by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The partner of local pollster Bruce Barcelo for over a decade, senior political consultant Michele Jones said she found her career by accident.
“It was pure chance,” said Jones, a Jacksonville resident for over 20 years. “Bruce was an acquaintance of mine when he mentioned that he needed help running Tillie Fowler’s campaign in 1992.
“I made it pretty clear that I could do the job and that I was very interested in it.”
With no prior political experience, Jones said she balanced working on the Fowler campaign with a full-time job and ongoing college courses.
“It wasn’t easy,” said Jones, “but it was definitely worth it because I eventually developed a passion for politics and campaigns.”
It was that passion that Jones eventually applied to winning campaigns for former Mayor John Delaney — “Bruce said I wouldn’t have a life for six months and he was right,” she said — Clerk of the Courts Jim Fuller, City Council president Elaine Brown and Supervisor of Elections John Stafford.
“It can be demanding, but I guess what really keeps my job exciting is the fact that every campaign is unique and challenging in its own way,” she said. “The goal is always going to be to win the election, but attaining that goal requires something different from candidate to candidate.”
And what’s it like working for Barcelo?
“What can I say?” she said. “Bruce has been wonderful to work for for a very long time. He’s very patient with me and I think we understand each other.
“He’s a father figure to me and I can ask him anything at any time. He’s always said from day one that no question is ever stupid and I’ve appreciated that.”
So what’s next for Jones?
“It’s hard to say,” she said. “I love my job and I don’t think many people can say that and mean it. There’s no other place I could see myself going any time soon, but if the right opportunity comes along, who knows?”