Two Republican city councilmen, one a former council president, snubbed the GOP's Jacksonville mayoral candidate Monday and announced they're throwing their support behind Democratic incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown.
District 11's Ray Holt cited the mayor's improvements to the quality of life in neighborhoods: efforts like trimming trees and fixing potholes, as the main reason he's endorsing Brown.
"That's what we do in local government," Holt said. "To see someone jump in there, maybe not in the limelight, but doing things that are absolutely needed, by my constituents in District 11 was a real pleasure and it's a pleasure for me to support Mayor Brown."
And it was Brown's attempt at pension reform that swayed At-Large City Councilman and former Council President Stephen Joost.
"The only man that has a plan that saves $1.3 billion over the next 30 years and pays down the unfunded liability by $1.7 billion," Joost said. "So, today I stand before you, and I proudly endorse Alvin Brown to be our next mayor for the next 4 years."
Brown is running against Republican Lenny Curry, who has picked up endorsements from a number of GOP heavy hitters, including Texas Governor Rick Perry. No prominent Democrats have announced support for Curry.
Election Day is May 19.
