JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Political signs are popping up throughout the city. But for one local leader, his ads may be a waste since the city is trying to keep him from running.
"If I thought for one minute that I wasn't eligible to run for office, then I wouldn't run," said Duval County Clerk of Courts, Jim Fuller.
Jim Fuller is not backing down to a Florida Supreme Court ruling mandating that Duval County's elected officials only serve only two four-year terms. Fuller is currently campaigning for his fourth term as Clerk of Courts. Fuller says the ruling only applies to Broward County, but the city's attorney says it affects the entire state. Now, it will be up to a judge to decide if the city's two term limit applies to the incumbent. Last night, city council voted 15-2 to legally challenge Fuller's re-election bid.
"I think that's a question that needs to be answered before the election and the only person that can really answer that question is the court system," said Jacksonville City Councilman John Crescimbeni.
With Fuller already on the ballot for the August Republican primary, we asked Crescimbeni if this is a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.
"Do I want to run the risk of spending $1.8 million on a special election sometime in the future or do I send my city attorney into court and try to get this question answered before then," said Crescimbeni.
As a current city leader, Fuller is forced to find his own representation. "It's really kind of funny because they're supposed to be my attorneys and they're suing me. So, I would think they would have to get me another attorney and pay for it."
But Crescimbeni says the city doesn't owe Fuller any legal coverage because the issue concerns his candidacy.
