The First Coast Tea Party hosted a free Straw Poll on July 19^th for all 2014 Federal and State Candidates on the primary ballot for Clay, Duval and St. Johns Counties.  This Straw Poll was open to the public and a media release was issued to encourage voters to attend.  The Duval Supervisor of Elections, Mr. Jerry Holland, was the moderator of the event and provided oversight to the Tabulation Team for the ballot count.    

Voters got acquainted with candidates by interactive dialog and by viewing candidate recorded statements.  This Straw Poll broke new ground by interviewing judicial candidates where previously very few voters were familiar with these candidates.  Citizens’ views on the Duval Library Straw Ballot were also included to educate voters.  

An overwhelming number of attendees and candidates expressed their gratitude to the First Coast Tea Party for the opportunity to participate in this free event when so many similar events are both costly and without the benefit of the candidates recorded statements to rely on for those candidates unable to attend.  Everyone enjoyed the complementary continental breakfast.   The event was held in the Auditorium of the Jacksonville Salem Center. 

Volunteers of the First Coast Tea Party offered candidates from all parties of the three counties the opportunity to record statements on their candidacy.  Some candidates chose not to be interviewed.  The full candidate interviews to educate voters on their views on specific issues will be made available by You Tube links on this website soon.  The First Coast Tea Party expresses our appreciation to these volunteers for the many long hours expended in this huge accomplishment that provides valuable information to voters.   

Straw ballots are intended to be an informal poll.  Often, people only vote the races they are familiar with, although nothing restricts their complete participation.

The results of this Straw Poll are shown below:

Representatives in Congress

District 3

Jake Rush    36%

Ted Yoho     64%

District 4

Ander Crenshaw  13%

Ryman Shoaf          87%

District 5

Thuy Lowe        22%

Glo Smith           78%

State Senator

District 6

Derek Hankerson    86%

John Thrasher          14%

State Representatives

District 15

*Jay Fant              44%     (*See note below)

Paul Renner        56%

District 16

Charles McBurney     53%

Chris Oliver                  47%

Circuit Judges (Clay, Duval & Nassau)

4th Judicial Circuit, Group 27

Anthony Penoso        25%

Michael Sharrit           75%

7th Judicial Circuit (St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam & Volusia)
Group 18

Karen Foxman         60%

Steve Sands             40%

Group 20

Steve DeLaroche        23%

Adam Warren              30%

Kathy Weston              47%

Group 23

Kellie Killebrew           46%

Thomas Portuallo       54%

Duval County Library Straw Ballot

Yes           34%

No             66%

*NOTE:  The FCTP was advised that the candidate recorded statements shown at this Straw Poll was not the intended recording.  The selected recorded statements and full interview with questions on issues will be in the You Tube video for voters.

From: Rebecca Sharp a href="mailto:sharpfloridahouse@hotmail.com">sharpfloridahouse@hotmail.com>
Date: July 23, 2014 at 10:24:14 AM EDT
To: "news@fox4now.com" a href="mailto:news@fox4now.com">news@fox4now.com>
Subject: STRAW POLL EVENT FIRST COAST TEA PARTY DONE RIGHT!

Dear Ms. Fernandez,
 
     I wrote to you about the St. Johns County Straw Poll with criticisms, I must also write to you about how straw polls are done RIGHT! 
 
     The First Coast Tea Party planned and executed the finest straw poll event in the history of Straw Poll Events.  Prior to the straw poll, they took the time to invite all qualified candidates for the U.S. House and State Representatives from Clay, Duval and St. Johns County to a video taping to express their views and stance on issues. All videos were timed, so to allow each candidate to make their statements within a set time frame.  Even though this Straw Poll event highlighted just the Primary Candidates, (those facing a primary), they included ALL qualified candidates.  I was given a free video and free table space along with a lovely free Continental Breakfast.  This is the FIRST group to also include the Judges qualified to run.  At the Straw Poll, hosted by none other than Duval County Supervisor of Elections, Jerry Holland event at the Salem Center, each candidate facing a Primary had their video played by roster ballot order.  Those who declined to participate were listed as such.  At the conclusion of this presentation folks were then allowed vote for their favorite candidate. The unprecedented inclusion of all Judges qualified to run was extraordinary, non bias, fair and balanced! Hats off to the First Coast Tea Party for conducting a Straw Poll of the finest equality, grace and dignity! Results are here: http://fctpcommunity.org/ Instead of using it as a "Fund Raiser," as it appears the rest of the Straw Poll Events are doing, the First Coast Tea Party and Mr. Jerry Holland displayed honor, truth, respect and fairness allowing the Voters to truly be educated and informed prior to casting their precious votes.  Also, extremely important to note, Mr. Holland did not drag all the electronic voting equipment to this event, SAVING TAX PAYERS MONEY, the Ballots were supervised as collected, put in a bin, then hand counted and also supervised as counted.  My personal preference in every election! 
 
     The First Coast Tea Party will be holding another Straw Poll event after the Primary to highlight those for the General Election.
 
      Anyone deciding to conduct a fair and balanced Straw Poll Event to truly educate the Voters is best served by using The First Coast Tea Party's as a model to follow.
 
United in Now Faith
Rebecca Sharp, Candidate for Florida House of Representatives-District 17, St. Johns County
www.SharpFloridaHouse,com

2014 KEY ELECTION EVENTS & ACTIONS

FOR ALL FIRST COAST TEA PARTY MEMBERS

++++++++VOTING THE PRIMARY IS A MUST+++++++++

PRIMARY ELECTION

Everyday thru Aug 26th - ielect canvassing and building your sphere to get conservative vote out. See step by step youtube instructions under Groups tab at GOTV Team.

Everyday thru Aug 19th – Emphasize voting mailed Absentee Ballots. Can pick up & deliver thru Aug 26th.

Everyday thru July 28th– Convert minor party voters to be eligible to vote in the Primary

June 28 - Candidate Research complete

July 12 – Absentee mailing for overseas uniformed and civilian voters

July 21 - Conservative Citizen releases picks

July 22 - July 29 - Absentee mailing for domestic voters

July 28 - Voter registration deadline for Primary Election

Aug 9 – 24, 2014 *Optional Early Voting

Aug 16 – 23, 2014 Mandatory Early Voting sites open (Minimum 8 days)

August 26 – Absentee Ballots must be in Election Office before 7:00 pm

Aug 26, 2014 Primary Election Day

GENERAL ELECTION

Everyday thru Nov 4th - ielect canvassing and building your sphere to get conservative vote out. See step by step youtube instructions under Groups tab at GOTV Team

Everyday thru Oct 28th – Emphasize voting mailed Absentee Ballots. Can pick up & deliver thru Nov 4th.

Sep 19 – Conservative Citizen releases picks

Sep 20 – Absentee mailing for overseas uniformed military and civilian voters

Sep 30 – Oct 7 – Absentee mailing for domestic voters

Oct 6 – Voter registration deadline for General Election

Oct 18 – Nov 2 – *Optional Early Voting

Oct 25 – Nov 1 – Mandatory Early Voting sites open (Minimum 8 days)

Nov 4 – Absentee Ballots must be in Election Office before 7:00 pm

Nov 4 – General Election Day – Victory

*Each county Supervisor of Elections may at his or her own discretion offer additional days