Black Republicans make inroads in Florida

Florida Times Union ^ | April 21, 2003 | Jim Schoettler

[srmanuel]

Last week local and state government elections were held in Duval County/Jacksonville, Fl.

The results of the election were very positive for the Republican Party...

3 Black Republicans were elected to various offices, 2 were women. 2 were elected to the city council, 1 to the state house.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

[Clemenza]

Let's not forget Haitian-American Joe Celestin, the Mayor of North Miami (which is 60% black).

[fieldmarshaldj]

The lovely Representative-elect Jennifer Carroll

[fieldmarshaldj]

Unfortunately, the other Black Republican Mayor in Florida, Sarasota's Carolyn Mason, was defeated for reelection as a councilman 2 weeks ago. :-(

[fieldmarshaldj]

Mayor Celestin cruised to a second term, unopposed I believe, also 2 weeks ago. Congrats to him !

[TheLion]

More and more people are breaking away from the slavery offered by the liberal plantation...."At long last, free at last!"

Isn't it wonderful.

[Urbane_Guerilla]

Re: #6

Wowee zowee! There's one politician I would not mind having on television all the time. She's gorgeous.

[JohnnyZ]

"We are truly an inclusive party, though we have not put enough energy into demonstrating that fact," Slade said. "We are virtually politically color blind, but haven't been given many opportunities to demonstrate that. That's changing."

True Dat Nguyen.

Things are looking good in Jebland!

[Pharmboy]

I can't think of too many groups in this country that I favor more than Black Republicans! Outstanding!

[GraniteStateConservative]

She's an MBA and a conservative and a quickly rising star.

[anniegetyourgun]

And welcome to FR.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Though Johnson's opponent for the at-large seat is also black, Johnson said the abortion question showed voters are more focused on issues and candidate positions than their race or party."

---

This is the most important sentence in the article. If a majority of black voters start looking at the issues instead of focusing on the party labels their parents and grandparents passed on to them, the GOP would get between 30%-50% of the black vote. In poll after poll, black Americans are opposed to abortion, gay rights and forced secularism in larger percentages than are white Americans.

[NonValueAdded]

Jennifer Carroll twice ran for US Congress in District 3 against Corrine Brown. She lost both of those black on black contests, despite Brown's unremarkable record in the House. As you can see from this district map, it is the classic gerrymander.

I'm glad Jennifer has an elected position but a bit disappointed that Jeb didn't find a place for her in the state government following her 2nd loss to Brown. I think Jennifer is a wonderful person with strong credentials and would make a great leader who happens to be black. Isn't that the was it is supposed to be?

Jennifer, come down to the 15th district if Dave Weldon chooses not to run.

[NonValueAdded]

More about Jennifer from her web site http://www.jennifercarrollcampaign.com/hme_pgsa.htm

Yet the 3rd District chose Corrine Brown??????

Biography:

   Jennifer Carroll is the former Executive Director of Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.  She was responsible for the claims and benefits of over 1.8 million veterans.  In fiscal year 2001, more than $63 million in retroactive compensation was awarded to Florida veterans.

   
  She's was also responsible for the Agency's 30 million dollar budget, legislation, three state nursing homes and one domiciliary.  Jennifer was a registered lobbyist in the State of Florida. She lobbied for the retention of state construction funds for the Bay and Charlotte County State Veterans' Nursing Homes, and led the generation of two federal matching grant applications that will result in $15 million of federal funds for these projects. As Chairperson of the Florida Council on Homelessness, she sought ways for Florida to provide enhanced services toward solving homeless problems in the state and particularly within the veteran's community.
 
   She attended and graduated from Uniondale High School, Uniondale, NY in 1977 and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of New Mexico and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Kensington University.

  
   Jennifer enlisted in the Navy in 1979.  She rose through the ranks from an enlisted Jet Mechanic and retired as a Lieutenant Commander Aviation Maintenance Officer after 20-years. Jennifer received numerous personal awards and decorations during her 20-year military career which includes: Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, U.S. Coast Guard Operations Ribbon, Navy "E", Good Conduct Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Volunteer Service Medal, two Sea Service Ribbons, Overseas Ribbon, two Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon and an Expert Pistol Medal. 

  
   Jennifer has received numerous awards for her leadership and community service.  She was the recipient of the 2001 Center for New Black Leadership Excellence in Leadership Award, 1998 First Coast African American Women Award, 1996 Clay County Chamber of Commerce Military Person of the Year, 1996 YMCA Black Achievers Award recipient.  In 1999 and 2002 She was awarded the "Top 10" Republican Award from the Republican Party of Clay County. 

   Jennifer is a graduate of Project Blue Print Class of '97 and Leadership Jacksonville Class of '97. She is a Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Orange Park Rotary, The First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, National Political Congress of Black Women, Inc., Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Clay County Republican Executive Committee, Federated Republican Women of Clay, Associate Member of the Republican Women's Club of Duval Federated, Associate Member of the First Coast Republican Women's Club, YMCA Black Achievers Co-Chair and former mentor, Board of Governor Member for Florida Metropolitan University, lifetime member of the NAACP, former Commissioner on the Jacksonville Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women, former Board Member of Gateway Girls Scout Council, Inc., former Jacksonville Community Council Inc. Member, former Governor's Appointee to the Northeast Regional Planning Council.  Jennifer is also an active member of The Retired Officers Association, American Legion Post 0197, National Association of County Veteran's Service Officers, The Honor Society of Women Legionnaires and Fleet Reserve Association 126.  

   In 2001 President George W. Bush appointed her to "The White House Presidential Scholar's Commission."  

   Jennifer resides in Green Cove Springs, FL and is married to Mr. Nolan Carroll. They have three children, Nolan II, Nyckie and Necho.              

 

[livius]

That's great! I live in a neighboring county (Alachua), where we seem to have no black Republicans at all. The black population is owned by the Democratic party, to the extent that some candidates from predominantly black parts of Gainesville run unopposed. Needless to say, this is terrible for their districts, because these politicians have no incentive to do anything at all for their constituency.

[Kuksool]

Excellent news! Jeb Bush's minority outreach efforts are finally paying off. This is despite the urban legends being promoted in the black community about Jeb stealing the 2000 election from black voters.

[votelife]

It's great to see minority Republicans, because without them, the party is sunk in about 10-20 years. Minorities should not feel like that HAVE to vote democrat. There is another choice!

A DC press conference on 2/19/03, held by hispanic groups in support of Miguel, airing on C-Span:


"We urge every Senator to treat Miguel Estrada fairly and to vote to confirm." - Hispanic Bar Assn.

"We don't want to be treated as double standards." -Robert de Posada, Latino Coalition

"This is a very serious issue for our community and no politician should take this lightly. We urge the Senate to act responsibly and urge an up or down vote. " - Robert de Posada, Latino Coalition

"It's of grave concern to those of us with family in the military and overseas that Rome is burning while the Senate is fiddling." - Kay Daly, spokesperson for the "Coalition for a Fair Judiciary."

"We rarely have seen, if ever, a record of accomplishment (like) Miguel Estrada." - Juan Carlos Iturregui, Hispanic National Bar Assn.

"We urge Senate to vote on this confirmation NOW. Not next month..." -Juan Carlos Iturregui, Hispanic National Bar Assn.

"We also are concerned that some members of the Senate are trying to impose a higher standard of review that is unprecidented." - Juan Carlos Iturregui, Hispanic National Bar Assn.