Al Jones

Jones, who was appointed by Florida Governor Charlie Crist to fill the seat of former Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion following his arrest, was the only Republican on the nine-member board, representing the vastly Democratic District 9.

Jones told reporters at a media briefing before the announcement, “If I'm going to lead it would be hard to be in one camp if the district is in another.”

The switch, however, has rubbed some voters the wrong way. Tanisha Jones sees Jones’ change as “simply opportunistic. I am sure he knows he could never win that seat in November running as a Republican. This is not the first time he has switched parties. He was a Democrat, some years ago, but switched to Republican, and now back to Democrat! Please!”

Elections are being held in November to fill the District 9 seat for the remainder of the two-year term. In primaries to be held in August, there is a crowded field of Democrats, including former Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Carlton Moore, Lauderhill Commissioners Dale Holness and Margaret Bates, the Rev. Allen Jackson, with whom Holness contested the seat two years ago, and Willie Roberson.

Holness, who is the sole Caribbean-American contesting the seat in a district, with a large Caribbean-American population, said he is not perturbed by Jones’ decision to campaign as a Democrat.

“I don’t think his being in the race makes a difference to my chances. I am confident because the people of the district know I am running to represent them, and not my own self-interest. I am running to ensure that the high unemployment rate and the high drop-out rate at the high schools in the district, decline; and that the district fulfils its potential as a viable economic region not only in the county, but the state.”

Attempts to obtain the comments from the other candidates in the primaries were unsuccessful.

Echoing words used by Crist when he announced his decision to run as an independent candidate in the Florida U.S. Senate race, Jones told reporters that he was not running as a conservative, but as a “servant to the people.”

Shelly Green, of Tamarac said she totally understands why Jones would switch. “It’s politics… and when you’re in politics, you do what is best for you to win so you can make the changes you think are necessary in your district. Jones would have a hard time winning this seat as a Republican, but he might have a chance as a Democrat. It is now up to the people to decide whether he’s just a turncoat or a genuine public servant who wants the best for his constituents.”

Pastry Chef, Winston Grey, of Plantation, said, “I certainly can’t trust a flip-flopper like Jones. The man doesn’t know which party he really wants to serve. There are true blue Democrats who will get the voters’ attention, not a hurry-come-up Democrat like Jones. This election is not a joke. We need a strong representative after Joe disappointed us.”

No Republican is has made a declaration, to date, to run in the August primaries, but there is still time to do so before the June 18 closing deadline.