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

Actually this is so close to a sleazy claim that we might have to start confining AG's posts to his own website and not dignifying them here.

During the Q&A period of the event, Gaffney was asked if Alvin Brown had pressured him, in 2012, to vote against the HRO measure; Gaffney was the deciding vote.

"There was pressure to not vote for it," Gaffney said, echoing allegations made by Denise Lee to this reporter that rumors were that Mayor Brown pushed Gaffney not to vote for it, that rumors were that "Johnny Gaffney was pressured to change his mind", and that rumors said that he would veto it if it passed (an echo of persistent rumors since 2012).

an apparent confirmation of an echo of rumors?  Come on, tacachale, you should be above this.

That's an interesting response given your posts today lambasting Curry for various perceived Republican evils.

I wouldn't keep banging the drum on this if I didn't think there was something to it. Again, I said I'd let it go if we got a direct denial from Mayor Brown about whether he talked to Gaffney about flipping his HRO vote in 2012. Did you ever get a response from the mayor?

For what it's worth, I'm not impressed by Gaffney or his endorsement. I posted this because (1) the endorsement itself is as noteworthy as the other soon-to-be-former council members who've endorsed Brown, and (2) I like to stir the pot on the issue of the potential HRO shenanigans.

[Tacachale]

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.

So, Jimmy, which do you think is accurate?

[Tacachale]

It's hard not to, you're very good at grabbing attention

[Jax native]

Gaffney was pressured by someone, but I don't believe it was Mayor Brown himself, but his vote was for sale.  Many black churches were pressuring black council members, knowing they have an enormous influence on voting.   The same as his endorsement is for sale.  Curry needs a black man standing somewhere near him and has none so far. 

[Jimmy]

So, Jimmy, which do you think is accurate?

The truth may be somewhere in the middle.  Maybe the pressure was applied from elsewhere?  Or maybe Johnny was telling the truth that there was no pressure and he was genuinely confused by his votes.  But JG still went to FBC for his victory lap.  MAB never got a word of credit or praise from the right-wing that I know of.  Then again, HRO supporters didn't have much praise for him either.  He kept his powder dry.  And here we are.

[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

I wonder if anyone thinks anything like this ever happened?

Yep. Pretty much everyone she can read between the lines.