Lenny Curry

Last updated
Molly Lefeber
​
(m. 2005)​
Lenny Curry
Lenny Curry portrait.jpg
8th Mayor of Jacksonville
In office
July 1, 2015 –July 1, 2023
Children3
Education University of Florida (BS)

Leonard Boyd Curry (born July 19, 1970) is an American politician, accountant, and businessman who served as the 8th mayor of Jacksonville, Florida from 2015 to 2023 after defeating then-incumbent Alvin Brown in the city's 2015 mayoral election. He was re-elected in 2019. A Republican, Curry formerly served as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and co-founded the professional services firm ICX Group.

Contents

Early life and education

Curry was born in Key West to parents Linda and Roy Curry. [1] [2] He later grew up in Middleburg, Florida and graduated from Middleburg High School. Curry began his higher education at St. Johns River Community College, then transferred to the University of Florida and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in accounting. [3]

Career

From 1994 to 2002, he practiced as a certified public accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. In 2002, he co‐founded a Jacksonville-based professional services firm, ICX Group Inc., providing finance and accounting consulting, executive recruiting, and staffing services.

On June 3, 2014, Curry filed to run in the Jacksonville mayoral election in 2015. He said he decided to enter the race because beginning in late 2012 and early 2013, he began hearing about leadership troubles under incumbent Democratic mayor Alvin Brown. [4]

In the blanket primary election on March 24, 2015, Curry received 38.40% of votes while Mayor Brown received 42.64% of the votes out of a field of other candidates, thus necessitating a runoff election between them as the top two vote receivers. [5] Curry defeated Brown in the runoff election on May 19, 2015 with 51.31% of the vote to Brown's 48.69%. [6]

On March 19, 2019, Curry was re-elected to a second term as mayor of Jacksonville in the 2019 election. His major competitor was Anna Brosche, who earned 24% of the vote, while Curry got 58%. He won a majority of the votes in the blanket primary, and was therefore re-elected without a runoff election.

Curry had co-chaired the Jacksonville host committee for the 2020 Republican National Convention, which was, for a period, planned to be held in Jacksonville. [7] [8]

Mayor of Jacksonville

Vice President Mike Pence meeting with Florida Governor Rick Scott and Curry in March 2017 Mike Pence and Rick Scott.jpg
Vice President Mike Pence meeting with Florida Governor Rick Scott and Curry in March 2017

COVID-19 pandemic

Jacksonville/Duval County detected its first case of Covid-19 on March 12, 2020. [9] On June 22, Curry stated that he would not implement a mask mandate in the city of Jacksonville, [10] however, one week later on June 29, 2020 he did implement a mandate. [11] The city's mask mandate was in place for nearly a year until it was lifted by Curry on March 26, 2021. [12] Curry also implemented a work from home order on March 23, 2020. [13] The work from home order was lifted only a few months later on May 12, 2020. [14] In a poll conducted in 2020, Curry was given a 70% approval rating by Florida voters for his handling of the pandemic response. [15] In 2021, again amid rising case numbers, Curry refused to implement a mask mandate and instead encouraged residents to get the new Covid-19 vaccine to control the spread. [16] Curry himself tested positive for Covid-19 on January 4, 2022, despite being vaccinated. [17]

Public safety

Part of Curry's campaign platform included improving the state of public safety in Jacksonville. [18] Because Duval County and Jacksonville are an integrated city-county government, police duties are carried out by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. This limited Curry's ability to influence policy as the sheriff is directly elected rather than appointed by the mayor. Curry claimed to work closely with Sheriff Mike Williams throughout his tenure. [19] In 2021 controversy arose about the residency status of Williams and Curry refused to comment on the matter. [19] After Williams decided to retire in the face of the controversy, Curry and his wife endorsed two different candidates for sheriff during the 2022 election cycle. [20]  In 2018, three years into Curry's first term, violent crimes were still on the rise in Jacksonville. [21] In 2019, responding to the rising crime rates, Curry implemented a new bystander intervention program called Cure Violence. The program was also supported by one of Curry's opponents in the mayoral election primary that year, though they had concerns over how it would be funded. [22] In 2020, Curry's budget proposal to the city council suggested adding $6.1 million to the JSO budget, which was met with backlash from activists in the community. [23] In 2022, Curry was criticized for rising homicide rates in the city despite blaming his predecessor for such high rates during his 2015 campaign. [24]

Environment

As mayor, Curry had focused on environmental issues in Jacksonville. In 2019 residents improperly managing their recyclables cost the city more than $530,000. [25] As a response to this, Curry went throughout the city educating residents on how to separate and manage their recyclables. [25] However, recyclables curbside pick-up was suspended in October 2021 due to the continuous problems in the system and lack of sufficient waste management workers. [26] As a result there was a decrease of more than 80% of recyclables in Jacksonville and heavy backlash from Jacksonville citizens. [27] Curbside recycling pick-up was brought back on April 4, 2022. In addition, Curry continued to work in educating citizens on recycling through a public education campaign. [26]

Jacksonville was the last major Florida city without a Chief Resiliency Officer (CRO), and dropped out of the Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities initiative in 2016. [28] However, Mayor Curry funded a CRO in his 2020-2021 budget proposal, and the city council approved and established the position.

In July 2022, Curry proposed a $1.5 billion budget for the 2022/2023 fiscal year. [29] $10 million is allocated for preparing and fighting against the effects of climate change through resiliency projects focused on the coast, rising water levels, and flooding. [30] An additional $108 million is to be allocated for repairing and improving parks. [30] The budget also focused on creating river walk/park areas which would create public spaces for walking, biking and other recreational activities. [30] The budget was approved by the city council in September 2022. [31]

Personal life

Curry married his wife, Molly, in 2005. [4] They have three children: Brooke, Boyd, and Bridgett Curry. The family lives in San Marco, a neighborhood in Jacksonville's Urban Core. Curry is active in many organizations outside of the mayor’s office, including the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Southside Methodist Church, and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Rutherford (Florida politician)</span> American politician (born 1952)

John Henry Rutherford is an American politician and former police officer serving as the U.S. representative from Florida's 5th congressional district since 2017. His district encompasses most of Jacksonville and most of its suburbs in Nassau and St. Johns counties, including St. Augustine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Soderberg</span> American foreign policy strategist (born 1958)

Nancy Elisabeth Soderberg is an American foreign policy strategist who currently serves as Resident Director for National Democratic Institute in Kosovo. Soderberg served as the third-ranking official on the Clinton Administration's National Security Council from 1993 to 1997 and as an Alternate Representative to the United Nations as a Presidential Appointee, with the rank of Ambassador, from 1997 to 2001. She has also held positions at the International Crisis Group, Connect U.S. Fund, and the Public Interest Declassification Board. In 2012 she ran unsuccessfully for Florida Senate District 4. Soderberg ran for Congress as a Democrat in the 2018 midterm elections in Florida's 6th congressional district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Peyton (American politician)</span> American businessman and politician

John Stephens Peyton is an American businessman and politician who is currently president of Gate Petroleum. He served as Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida from 2003 to 2011, when he was succeeded by Alvin Brown. He was the second Republican to be elected to the position since 1888. After his term he returned to Gate, his family business, and succeeded his father Herb Peyton as the company's president in January 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacksonville Sheriff's Office</span> Joint city-county law enforcement agency

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) is a joint city-county law enforcement agency, which has primary responsibility for law enforcement, investigation, and corrections within the consolidated City of Jacksonville and Duval County, Florida, United States. Duval County includes the incorporated cities of Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Jacksonville Beach, and Neptune Beach; the beach cities have their own police departments as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida's 5th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for Florida

Florida's 5th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. It includes the southeastern area of Jacksonville which comprises areas such as Arlington, East Arlington, Southside, Mandarin, San Jose, and the Beaches. It stretches south to St. Augustine in St. Johns County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Hazouri</span> American politician (1944–2021)

Thomas Lester Hazouri Sr. was an American politician of the Democratic Party. He served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1974 to 1986, as the 3rd Mayor of Jacksonville from 1987 to 1991, and represented School District 7 in the Duval County School Board from 2004 to 2012. He was later an At-Large member of the Jacksonville City Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Austin</span> American politician and lawyer

T. Edward "Ed" Austin Jr. was an American politician and attorney. He served as mayor of Jacksonville, Florida from 1991 to 1995. He also served as the first Public Defender for Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit from 1963 to 1968, and served as State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit from 1969 to 1972 and again from 1974 to 1991. Austin was a Democrat for most of his career, but switched parties to become a Republican during his term as mayor, becoming the first Republican to serve in that position since the Reconstruction era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alvin Brown</span> American politician

Alvin Brown is an American politician from Florida who served as mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, from 2011 to 2015. He was the first African American to be elected to that position. Brown succeeded John Peyton as mayor after winning the 2011 mayoral election. In the 2015 race, he lost his re-election bid to Republican Lenny Curry.

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Jacksonville mayoral election</span>

The 2015 Jacksonville mayoral election took place on March 24, 2015, to elect the Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Florida, alongside an election to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and other state and local elections. Incumbent two-term Republican Governor Rick Scott was term-limited and could not run for a third term, and he successfully ran for Florida's Class I Senate seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election</span>

The 2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election occurred on November 6, 2018, to elect the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term. Democrat Nikki Fried narrowly defeated Republican Matt Caldwell. Fried became the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida, as U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, who had held Florida's Class I U.S. Senate seat since 2000, lost re-election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, to elect the 27 U.S. representatives from the state of Florida, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other offices, including a gubernatorial election, other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. The party primaries were held on August 28, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida's Tribute to the Women of the Confederacy</span> Outdoor memorial to Confederate women in Jacksonville, Floridas Springfield Park

Florida's Tribute to the Women of the Confederacy, also known as A Tribute to the Women of the Southern Confederacy and the Monument to the Women of the Confederacy, was an outdoor Confederate memorial installed in Jacksonville, Florida's Springfield Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Jacksonville mayoral election</span>

The 2019 Jacksonville mayoral election was held on March 19, 2019, to elect the mayor of Jacksonville. Incumbent mayor Lenny Curry, a Republican, won a majority of votes to win a second term in office. No Democratic candidate qualified for the mayoral election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the 28 U.S. representatives from Florida, one from each of the state's 28 congressional districts. The primary was held on August 23, 2022. The elections coincided with the 2022 United States Senate election in Florida, other elections to the House of Representatives, other elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Jacksonville mayoral election</span>

The 2023 Jacksonville mayoral election was held on March 21, 2023, with a runoff held on May 16. Incumbent Republican mayor Lenny Curry was term-limited and could not seek a third term in office. Seven candidates filed to run, including four Republicans, two Democrats, and an independent. Jacksonville mayoral elections use a blanket primary system where all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, appear on the same ballot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Jacksonville Sheriff special election</span>

The 2022 Jacksonville Sheriff special election was held on August 23, 2022, to elect the next sheriff of Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Incumbent sheriff Pat Ivey, previously the undersheriff, was appointed interim sheriff by Governor DeSantis after his predecessor Mike Williams resigned. Ivey was not a candidate in the election. As no candidates received more than 50% of the vote in the general election, a runoffwas held on November 8, 2022, coinciding with the regularly scheduled elections in Florida. T.K. Waters ultimately won the race with 55% of the vote compared to Burton's 45%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Baker</span> American politician

Jessica Baker is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 17th district. She assumed office on November 8, 2022.

Kent Stermon (1972—2022) was a Florida businessman and Republican activist. He was a political associate and friend of Ron DeSantis, who appointed Stermon to the Florida Board of Governors in 2019. He died by suicide following sexual misconduct allegations.

References

  1. ↑ Cassidy, Austin (August 30, 2010). "Meet Lenny Curry: The Republican Party's Quarterback for 2010". Jacksonville Observer. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Leonard LeRoy Curry III Obituary (2023) - Orange Park, FL - Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home". Legacy.com .
  3. ↑ Monroe, Nate (March 5, 2015). "Curry transformed from minor player in GOP politics to formidable Brown challenger". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Marilyn Young (June 3, 2014). "The story behind Lenny Curry's decision to run for Jacksonville mayor". Financial News & Daily Record. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Summary Results - Election Night Reporting". enr.electionsfl.org. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  6. ↑ "Summary Results - Election Night Reporting". enr.electionsfl.org. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  7. ↑ Gibbons, Timothy (19 June 2020). "32 state, local leaders named to Jacksonville Republican convention host committee". www.bizjournals.com. Jacksonville Business Journal. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  8. ↑ "Meet the Jacksonville Host Committee for the Republican National Convention". WJXT. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  9. ↑ Bloch, Emily. "Coronavirus: Duval, Clay each get first case, 14 more confirmed statewide". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  10. ↑ Travis Gibson, Jim Piggott (2020-06-22). "Mayor Curry says he won't mandate face masks in Jacksonville". WJXT. Associated Press. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  11. ↑ Hong, Christopher. "Jacksonville mandates wearing of masks". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  12. ↑ Freeman, Clayton. "Mayor Lenny Curry to end Jacksonville's COVID-19 mask requirement". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  13. ↑ Gibson, Jim Piggott, Travis (2020-03-23). "Mayor: No curfew, but employees able to work from home must do so starting Tuesday". WJXT. Retrieved 2022-12-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ Hong, Christopher. "Coronavirus: Jacksonville's work-from-home mandate to expire next week". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  15. ↑ "UNF Poll: Curry Gets 70% Approval For COVID-19 Work; DeSantis, Trump Trail Significantly". WJCT News. 2020-04-06. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  16. ↑ "Jacksonville Mayor doubles down on not imposing mask mandate, expert says risk-benefit ratio of vaccine makes shot worth it". firstcoastnews.com. August 4, 2021. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  17. ↑ Staff (2022-01-04). "Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry tests positive for COVID-19". WJXT. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  18. ↑ "Mayor". www.coj.net. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  19. 1 2 Bauerlein, David; Scanlan, Dan. "Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry praises Sheriff Mike Williams but takes no stance on legal questions". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  20. ↑ "Jacksonville's mayor, first lady endorse different candidates in upcoming sheriff's race". Action News Jax. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  21. ↑ Pantazi, Andrew. "Violence in Jacksonville still growing". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  22. ↑ Pantazi, Andrew. "Curry commits to new anti-violence program". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  23. ↑ "Jacksonville Mayor set to unveil proposed city budget as activists call to reduce police funding". Action News Jax. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  24. ↑ Woods, Mark (2022-11-04). "The Florida Times-Union" . www.jacksonville.com. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  25. 1 2 "Mayor Curry travels the City with Solid Waste crews to bring awareness to proper recycling habits". firstcoastnews.com. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  26. 1 2 Bauerlein, David. "Curbside recycling resumes with some Jacksonville residents putting carts out on wrong day". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  27. ↑ Milkes, Abby. "Recycling Returns". The Shield. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  28. ↑ "Jacksonville Drops Out Of Rockefeller Foundation's '100 Resilient Cities'". WJCT News 89.9. 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  29. ↑ Piggott, Jim (2022-07-21). "Mayor Curry presents $1.5B budget proposal to Jacksonville City Council". WJXT. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  30. 1 2 3 "'A city on the rise;: Mayor Lenny Curry unveils his final $1.5 billion budget proposal". 104.5 WOKV. 2022-07-22. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  31. ↑ Staff (2022-09-28). "Jacksonville City Council approves record-setting $1.5B budget". WJXT. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  32. ↑ "About the Mayor". www.coj.net. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the Florida Republican Party
2011–2014		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Jacksonville
2015–2023		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.