by Rachel Witkowski
Staff Writer
A third candidate entered the race for City Council Dist. 6 Monday and he may have a slight advantage over the other two. Bob Baughman is an employee of the City of Jacksonville and he has the backing of current Dist. 6 representative Sharon Copeland, who isn’t seeking re-election.
Baughman has 22 years experience with the City and is former director of the parks and recreation department. He is the first candidate that Copeland has publicly supported since she decided not to run for Council in the spring.
“I can hit the ground and work up immediately and I already know how to read an agenda,” said Baughman, who added that his campaign will focus on quality of life issues. “I believe I can start working for the Mandarin residents my very first day in office.”
Copeland wouldn’t say that Baughman was hand-picked, but did say he has indicated he’ll continue many of her projects and initiatives.
“He’s got the experience and I know he has the work ethic,” said Copeland. “I have started a lot of good things and I know he’ll finish them. I have the confidence he will do it and it would be wonderful to have a seamless transition.”