of the Chamber) a group (many included in the former Non-group) created a similar organization here in Jacksonville.

While there are many members of the Civic Council who are also members of the Chamber, and vice-versa, the two organizations are not connected in any formal, structural way. 

I suspect that there are several members of the Civic Council, and individuals within the Chamber (and JaxBiz) who have strong and differing personal opinions with respect to candidate endorsements, etc.  I don't think this is a matter of "spin", or whatever.  Peter Rummell, as an individual, doesn't need consensus - but JaxBiz as an organization does.