by Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor
First Coast Tea Party leaders will decide in the next few days whether to endorse candidates in the spring elections and, if so, who.
“The board will meet this weekend and we will determine if we are going to endorse,” said Billie Tucker, executive director of the party.
Tucker told the more than 250 people at a candidate forum Thursday night that the party has been interviewing candidates and the ratings for City Council hopefuls are posted at its online site, www.fctpcommunity.org.
She said video interviews are being posted, too. The site shows a posting and link for “Duval County Elections Information and Questionnaire on all Candidates,” although access is limited to those who create an account and sign in.
Tucker spoke before and after a 90-minute forum Thursday night that featured two candidates for tax collector and three mayoral candidates.
Republican mayoral candidates Mike Hogan and Rick Mullaney sparred over several issues, including Mullaney’s frequent references to his 34-point plan to shrink government, grow jobs and improve the City.
“I’m a Westsider,” said Hogan. “I have a two-point plan.”
Hogan and Mullaney both stressed their fiscal conservatism.
“I will not increase taxes or fees. I will not spend more than we take in,” said Hogan.
Mullaney said he would cut spending and not raise taxes and urged voters to read his plan. “A two-point plan is not enough,” he said.
“The future is hanging in the balance,” he said. “This is the economic crisis of a lifetime.”
In his opening statement, Lee said he was “a very conservative Democrat” and pledged to run a government of transparency, accountability and equality.
Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland, who moderated the forum, asked questions of the candidates submitted by the forum attendees.
The candidates were asked what persons or entities were their three largest campaign contributors, with Lee providing the levity of the evening.
Repeating that he was the unfunded candidate, he responded “me, myself and I.”
Mayoral candidates Audrey Moran, a Republican, Alvin Brown, a Democrat, and Steve Irvine, no party affiliation, were not at the forum.
Tax collector candidates Dick Kravitz and Ryan Taylor akso took part. There was a place at the table for Michael Corrigan, the remaining candidate for tax collector, but he did not attend.
The party held a straw poll. Holland’s office will tabulate the responses today.
Several other candidates attended the event. Sheriff John Rutherford was invited to the microphone and asked for the endorsement of the First Coast Tea Party.
Property Appraiser Jim Overton attended, as well as hopefuls for other seats.
Tucker urged members to participate in events.
The party plans a “Rally in Tally: Save our State” 7 a.m.-5 p.m. March 8 in Tallahassee. The group will gather at the Capitol building, front and back, “to flood the Capitol” to talk to legislators and their assistants, according to the party’s website home page.
The home page also shows that the 3rd Annual Tax Day Tea Party Rally is planned 6-9 p.m. April 15 at the Landing Downtown.
Tucker also urged party members to attend the City budget workshops scheduled around town.
“I want every single one of you to go to one,” she said, adding that the City budget is projected to face swelling deficits the next four years.
356-2466