by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Former mayoral candidate Mike Weinstein met recently with various public relation firms and polling agencies to explore a bid for the state attorney’s job.
If Weinstein, a Republican, decides to enter the race, he would challenge Harry Shorstein, a Democrat incumbent for 13 years.
Weinstein, a former executive director in the State Attorney’s Office, last mounted a political platform in 2003 as part of a bid to become mayor. However, he was eliminated in the primaries when he finished third to Mayor John Peyton.
Last fall, Weinstein served as a liaison from Peyton’s office to help coordinate Super Bowl-related activities, though he left the position after less than four months.
Peyton declined comment, but sources close to Weinstein speculated his resignation from that post may have served as an early indicator of his intentions to run against Shorstein.
“I know he’s interested in running. That’s no secret,” said Bruce Barcelo, a local political consultant. “But anyone who has worked in the State Attorney’s Office has probably had similar thoughts about it.
“That’s a more sought after job over there than being mayor is.”
Barcelo added Weinstein would be a “credible” Republican candidate and present a strong opposition to Shorstein.
“There’s definitely a strong Republican surge in Duval County right now,” said Barcelo. “And it’s only going to get stronger in November.”
However, Barcelo said Shorstein’s experience and name recognition would make him difficult to defeat.
“Harry’s done a good job and people know that,” he said.
Lobbyist Michael Munz agreed.
“I’ve talked to (Weinstein) about it and I’ve been very clear that I think it’s very unwise to run against Harry,” he said. “He’s done a good job of maintaining law and order and people recognize him as being a reputable state attorney.”
Munz, vice president of strategic communications with the Dalton Agency, helped coordinate much of Weinstein’s mayoral bid, but said the firm would not take Weinstein or any other state attorney candidate as a client if asked.
“Frankly, with (Shorstein’s) record in the polls, it would be very, very expensive and require a lot of effort for him to win. This isn’t the right race for him.”
Paul McCormick of The McCormick Agency confirmed Weinstein was considering running, but said no decision has been made.
“It’s being explored,” he said. “If I was a betting man, I’d say it’s 50/50 right now, but he has a lot to consider. It’s a long process you have to go through before you can make a decision of whether or not to campaign.
“This is a critical time.”
If asked, McCormick said the firm would consider handling Weinstein’s press relations.
Weinstein could not be reached for comment.