JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two days after U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw's surprise announcement he would not seek a ninth term in the congressional district representing much of metropolitan Jacksonville, former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford confirmed speculation that he would run for the seat.
"I think what people will be looking for is a leader," Rutherford told News4Jax on Friday afternoon. "What they want to know right now is do you have strong principled leadership, integrity, and that you can serve with honor in Washington? And I think I’ve done that in the past here in Jacksonville."
Rutherford was forced to retire after 12 years as sheriff last year due to term limits. As he left office, he said he is not finished with public service and may transition from a law enforcer to a lawmaker.
Rutherford said he's in no matter who else decides they want to run.
He told News4Jax that he was surprised, like many others, when the seat opened up. But he said he's been thinking about something like this for a long time.
"Let me tell you, I have prayed about this, spoke to all of my family, obviously, and as I heard from people, it became clear to me I have a servant’s heart, I wanted to do this," Rutherford said.
Rutherford won elections and served as Jacksonville Sheriff from 2003 until last summer.
He has not run for an other public office.
Rutherford is one of many people whose name entered the conversation when Rep. Crenshaw decided not to run for a ninth term.
The Florida Times-Union reported Wednesday that Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and GOP fundraiser Peter Rummell would support Rutherford if he enters the race.
Crenshaw's district was redrawn last year in response to a redistricting lawsuit, with the new lines including all of Nassau County, part of Duval County and roughly the northern two-thirds of St. Johns County.
The 4th Congressional District remains heavily Republican. In 2012, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney carried the area by more than 33 points.
Among the names being connected to the seat in addition to Rutherford are state Sen. Aaron Bean, who represents Nassau County and many of the same parts of Duval County, and Duval County Property Appraiser Jerry Holland.
"I am getting a lot of text messages that since Congressman Crenshaw is not running for re-election I should run. Does anyone think that's a good idea?" Holland wrote on his Facebook page "I really value your opinion please let me know."
Other potential candidates include two outgoing state House members -- Reps. Charles McBurney and Lake Ray -- Duval County Tax Collector Michael Corrigan and former Jacksonville City Council member Richard Clark, currently running for Ray's state House seat.
"There's a good 10 or 15 people that are looking at it in some capacity or another," said Ray, who doubles as chairman of the Duval County Republican Party.
But Ray also said he expects the total number to eventually dwindle depending on what other candidates do.
"I would be surprised if you see more than three or four people who get to the point of actually qualifying," he said.
If Bean were to run, that would create an opening that could also draw some of the candidates considering a bid for Crenshaw's seat.
Former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney, who is currently president of the University of North Florida, refuted speculation he might run.