As a reader service, the Daily Record plans to present daily information about candidates on the ballot in the spring election. The information is scheduled to be published in advance of early voting, which begins March 7 in Duval County. The Daily Record sent the same questions to council candidates and will publish their e-mailed responses. Candidates were given a word limit. Responses that exceeded it are edited for space.
| The candidates say... | What is the single most important issue facing your district? | What are the most pressing problems facing the City? | Would you support new taxes or fees to improve the port and/or Downtown? | Why should district constituents elect you? |
| Richard Clark (incumbent) Republican | The impact of the economy. The City continues to increase the burden on the taxpayer while people are struggling. We need to decrease the burden on business and individuals so that the businesses in our city can begin to grow and hire again. The people in District 3 and Jacksonville need to be able to get back to work. | The growth of our government at the expense of the taxpayer. We must reduce the size of our City government and live within our means. We need to make Jacksonville the best place to start, own and operate a business so that we can get our citizens back to work. | The only way I would support any increase is if it were put on a ballot for the taxpayers to decide. | I originally ran for office on a platform of conservative leadership. I have voted that way consistently. I voted against all three fees and both property tax increases. I offered cuts to the budget that would have saved tens of millions of dollars, but they were rejected. I run a small business and understand the sacrifices that are necessary in today’s economy; because, like everyone else in our city, I have had to sacrifice both in my business and in my home. |
| Mario Rubio Republican | The increase in taxes. | Increased taxes and spending, crime and safety and the economy and jobs. | Only if approved by the voters. | I believe our best years are ahead of us if we make the right decisions. I believe that my business experience and my community involvement places me in a unique position to make the right decisions to create an environment that stimulates economic growth, reduce taxes and improve the quality of life for all of our citizens. |