Daily Record Publisher Jim Bailey acknowledges he has been talking with people for months about being a candidate in the 2015 mayoral election.
Florida Times-Union columnist Ron Littlepage reported today that Bailey has told “at least one politico that he’s 110 percent certain” he will challenge Mayor Alvin Brown.
Bailey said he has told people that if key factors he needs to consider align, he would be “110 percent” committed to running.
“I don’t think it’s a surprise to anybody that I’ve been discussing the possibility of being a candidate for a while,” Bailey said. “I’ve been doing my due diligence. I’ve been listening to people. The support has been flattering.”
But, he said, a lot goes in to deciding whether to run.
“My business and my personal life are important factors in that decision,” said Bailey, who also was a candidate in the 2011 mayor’s race before dropping out in December 2010.
For now, he said, “I am not ready to announce my decision.”
City Council member Bill Bishop has filed to challenge Brown. Other potential candidates include Lenny Curry, who recently resigned as chair of the Florida Republican Party, and council President Bill Gulliford.
All three are Republicans, as is Bailey. Brown is a Democrat.
Curry has received the public backing of local businessman Peter Rummell, who helped raise a substantial amount of money for Brown when he faced Republican Mike Hogan in the 2011 runoff.
Brown beat Republicans Audrey Moran and Rick Mullaney to make the runoff.
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