by Glenn Tschimpke
Staff Writer
Where other Democratic candidates have struggled to gain traction in the gubernatorial race, Bill McBride has found a solid foothold in Duval County.
Jacksonville, which has been a strong supporter of Gov. Jeb Bush — at least financially — practically ignored Janet Reno, McBride’s stiffest Democratic opponent, when she visited in March. McBride, on the other hand, has fared better, both in financial support and general interest.
So far he has lured some of Duval County’s most prominent Democrats into his corner, namely, State Attorney Harry Shorstein and City Council vice president Suzanne Jenkins. Shorstein and Jenkins currently co-chair McBride’s Duval County campaign efforts. Shorstein has been on the job for months; Jenkins joined a week ago. The two function as local ambassadors for McBride during the campaign, attending functions, collecting donations and advocating the Tampa lawyer.
“He’s just an extraordinary person,” said Shorstein, who served in the Marine Corps with McBride. “He’s running for governor for all the right reasons. He obviously had a very successful law practice and managed an internationally prominent law firm. He’s given law up for the sole purpose of helping the people of Florida and concentrating on what I consider to be the most critical issue — the education of our children. To me, he’s just everything you would want from a candidate.”
McBride, once the managing partner of Holland & Knight, put his legal career on hold to pursue his first political office.
“He has what I consider the pulse of Florida,” said Jenkins. “He understands it. He’s from here. When you see him speak and you listen to what he says, he knows the subject, which is the state, the people within the state and the issues in the state. He wants to be part of making sure we have the best state in the nation. I want to be a part of that.”
Still, name recognition is what Reno has and McBride covets. With his military background, Shorstein said it would be no surprise if McBride played his Marine Corps service big in Jacksonville, which is home to two Navy bases.
“We’re a very pro-military town because of the Navy,” he said. “It’s not really a matter of playing it [the military card]. But if you were a part of it, you’re just telling the truth about your record. I’m partial, of course, to the Marine Corps. And very seriously, you don’t have to be a Marine war hero to be a good governor. But this day and age, it sure doesn’t hurt. It’s balance and a better understanding of the people you serve, particularly in the times that we’re facing now. I’m not saying you can’t be governor if you didn’t serve your country.”
The military is generally regarded as a Republican-leaning group. Shorstein hinted that military members may ignore McBride’s Democratic trappings and go with a fellow serviceman anyway.
“It is a Republican group, on one hand,” he said. “But I tell you, the Marines are a very close fraternity, as is the whole naval service. I think there’s a great mutual respect, not just with the Marines and the Navy, but among all service personnel.”
Improving education, the foundation of McBride’s campaign, ranks high amongvoters’ top concerns in recent polls. Jenkins is critical of Bush’s track record on education.
“I have a major problem with [Bush’s] education issues, on vouchers, what’s happening to the state of education in this nation,” she said. “In the State of Florida, we’re in the bottom tier. I want it to improve and I haven’t seen that happen in these last four years.”
Thus, she supports McBride, who promises more funding for schools and smaller class sizes.
“I like his chances in North Florida, which is very conservative,” she said. “I’m conservative at heart and I think why he appeals to me is that he does care and he’s very thoughtful.”