Equality Florida's Action PAC Scores Jax Candidates

[Cheshire Cat]

The Equality PAC supports Bill Bishop for mayor (he's the only candidate in the race thus far to take a clear position on the matter, as incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown and challenger Lenny Curry have avoided specific statements) and for the Council, here's who made their list:

Tommy Hazouri (former mayor, Candidate for At Large Group 3)
Michelle Tappouni (At Large Group 5)
Melody Shacter (District 1)
Lisa King (District 2)
Marc McCullough (District 7)
Terry Fields (District
Lynn Sherman (District
Glorious Johnson (District 9)
Jim Love (District 14).
"It's great that Equality Florida Action PAC has highlighted the human rights record of candidates in the upcoming Jacksonville elections," said Jacksonville lawyer Jimmy Midyette, a prominent voice for the community. "As the statewide organization working on equality for the LGBT community, their continued attention to Jacksonville is most welcome by those of us living here and working on passing an HRO update that includes protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression."

Meanwhile, the e-blast from Equality Florida placed a large red X beside the names of Kimberly Daniels, Matt Schellenberg, Reggie Brown and Doyle Carter, all of whom are running to retain their Council seats and oppose the updated HRO.

For full article clink link:

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/7922

[Cheshire Cat]

There are some things that make me go huh?  lol  In this case it is the endorsement of MarcMcCullough.  This is a man who was labeled by a judge as an habitual offender because of his criminal record.  The folks in that district should keep this info in mind when casting their votes.  Habitual offender and public servant unfortunately seem to go hand and hand these days because the voters permit it or elect corrupt individuals. Why? 

https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-158930946/political-hopefuls-may-have-a-record-some-candidates

[Jtetlak]

Unfortunately this is another case where money makes the difference. There are pro-HRO candidates, including James Eddy who is the only openly gay candidate, who did not receive this endorsement because they are not "financially viable." Voters should be wary of basing their votes on the endorsements that candidates have received, most local groups have minimum campaign fund thresholds in place and will not endorse candidates who have not met those requirements.

[tufsu1]

I have a hard time seeing how Marc McCullough is "financially viable". 

[vicupstate]

What is considered a 'viable' amount of money to run a city council race?

I seem to remember that Clay Yarbrough won with little money but lots of 'shoe leather'. 

[Dog Walker]

Bill Bishop reiterated his support for the HRO amendment in no uncertain terms at a "meet & greet" event at Rain Dogs in 5 Points last night.

[Jtetlak]

Great question @vicupstate, each organization has it's own way of determining a candidate's viability. For some it's $5000, for others it's a percentage of what their opponent has raised, but in any case I think many voters would be surprised to find out that candidates who are more aligned with an organization's core beliefs are not always the ones who get endorsed. A great example is James Eddy not getting the backing of Equality Florida. Endorsements have great influence with the group's members and with the general public, and I think it's important that the voters are aware of how the process truly works.

[bill]

So his qualifications are being a thief, felon, wife beater and not paying his debts? Impressive.

[bill]

So his qualifications are being a thief, felon, wife beater and not paying his debts? Impressive.

Sounds like half of the national republican caucus doesn't it?

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/02/deadbeat-dad-ex-rep-joe-walsh-threatens
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/01/gop-wife-beater-running-against-susan
http://wonkette.com/213183/good-bye-to-the-pennsylvania-strangler
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/20/maureen-mcdonnell-corruption-trial-sentencing/23728483/

But people change and reform themselves, bill.

Perhaps you could try it sometime.

Manners stevie!  Remember your civility.

Since he is not very good at the theft, drug dealing, paying debts kinda thing maybe a new line of work is in order.

[Cheshire Cat]

I was hoping these threads would not dissolve into a tit for tat i.e. this party as compared to that party.  I want to focus on local politics and the people who are asking to be elected to represent us.  Stephen, I do understand that people change, even those who are deemed "habitual offenders" by a judge.  I just would rather their second, third and fourth chances at rehabilitation are not attempted while a person is entrusted to a public office.  Simply put voters are interviewing candidates for an important job. The job should demand impeccable qualities when it comes to honesty and criminal background.  No human resource officer of a large corporation worth their salt would consider an unproven candidate with his background for employment in a top position of trust.  Again, the voters have to get away from this notion that a candidate should be measured by being a "heck of a nice guy or gal".  It is not a personality contest though some believe nice means trustworthy.  Some of the best cons around are nice and charismatic folks when you meet them.  I don't want to go down the road of convoluted back and forth banter about this man or others.  His record is a there for all to see and read.  The voters get to decide. If I were to cast a vote in that district this man would be a definite no for the many reasons I listed above.  The people of Jacksonville, especially those in struggling districts need top notch representation by honest, informed, experienced people of integrity.

[Cheshire Cat]

I appreciate your view Stephen, I just don't agree.  In this case it will be up to the voters to choose and hopefully some of the views, insight and information shared in these threads will help them do that.   

[Cheshire Cat]

Great question @vicupstate, each organization has it's own way of determining a candidate's viability. For some it's $5000, for others it's a percentage of what their opponent has raised, but in any case I think many voters would be surprised to find out that candidates who are more aligned with an organization's core beliefs are not always the ones who get endorsed. A great example is James Eddy not getting the backing of Equality Florida. Endorsements have great influence with the group's members and with the general public, and I think it's important that the voters are aware of how the process truly works.

This is absolutely correct as is the previous comment about financial value and endorsements.  We have seen the result of that made manifest at the top levels of our government which has created a broken system of representation.  Jacksonville is a mirror of that on a local scale.  Again it goes back to this long held belief that financial campaign viability of a candidate is an appropriate measure of their value.  That is a false presumption because campaign funding is a measure of much more than the candidates integrity or experience and what it sometimes measures is not a good thing at all.  We have moved all to far away from evaluating each candidate for office based upon integrity, experience and competence and replaced that with views of charisma or financial worth.  For this reason we see fewer and fewer excellent individuals who would be super representatives of the people they would serve not even step into the political process in that many see the outcome as a foregone conclusion based upon money and associated power.

[Jtetlak]

+1

[Cheshire Cat]

I would agree however exposing ones past criminal record is not an attack on their character, is important information that voters should have when considering electing any person to a position of trust.