Bringing the state high-paying jobs. Improving its education system. Lowering crime.
It’s the platform Reggie Fullwood is using to try and win back the state House seat he’s held since 2010. They’re also the same priorities Johnny Gaffney has in trying to win the seat himself.
For many locals, last month’s gubernatorial race ending paved the way toward spring elections for mayor, City Council members, a sheriff and others. But wedged between the two is Tuesday’s special election for the next representative for House District 13, a diverse area that covers parts of Downtown, San Marco, Regency, Old Arlington and Northwest Jacksonville.
Fullwood has represented most of that area in the House since 2010, but two consecutive qualifying errors paved the way for a special election. The mix-up left the door open for challengers — and Gaffney entered.
Fullwood said Thursday his passion “always has been education” and he wanted to head back to Tallahassee to help teachers in the classroom. It has a direct effect on crime, he said, because children’s energies need to be better focused with help from mentors and others.
He also wants to help the working poor through Medicaid expansion and raising the state’s minimum wage.
“We have got to do it,” he said of expanding health coverage.
Gaffney will wrap up two terms on council next year, but said he wanted to be in Tallahassee to continue to represent his constituents.
“I want to continue what I started,” he said. “I have a passion for it.”
He said his track record includes assisting senior citizens with programs like Meals On Wheels, support for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and infrastructure improvements in the Eastside area. His mission, he said, is for better high-paying jobs, more spending on education and deterring crime.
“There’s a lot of apathy in the community,” he said. “People have given up … there’s no jobs and no one cares, they say.”
Fullwood calls the district a diverse, heavily Democratic group of people that’s “probably the most urban district in the state.” Many of the areas are slightly older and need some assistance, but Downtown and the Riverside areas have seen an influx of young professionals.
Gaffney represents some of the area as a council member and said the change wouldn’t affect him.
“My district already is very diverse,” he said. “It’d be more outspread, but similar.”
In addition to similar philosophies on priorities, they also agree on one other thing — they’re hoping Tuesday’s turnout reaches at least 10 percent.
Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland said after absentee and early voting, it’s at about 5 percent.
“It’s going to be close,” he said of the double-digit turnout.
The special primary will cost taxpayers about $300,000 he said, with some of the expenses coming from having a mandatory amount of early voting sites open. The seven sites match that of the general election, but early voting hasn’t fared well — the San Marco Community Center site hasn’t cracked 40 votes or double digits since it’s been open.
“That’s been tough,” he said. “That gets expensive.”
The winner of the Fullwood-Gaffney race will face Republican Lawrence Jefferson in the general election.
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