JAXBIZ, the nonprofit political arm of the JAX Chamber, announced its candidate endorsements for Florida legislative seats and the Duval County School Board in the 2012 election.
The primary election is Aug. 14 and the general election is Nov. 6.
JAXBIZ endorsed:
• Mike Weinstein — Florida Senate, District 4
• John Thrasher — Florida Senate, District 8
• Audrey Gibson — Florida Senate, District 9
• Janet Adkins — Florida House of Representatives, District 11
• Lake Ray — Florida House of Representatives, District 12
• Reggie Fullwood — Florida House of Representatives, District 13
• Mia Jones — Florida House of Representatives, District 14
• Daniel Davis — Florida House of Representatives, District 15
• Charles McBurney — Florida House of Representatives, District 16
• Martha Barrett and Cheryl Donelan Grymes (co-endorsement) — Duval County School Board, District 1
• Ashley Smith Juarez –– Duval County School Board, District 3
JAXBIZ reported that it will continue interviewing candidates for other races and additional endorsements will be announced during the next few weeks.
JAXBIZ reported that its members, representing small and large businesses, volunteered to interview and evaluate political candidates as well as review public policy issues.
JAXBIZ said members identified and endorsed the candidates who support the chamber’s mission to drive quality economic growth in Northeast Florida.
“Education is a business issue,” said former Mayor John Delaney, JAXBIZ chair and president of the University of North Florida.
“To attract and retain businesses to our region, we need a trained and educated workforce. Strong leadership in the Florida House and Senate is also critical to positioning our region for future economic growth,” he said in a news release.