by Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor
With just two weeks remaining in the race for Jacksonville mayor, more names and money were lining up Monday in support of mayoral candidates Alvin Brown, a Democrat, and Republican Mike Hogan.
More high-profile supporters, including several current and former Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce leaders, have surfaced for Brown, while the Republican Party of Duval County and the state party are kicking in $100,000, and possibly more, to Hogan.
Brown’s emerging support generated headlines just over two weeks ago when Republican fundraiser Peter Rummell publicly backed the Democrat, saying he contributed $150,000 to the campaign that was being matched by other supporters.
On Monday, supporter Jim Rinaman, a long-time lawyer in Jacksonville, emailed an invitation for a “meet and greet” for Brown hosted by almost two dozen individuals or couples.
“More than 50 chamber leaders have committed to Brown,” wrote Rinaman, a former chamber chair.
The May 10 Epping Forest event’s host committee includes, among others, Hugh and Susan Greene; Preston and Joan Haskell; Adam and Karen Herbert; Matthew Kampfe; Wally and Alyson Lee; Frank and Marisa Martire; Bill and Julie Mason; Bobby and Pam Paul; Bob Rhodes; Rummell; George and DiAnne Scanlon; Joe and Carol Thompson; Tom and Pandora Van Berkel; Cleve Warren; and Delores Weaver.
Lee is the chamber president; Greene is the chair; and Van Berkel is the incoming chair. Several former chairs are on the committee.
Chamber spokeswoman Lisa Daniel said the meet-and-greet is not a chamber-sponsored event.
The chamber’s JaxBiz political affiliate did not endorse a candidate in the May 17 general election. It endorsed Audrey Moran, a Republican who did not make the runoff, in the March 22 first election.
Hogan spokeswoman Erin Isaac said Monday the list “looks a lot like the list of Downtown insiders supporting higher taxes to put Downtown ahead of every other neighborhood in Jacksonville.”
Hogan, who is ahead of Brown in fundraising, continues adding to his support as well.
Hogan picked up $50,000 from the Republican Party of Duval County on Monday, which county party Chair Lenny Curry said in a statement was the largest campaign contribution allowable under Florida law for any local party.
Curry, vice chair of the Republican Party of Florida, said the state party is spending another $50,000 to elect Hogan and that more funding would come.
Also, Chris Verlander of Associated Industries of Florida presented a check to Hogan. “This is the first time in the history of AIF that we’ve put money in a mayor’s race,” said Verlander in a statement.
“Lenny Curry and the Duval leadership team are to be commended,” said State Committeewoman Cindy Graves.
State Committeeman Rick Hartley said the party was laying everything on the line to get Hogan elected and referenced grassroots activities happening citywide, from walks to calls, and asked citizens to participate fully.
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