Runoff Election May 17, 2011, Master Thread. Observations and Updates

[Jimmy]

Alvin Brown's team has moved into a "count every vote" posture.  Democratic election lawyer and stalwart Leslie Goller has been keeping her eye on the canvassing board and its work.

Once all the votes are counted, and recounted if necessary, Alvin feels confident that he'll be certified as the winner.  Aside from that, not a lot new to report yet this morning.

[fsujax]

I really hope this doesn't turn into a recount nightmare! I dont want my joy spoiled by any negativity.

[Jimmy]

That's my hope as well.  I think Alvin will have enough votes from the counting to avoid that.  Hogan can certainly concede at any point if he's serious about saving the taxpayer the approximately $100K it would cost to recount.  If Brown is over the recount threshold, Hogan can still request one, but then he's on the hook for the cost instead of the taxpayer.

[FayeforCure]

I guess the urban core does matter.

Yay for that!!

But I concur with Jimmy that it was a whole bunch of groups finally pulling together.

Let me add that we probably saw a larger turnout of women too..............with that war on women in Tallahassee, women have grown weary of ultra-conservative rule.

I couldn't believe those numbers last night...........went to the movies with my hot date at 9 PM, and Hogan was still leading. What made it worse was that when I asked at the theater if they knew the latest results...........I got a smug reply that Mike Hogan was in the lead..........no mention of Alvin at all.

I replied with disappoval saying that I had hoped we would be going in a new direction in Jacksonville.

So first thing I did when I got home was check those numbers again...........and yay for us!!!!

Alvin had turned things around. I am sooooooo happy this morning. It is beyond belief. I was getting ready to check out CA again........since I just couldn't stand things going from bad to worse in FL and then in Jax too. Now I am staying put and will be enjoying the city I finally grew roots. I even had 3 grandchildren born here.........it would have been hard to leave

[ubben]

I would love to have watched homophobe Clay Yarborough's face as he watched Hogan's numbers come in. It's a shame his sad, decaying district elected him again, but his face must have been ashen realizing his future as Bigot In Waiting was taking a big hit. The tide has turned, people. We can demand more and the Hogan-Yarborough-First Baptist Church days of running the show without push back are long gone. Go Alvin. Bring it home!

[sheclown]

Good summary Stephen.

Voters owe Metrojacksonville a huge thank you for the years of election coverage.

[PeeJayEss]

That's the kind of election that reminds you that your vote actually does matter.

No matter who comes out on top, the election was the easy part. The hard work is ahead.

Let's just hope its Alvin, so that work is a little easier.
I'm down with Brown.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Another reason this is not such a defeat for the Tea Party: they did pretty well in council races, knocking off Jack Webb in Mandarin. 

Whatever helps you sleep at night...Getting 8,800 votes against another Republican in a conservative area isn't exactly a victory.

Maybe the local Tea Party should start to focus more of its efforts on Lake City, Palatka, Waldo, etc and let the big boys and girls in the big city play.

I'm not sure that all Tea Party candidates ought to be grouped together in a local election, though.  There's a big difference between pro-union, anti-core Mike Hogan and pro-core, pro-preservation, fiscal conservative Robin Lumb.

[copperfiend]

Wow, it's a beautiful morning in the River City

[PeeJayEss]

Not to take anything away from Hogan's remarks last night, but Browns are better and more telling:

"We want to made sure every vote is counted," Brown told his supporters. "We as a city will get the results together and unite the city behind the winner."

I believe he truly cares about this city's future, whether he's mayor or not.

edited

[Jimmy]

You can follow the action at the Supervisor of Elections office here: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/timothy-gibbons/2011-05-18/live-blog-who-will-be-next-mayor-jacksonville

[knhknh]

Apparently any site connected to jacksonville.com is doa right now.  

EDIT - gibbons blog just popped up.

[Coolyfett]

Thanks for the advice, coolyfett, Ive managed all my life without it however, I think I can manage a few more years.

Its not in my nature to bash anyone, and in fact Ive often had to remind you of that yourself.  However, I will enjoy hearing Mtrain and BigGuy how on earth this could have possibly happened.

Enjoy...its interesting you have the Power to make them hide now.

On Topic...In the history of Jax has there ever been a recount? Has there ever been a race with this much drama or this close?

[Coolyfett]

Did this thread break any records??? This thing is dumb long!! Ha ha ha ha!

[Captain Zissou]

Not to take anything away from Hogan's remarks last night, but:

"We want to made sure every vote is counted," Brown told his supporters. "We as a city will get the results together and unite the city behind the winner."

How telling. I believe he truly cares about this city's future, whether he's mayor or not.

[/sarcasm]

*This post brought to you by Bold City 1901 Red Ale. (check my post count)