Gaffney endorses Curry, says there was "pressure" from Brown to oppose 2012 HRO

[Tacachale]

Johnny Gaffney has endorsed Lenny Curry. He criticized Alvin Brown's lack of leadership on issues in Northwest Jax and on the Human Rights Ordinance. Most interestingly, he seemed to confirm the long-standing rumors that Brown pressured him to flip his vote and opposethe HRO in 2012.

For newcomers, Gaffney was the deciding vote that defeated the HRO. It was shocking, as he'd always been supportive of LGBT issues before and had even voted for a stronger version of the HRO in committee.

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/182677

[bill]

Johnny Gaffney has endorsed Lenny Curry. He criticized Alvin Brown's lack of leadership on issues in Northwest Jax and on the Human Rights Ordinance. Most interestingly, he seemed to confirm the long-standing rumors that Brown pressured him to flip his vote and opposethe HRO in 2012.

For newcomers, Gaffney was the deciding vote that defeated the HRO. It was shocking, as he'd always been supportive of LGBT issues before and had even voted for a stronger version of the HRO in committee.

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/182677

I thought it was defeated 17 to 2?

[bill]

Johnny Gaffney has endorsed Lenny Curry. He criticized Alvin Brown's lack of leadership on issues in Northwest Jax and on the Human Rights Ordinance. Most interestingly, he seemed to confirm the long-standing rumors that Brown pressured him to flip his vote and opposethe HRO in 2012.

For newcomers, Gaffney was the deciding vote that defeated the HRO. It was shocking, as he'd always been supportive of LGBT issues before and had even voted for a stronger version of the HRO in committee.

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/182677

He is the most homophobic, racist republican evah

[Bill Hoff]

And on the same day, Alberta Hipps endorses Brown.

Strange times.

[fieldafm]

And on the same day, Alberta Hipps endorses Brown.

Strange times.

Alberta Hipps' largest client: Toney Sleiman. Stephen Joost's business partner: also Toney Sleiman.

Not so strange times when you look beneath the surface, people have agendas

Alberta Hipps also once claimed during a CPAC meeting that Westsiders must support the Mobility Fee moratorium, otherwise Cecil Field would lose its competitive edge. Nevermind the fact that Cecil has enough mobility fee credits stored up to last for the next 30 years or so.

[tufsu1]

perhaps even more importantly Matt Carlucci also endorsed Brown.

as for the Gaffney endorsement, I applaud Curry for finally reaching out to the northside of the community.  But for those who criticized Bishop's endorsement of Brown as maneuvering for a job, the same could be said here.  After all, Gaffney is an out-of-work Councilman who stepped down to run for a state house seat that he didn't win.

btw, there is at least one potential major endorsement still on the sidelines....should be interesting next week.

[fieldafm]

Johnny Gaffney has endorsed Lenny Curry. He criticized Alvin Brown's lack of leadership on issues in Northwest Jax and on the Human Rights Ordinance. Most interestingly, he seemed to confirm the long-standing rumors that Brown pressured him to flip his vote and opposethe HRO in 2012.

For newcomers, Gaffney was the deciding vote that defeated the HRO. It was shocking, as he'd always been supportive of LGBT issues before and had even voted for a stronger version of the HRO in committee.

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/182677

Yeah, all the Lenny Curry supporters I know (and I do know LOTS) are just DYING for issues in Northwest Jax to be addressed; they really, really care about this issue and I am sure Curry will work SO hard to help that section of town.




Sike.

Sarcasm aside, Northwest Jax needs serious attention. I'm not particularly moved by Gaffney's endorsement (neither am I impressed with endoresments from Bishop, Joost, etc- they all have agendas), but what he says is 100% accurate in that Northwest Jax suffers from systematic, long-term disinvestment.

Whoever is in office needs to reverse that trend.

[strider]

I suspect that this endorsement has far more to do with the fact that Corrine Brown has withdrawn her support from the Gaffney's than much else.

[Tacachale]

Johnny Gaffney has endorsed Lenny Curry. He criticized Alvin Brown's lack of leadership on issues in Northwest Jax and on the Human Rights Ordinance. Most interestingly, he seemed to confirm the long-standing rumors that Brown pressured him to flip his vote and opposethe HRO in 2012.

For newcomers, Gaffney was the deciding vote that defeated the HRO. It was shocking, as he'd always been supportive of LGBT issues before and had even voted for a stronger version of the HRO in committee.

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/182677

Yeah, all the Lenny Curry supporters I know (and I do know LOTS) are just DYING for issues in Northwest Jax to be addressed; they really, really care about this issue and I am sure Curry will work SO hard to help that section of town.




Sike.

Sarcasm aside, Northwest Jax needs serious attention. I'm not particularly moved by Gaffney's endorsement (neither am I impressed with endoresments from Bishop, Joost, etc- they all have agendas), but what he says is 100% accurate in that Northwest Jax suffers from systematic, long-term disinvestment.

Whoever is in office needs to reverse that trend.

Yes, most definitely.

[Tacachale]

perhaps even more importantly Matt Carlucci also endorsed Brown.

as for the Gaffney endorsement, I applaud Curry for finally reaching out to the northside of the community.  But for those who criticized Bishop's endorsement of Brown as maneuvering for a job, the same could be said here.  After all, Gaffney is an out-of-work Councilman who stepped down to run for a state house seat that he didn't win.

btw, there is at least one potential major endorsement still on the sidelines....should be interesting next week.

Okay, so if this were a race between who can pull in the most endorsements from people wanting a job, Brown would be winning. Not sure what your point is.

[Tacachale]

I'd also like to hear Brown supporters' thoughts on Gaffney's statements that he was under pressure to flip his vote and oppose the HRO.

[Jax native]

Gaffney's endorsement of Lenny Curry; ""In the last week, over a series of conversations, I decided to pull the trigger," Gaffney added."

It's a shame he pulled that trigger at Currys campaign.  His endorsement of anything renders it dead. 

[Jimmy]

Was Johnny lying to the press then or is he lying to the press now?  Because in 2012, he was insulted and offended by the question of pressure on the HRO vote.

There have absolutely been rumors and denials about what pressure was applied.  And in the past I believed some pressure came from somewhere (and always assumed it was the Mayor).  Anyway, in whatever event, JG lied then or now.  So who can believe him anyway?

I think it's a net-negative for Curry, actually.  You take the endorsement of a known liar who is on the outs with the Democratic party and may be looking for retribution... and a new gig come July.  Yeah, this was not Curry's finest play for support.  Didn't Reggie Fullwood whoop him something like 4-1 in their primary?

But back on track, Warren Jones came out with a pretty strong statement last night.  Where Johnny Gaffney has ZERO credibility on the HRO, Warren Jones as the bill sponsor has much more credibility, IMHO. 

"It is incredibly disappointing that Johnny Gaffney has chosen to put his political career first in making these accusations. I have no reason to believe that there is any truth in these claims [of being pressured by the Mayor's Office to vote against the bill]. I highly question Johnny's credibility on this issue since he not only flip flopped on passing the HRO, but repeatedly said afterwards that he received no pressure to do so," Jones said.

"The fact is that Alvin Brown is the only candidate in this race who is taking the steps necessary to prevent discrimination in Jacksonville. Lenny Curry, on the other hand, continues to say there is no need for an HRO because he naively believes discrimination doesn't exist," Jones added.

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/182781


Refresher: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-08-16/story/jacksonville-councilman-after-human-rights-vote-he-was-confused-voted

Were you pressured in any way by anyone?

Absolutely not. That's insulting. I did what I did because I felt that way. That's my convictions.

[Cheshire Cat]

Gaffney is a political non-entity these days and he has earned that status.  He was looking for a way to put himself in the spotlight and Curry needed a Black democrat for photo ops.  That's all this is really.  Will Gaffney standing next to Curry win him votes? Pfffftttt.  Won't even be a blip on the voting radar. lol

[Overstreet]

............  But for those who criticized ......... endorsement of _____ as maneuvering for a job, the same could be said here. .............

Isn't that what the candidates are doing?  Maneuvering for a job?