Bill Bishop isn’t endorsing fellow Republican Lenny Curry.
He’s not backing Democrat Alvin Brown, either.
Instead, the two-term City Council member who was bested by both in last week’s First Election, is staying on the sidelines. He won’t be endorsing either of them for Jacksonville mayor in the May 19 general election.
That news was met with a cheer from the two dozen or so supporters who attended Bishop’s news conference on the steps of City Hall.
The louder pop came when Bishop made the next announcement: He’d be running for mayor again in 2019.
“A good decision all the way around,” said Dale Parsons, a Bishop supporter, after the announcements.
Jeff Evans, a friend of Bishop’s for more than 20 years, agreed. He said he wasn’t surprised with the non-endorsement decision and getting a head start for 2019 was an “awesome idea” given the time needed to prepare.
That next opportunity will be in four years, although Bishop said his vision and passion for the city are “stronger than ever.”
“I believe that I can be a very good mayor for the city,” he said.
One takeaway he said he learned from his most recent run is it takes earlier preparation.
“I learned that running for mayor is a whole lot different than running for City Council,” he said, which drew several laughs.
Leading up to the 2019 election, he said he’ll remain active in the community and stay outspoken on issues.
In the short-term, though, he said the decision not to endorse Curry or Brown was because of their failure to give direct answers to direct questions. Given the enormity of issues like pension reform that require answers and leadership, he decided neither candidate deserved his endorsement.
He said voters should continue to ask Brown and Curry pointed questions and request specific answers.
Bishop said he’ll vote in the race — he has never sat out at the ballots — but still had six weeks to go before making that decision.
Responses to Bishop’s lack of endorsement came from the Brown and Curry within the hour.
Brian Hughes, Curry’s campaign spokesman, said in a statement Bishop “ran a good campaign and came in third place.”
“Like all voters in Jacksonville, we welcome his involvement and work to restore Jacksonville’s greatness,” said Hughes.
Isaiah Nelson, Brown’s campaign manager, said Bishop has a “long record of honest public service” that speaks for itself.
“Mayor Brown has always respected Mr. Bishop’s leadership and looks forward to continuing to work with him to put Jacksonville first,” Nelson said in a statement.
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