JaxBiz endorses Moran

News

by David Chapman and

Karen Brune Mathis

Staff Writers

JaxBiz, the political affiliate of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, issued its endorsement of mayoral candidate Audrey Moran Tuesday night, although it hadn’t planned on it until today.

But word leaked out, so JaxBiz sent its release about 9:30 p.m.

It was talked about before the Tuesday morning meeting of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Sports and Entertainment Board.

Around 4:30 p.m., it was circulating even further.

Candidate Rick Mullaney, who also interviewed for the JaxBiz endorsement, issued a statement that pre-empted the chamber’s official release.

“I was disappointed to learn of the decision of JaxBiz, the political action committee of the Chamber, to endorse my opponent by a narrow margin,” said the statement, not naming Moran, who is the only woman in the mayoral race. Both are Republicans.

“Repeatedly during the interview process, I stated my opposition to raising taxes and growing government, while my opponent said she would support tax increases - including a sales tax increase - and would consider an increase to the gas tax. She also stated her intent to grow our government,” said Mullaney.

Mullaney said he respects the men and women on the JaxBiz committee, but “I do not believe this vote reflects the majority of the nearly 3,000 Chamber members who own small businesses and are opposed to raising taxes and growing government.”

His release listed Jacksonville political veteran Susie Wiles as his contact person. Wiles also ran Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign.

Moran told the Daily Record late Tuesday afternoon that she appreciated the JaxBiz endorsement.

“Of course we are thankful to have it,” said Moran. “It is a big deal for any candidate.”

Moran said she believed she received the endorsement because the chamber is looking for new leadership, instead of the status quo, and that it valued her experience in running a small business.

“I am honored by it,” she said.

Around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, JaxBiz issued its endorsement of Moran.

“As we work to overcome one of the most challenging economic periods of our history, JaxBiz believes Audrey Moran is the candidate who will tackle hard issues, listen to the community’s concerns, collaborate to find the right solutions and act in a manner that will be best for our city as a whole,” said JaxBiz Chair Kelly Madden

The release said that more than 30 JaxBiz members volunteered to review candidate questionnaires and personally interview mayoral candidates for Jacksonville’s spring 2011 elections.

JaxBiz endorsed Moran “based on her commitment and support of the Chamber’s 2011 priorities, including economic development, JaxPort improvements and Downtown revitalization,” said the release.

“Moran is committed to growing the number of high quality jobs and helping to attract top-rated employers while promoting the growth of the small business community. “ said JaxBiz founder Ed Burr, a former chamber chair, in the release.

“Audrey Moran has a vision for what our city can be,” he said. “She is a candidate who speaks honestly and has earned the trust of many while on the campaign trail.”

Burr said Moran “has promised to bring transparency and public confidence back to the city budgeting process. We’re confident that Audrey will instill in our city budget the types of priorities that will keep our taxes low and enhance our quality of life.”

According to Burr, Moran said that “right-sizing the government, greater transparency and greater public confidence were the first and most important goals while clearly stating that revenue adjustments would be a last resort.”

Small business owner Anne Urban, the chamber’s 2010 Small Business Leader of the Year, also issued a statement endorsing Moran in the JaxBiz release.

“Audrey Moran is the candidate who understands issues facing small business owners and will work to help companies throughout Northeast Florida grow,” said Urban.

JaxBiz said that in addition to creating jobs, “Moran has pledged to improve the quality of life for Jacksonville residents in the areas of public education, race relations and public safety. As a former prosecutor, Moran understands the devastating effects of crime and has pledged to take a comprehensive approach toward reducing crime with strict law enforcement, education and after-school programs.”

Moran has owned a small business. She is CEO of the Sulzbacher Center, an $8.5 million nonprofit organization offering programs and services that serve the homeless.

Both Moran and Mullaney are former assistant state attorneys and both worked for former Mayor Ed Austin and former Mayor John Delaney.

Mullaney most recently was general counsel for Mayor John Peyton.

Mullaney’s statement took issue with Moran and JaxBiz’s endorsement.

“I believe that raising taxes is the wrong thing to do, and the last thing our economy needs. In the middle of the worst recession in a generation, with double-digit unemployment and families and small businesses struggling to make ends meet, we should be talking about reducing the burden on taxpayers,” said Mullaney.

“And we should be thinking about ways to get government out of the way of small businesses, the number-one employer in Jacksonville and the backbone of our national economy,” he said

Mullaney said that since the start of his campaign, “I have been consistent in my message: we must turn our economy around and get our city’s financial house in order without raising taxes,” he said.

“In spite of this endorsement, I believe that most of the Chamber’s members are on the same page. I have a detailed, 34-point plan to shrink government and grow jobs, and I hope they will read it and join the growing number of Jacksonville business leaders who are supporting my campaign.”

The other Republican front-runner in the race is Tax Collector Mike Hogan. Former Clinton Administration aide Alvin Brown is running as a Democrat.

The primary election is scheduled March 22 with the general election on May 17. If one candidate does not receive the majority of votes in the first election, the top two vote-getters will square off in the general election.

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JaxBiz makes candidate endorsements

from staff

JaxBiz, the nonprofit, nonpartisan political affiliate of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, announced its endorsements of candidates for mayor, several constitutional officer and City Council seats for the 2011 elections. JaxBiz did not endorse a candidate for property appraiser.

Endorsements include:
Audrey Moran
Mayor

John Rutherford (incumbent) Sheriff

Michael Corrigan
Tax Collector

Lindsey Brock
City Council District 1

Bill Bishop (incumbent)
City Council District 2

Richard Clark (incumbent) City Council District 3

Don Redman (incumbent) City Council District 4

Lori Boyer
City Council District 5

Jack Webb (incumbent)
City Council District 6

Johnny Gaffney (incumbent) City Council District 7
Ray Holt (incumbent), City Council District 11

Doyle Carter
City Council District 12

William “Bill” Gulliford
City Counci District 13