JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams announced his sudden retirement on Thursday amid disputes over a recent move from Duvall to Nassau County. Meanwhile, six people had previously announced their intentions to run for sheriff in the spring of 2023 during the general election, which follows the special election later this year.
Jacksonville City Council plans to hold a meeting to set a date in August for early elections to fill Williams’ unexpired term. This was followed by a general election in November – and before that happens, Governor Ron DeSantis will appoint a temporary sheriff who will serve for at least a few months.
Candidates who plan to run in the general election now have much less time to campaign and raise money. Williams had about a year left until his term, but his last day is June 10.
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“Don’t be fooled that this is a big curve,” said Rick Mulaney, a political analyst at News4JAX. “You have six main candidates. They watched until next March and instead of next March it will probably be August, which means a sprint.
Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams on Thursday announced his sudden retirement amid disputes over a recent move from Duvall to Nassau County. Meanwhile, six people had previously announced their intentions to run for sheriff in the spring of 2023 during the general election, which follows the special election later this year.
As Chris Hand, an attorney general, explains, this is only the first round.
“This will fill one term by June 30. They will have to do it again next March and May for a full 4-year term, “Hand said.
TELL US: Did Sheriff Williams do the right thing by announcing his retirement?
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As a result, this can make the campaign process much more expensive.
We turned to data from the Duvall County Election Supervisory Authority to gather the latest data on campaign participation among candidates. According to the data:
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Republican TK Waters has the largest amount with $ 1,099,000
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Democrat Leixa Burton is not behind $ 1,067,000
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Republican Matthew Nemeth raised $ 97,000
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Democrat Ken Jefferson raised $ 46,000
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Democrat Wayne Clark raised $ 32,000
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Democrat Tony Cummings raised $ 352
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“I think you will see these candidates step up in fundraising,” Mulani said. “It will be more expensive and it will be many years ahead. You can literally see three different sheriffs in 12 months.
Mulani points out that who DeSantis chooses to serve as interim sheriff will be significant.
“If the governor nominates one of the leading Republican candidates, such as TK Waters, it will give that candidate an advantage in office,” he said.
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Analysts say there are ultimately many factors that will come into play during the race.
Hand believes that DeSantis’ election could shake up who will run in the special election.
“Challenge 1, which almost every candidate has, is identifying the name to make sure voters know you’re a candidate,” Hand said.
The municipal council can vote on a date for Monday’s snap elections.
Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
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