The Mayor's Race had its own blog this morning and we did not want to miss the hearty congratulations to those who won City Council seats.

We informed the City Council members who voted to raise our taxes that we would see them at the polls. 

Last night our endorsed candidate, Matt Schellenberg (R) in City Council District 6 took the seat away from Jack Webb, the City Council President who was leading the city council when our taxes were raised.  The results were:  53% to 47% - a clear victory.

CONGRATULATIONS MATT

We also stood with those who did NOT raise our taxes and voted against their peers.  Clay Yarborough, City Council District 1, was laughed at by some on the city council when he raised questions and voted No on the tax increase.  He WON his re-election by 57.7% to 42.3%.

CONGRATULATIONS CLAY

All those who voted NO to Raise our Taxes won their seats back on the City Council either in the primary or last night.  We are pleased with this outcome.

Michael Corrigan termed out and decided to run for Tax Collector.  He DID vote to raise taxes and received a negative endorsement from us.  He won last night and we are sad about that outcome.  A message to Mr. Corrigan, "We will be watching you and expecting a well run Tax Collectors office or you will be hearing from us."

On a side note: 

We did NOT endorse in the City Council at Large 5 race.  Robin Lumb (R) won by 58% to 42% against Donald Foy (NPA) with more than 98,814 votes.  Robin beat out both mayoral candidates with votes cast.  Just an interesting statistic for a race that got no attention from the Obama out-of-towners and had little money.  Not sure what it means and we'll let you decide. 

The City Council has been reformed and will have huge political power.  We will be engaged with the City Council members to ensure they hold our Mayor to conservative values and votes. 

If you are interested in serving on the City Council Accountability Team of the First Coast Tea Party, please contact our office at (904) 683-3945 and put your name on the list.  If you want to be a part of holding our city leaders accountable, this is the place to do that.

Again, Congrats to the winners.  Get some rest.  You'll need it!