In what many believe to be the first step toward a run for Jacksonville mayor, Lenny Curry will step down from his post as chair of the Florida GOP at the end of May.
In a letter sent out to party members Thursday evening, Curry said his resignation comes after receiving encouragement to run for mayor from a number of friends and neighbors.
"Jacksonville is not just my home, it is a place of great opportunity; a place where I have made my dreams come true," the letter reads. "I feel obligated to give myself the time to fully consider and explore how to serve this community I care for so deeply."
In the message, Curry said a special election would be held to select a new chairman May 31.
Curry spoke to party leaders about his decision earlier that afternoon during a conference call, according to Duval County Republican Party Chairman Rick Hartley.
"In the last five years that Lenny's been in leadership here, he's done a phenomenal job. We've grown to love him and respect his judgment and we're going to miss him," Hartley said.
The announcement follows a report by the Florida Times-Union that Peter Rummell, a top fundraiser for Mayor Alvin Brown's 2011 campaign, plans to throw his support Curry's way in the 2015 race.
Curry's resignation will take effect May 31. While Curry hinted that a run is highly likely, it still remains to be seen, Hartley said.
"We will wait and see what Lenny is going to do," he said. "He's not 100 percent certain that he's going to run. I think it's likely that he will...and he'll have to compete with the other candidates about his ideas and the solutions that our city desperately needs."
Multiple calls made to Curry Thursday by WJCT were not returned.
So far, three candidates have entered the race along with Brown. Republicans Omega Allen and City Councilman Bill Bishop and Tiffany Wingo has filed as an independent.
READ: Lenny Curry's resignation letter as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida
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