by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Calling the recent endorsement of Mayor John Peyton by the Fraternal Order of Police “sobering,” mayoral candidate Mike Weinstein officially dropped out of the race for mayor Monday afternoon.
Weinstein said the endorsement “made the mountain steeper” and would have required a more negative campaign — something he didn’t want from the beginning. He entered the race in October and held a big rally at the Osborn Center shortly after the Nov. 7 election. Weinstein said he recently realized issues facing Jacksonville — escalating murder- and high school- dropout rates, homelessness and race relations, just to name a few — exceeded the need to run a negative campaign and further divide the city.
He also said the job of being mayor is “tremendously difficult” and added American politics are hard enough, especially for executives who run local governments.
“This was not his [Peyton’s] idea,” said Weinstein during a news conference on the steps of City Hall. “I called him a few days ago and asked if we could say a few words together.”
Peyton said having Weinstein’s support is good for the city as a whole.
“I am humbled and gratified to have his support,” said Peyton, who narrowly edged Weinstein in the Republican primary in 2003. “I look forward to helping Mike with whatever he pursues. There are a lot of great things going in the city and the fundamentals are there.
“I look forward to working with Mike. I have appreciated his courtesy and open dialogue since the first election. A contentious, negative campaign would not have been good for the city.”
Weinstein said his backers have expressed their feelings.
“Most from the start knew how difficult the task was going to be,” said Weinstein, who will continue as president of nonprofit organization Take Stock in Children. “They were willing to support me if I thought it was best for the community. They have mixed feelings like I do.
“I don’t feel comfortable using other people’s time and money on an effort that’s not doable at this time.”
Weinstein said he doesn’t regret not entering the race earlier and there is no agreement in place for Peyton to support him in four years. (Peyton, due to term limits, will not be able to run for mayor again in 2011.)
“It’s never been brought up or discussed,” said Weinstein, adding he hasn’t given any thought to running in 2011. “In politics, a lot can happen in a couple of days.”
One person happy with Weinstein’s decision is local Republican Chairman Mike Hightower, who has been serving as finance chair of Peyton’s re-election campaign. Hightower has helped Peyton raise over $2 million. However, he has maintained he would get out of the picture if a viable Republican candidate qualified for mayor.
“Mike, once again, has put the city’s interests above his wants. That is typical Mike Weinstein,” said Hightower. “He’s a good community leader and I congratulate him on being gracious. It looks like I don’t have to speculate. This shows the city is coming together.”