By David Chapman
Staff Writer
Former Jacksonville mayoral candidate Mike Hogan won’t be jumping into the mayor’s race this year. Instead, he’ll try to become the next Supervisor of Elections.
Hogan submitted a resignation letter to Gov. Rick Scott and the secretary of state on Friday indicating he will be leaving his job as chairman of the state’s Public Employees Relations Commission to pursue the local office. His resignation is effective June 30, according to the letter.
Hogan was required to resign from the state position in order to run for office.
He hasn’t filed paperwork, but will join a field that has deputy supervisor Tracie Davis, former Republican Party of Duval County chair Rick Hartley, City Council member Robin Lumb and Chris Monti.
That list will get much shorter soon, though.
Lumb became chair of the local Republican Party in mid-December and said this week he won’t run for any office this year. Lumb said his focus will be on getting other Republicans elected.
Hartley on Friday said he also will withdraw from the race to support Hogan and other Republicans in the elections.
Elections supervisor Jerry Holland is term-limited and running for property appraiser.
Qualifying for races in the spring election is Jan. 12-16.
Hogan lost to Mayor Alvin Brown in 2011. Hogan had long been rumored to be a candidate, where his primary Republican opponent would be Lenny Curry.
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