by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Two City Council members have announced their intentions to become the next Council president when it comes to a vote in July.
As expected, Council vice president Elaine Brown filed a letter of intent Tuesday, only 24 hours after surprise contender Reggie Fullwood did the same.
In a letter addressed to the Council, Fullwood wrote, “As we enter a new year, we will face both challenges and opportunities, and we will need strong, balanced leadership as we continue building a better Jacksonville. Our City Council has a tradition of such leadership, a tradition that I would like to continue as your president in the year 2004/2005.”
Fullwood, who has chaired the Council’s Finance, Public Service and Utilities and Community Development committees, ran for vice president last year before withdrawing.
“This time, I feel like I can get the support I need to win, but I know I’ll need enough time to get it and hold on to it,” said Fullwood of his early announcement. “Last year, I dropped out of the race because I felt I like I didn’t have that, but I expect to have eight signed pledges by next week.”
The announcement came as a surprise to many on the Council, and most declined comment on whether Fullwood would get their vote.
“I can’t say right now,” said Michael Corrigan. “I’ll need to talk with him more so I can get a better idea of what his goals and desires are for the Council.”
Sharon Copeland agreed, calling Fullwood’s campaign a “total and complete shock.”
“I had no idea anyone else was even thinking about running,” said Copeland. “I’ll need to talk to him and Elaine before I can say anything else.”
Fullwood, who plans to hold individual meetings to discuss the matter with others on the Council, said he expects very little, if any, tension in response to his opposition to Brown.
“I wouldn’t think I would get that kind of response,” he said. “I think it’s understood that if you’re Council vice president, you’re not going to automatically become president the following year. You still have to run and you may not win.”
“I don’t want to say it’s common, but it’s happened before. It happened, very recently, with Suzanne Jenkins and it happened to Matt Carlucci before that.”
Brown said she’s unfazed by the competition.
“I can only comment on my intentions to run” she said. “But all year I have been encouraged by my fellow Council members to pursue the presidency and I can only hope they hold true to their word.”
At least one Council member said his plans to back Brown will remain unchanged.
“No question, I’m for Elaine,” said incumbent Council president Lad Daniels. “I’m surprised Reggie decided to run, but I made a commitment a year ago to support her and I’m sticking to it.”