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Largo City Commissioner John Carroll backing Berny Jacques for HD 66

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Republican hopeful Berny Jacques is touting a new endorsement of his bid to succeed Larry Ahern in House District 66.

The backing comes from former Largo Police Chief John Carroll, a member of the Largo City Commission.

“I am pleased to endorse Berny Jacques as a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives, District 66,” Carroll said Tuesday. “Berny and I share a common background as criminal justice professionals, and a deep commitment to the concept of ‘Home Rule.’ He has consistently demonstrated his support of local government, and he displays a genuine interest in the concerns and priorities of Pinellas County residents.”

Jacques said he was “very humbled” by Carroll’s endorsement.

“As a former prosecutor, I am especially proud of the work he did as Largo’s Police Chief,” he said. “I am excited about the opportunity to have a partner in local government who understands how we can achieve safe neighborhoods for all.”

Jacques is an attorney working for the St. Petersburg law firm of Berkowitz and Myer. He previously served as assistant state attorney in Pinellas County.

Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee Chair Nick DiCeglie told SPB in March that he was also going to enter the GOP race for HD 66, but he has yet to file.

Jacques has raised more than $40,000 since entering the contest in late March.

House District 66 includes parts of Clearwater, Largo, Seminole and Belleair.

Mitch Perry has been a reporter with Extensive Enterprises since November of 2014. Previously, he served as five years as the political editor of the alternative newsweekly Creative Loafing. He also was the assistant news director with WMNF 88.5 FM in Tampa from 2000-2009, and currently hosts MidPoint, a weekly talk show, on WMNF on Thursday afternoons. He began his reporting career at KPFA radio in Berkeley. He's a San Francisco native who has now lived in Tampa for 15 years and can be reached at [email protected]

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