Three days ago, Lenny Curry was the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Today, he will be a candidate for mayor of Jacksonville.
A well-placed source confirmed to SaintPetersblog that Curry could file as a candidate as early as Tuesday morning.
***Update – 10:12 a.m.*** Curry announced on Twitter that, “It is official. I filed to run for mayor of Jacksonville this AM.”
Curry announced in April his intention to step down as chair of the Florida GOP chair to seek elected office, but the timing of when he would launch his campaign was unknown.
But then Curry, an adroit user of social media, tweeted to me, “Still willing?” — a reference to an offer I made that I would come to Jacksonville and canvas for Curry if he ran. Curry’s Twitter comments led reporter Allison Nielsen to conclude, “Twitter creeping shows @LennyCyrry has all but confirmed he’s going to run for mayor of Jax, per back & forth w/ @SaintPetersblog.”
Although there could be several other candidates in the race — Republican Bill Bishop has already filed to run — the race will likely come down to Curry vs. incumbent mayor Alvin Brown.
In 2011, Brown had the support of much of the Republican establishment, even though he is Democrat. But that support — which was key to Brown’s win — is already lining up behind Curry; wealthy Republican power-broker Peter Rummell said he would support Curry.
