Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland announced this morning he will run for property appraiser in the 2015 election.
He is term-limited, as is the current property appraiser, Jim Overton.
Holland's background includes being a general contractor and being licensed as a real estate broker and appraiser.
He believes those skills, plus the administrative and management experience he's gained as elections supervisor, make him qualified for the office. "It really feels comfortable moving there," he said.
Holland said he wanted to announce his decision early for a couple of reasons, including ending speculation that he might challenge Mayor Alvin Brown in 2015.
He believes the selection of a strong candidate to run against Brown will include getting a consensus "of a lot of groups," which may not happen until late summer. That was too late for him to decide on his next move.
"In politics, you have to match your experience to the opportunity available," he said. "The open seat (as property appraiser) was the best opportunity."
But, he said, "The Mayor's Office would be an exciting challenge, and one I'd love to do."
Holland said he talked with Overton and senior staff members about the property appraiser's office.
One of the challenges Overton's replacement will have is working to retain appraisers who may be lured back to the private sector now that the real estate market is improving, Holland said.
Holland won a special election in 2005 to replace John Stafford, who died while in office. Holland was elected again in 2007 and 2011.
Before that, he was on the City Council from 1999-2005, including serving as president in 2002-03.
@editormarilyn
(904) 356-2466