JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County Property Appraiser Jerry Holland announced Monday he will not run for Rep. Ander Crenshaw's congressional seat.
Holland posted the news on Facebook shortly before 10 a.m.
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"It is not often someone decides not to run, when you have received such an out pouring of suggestions and encouragement, from the Governor, to friends in the media, to family and you my friends. There are two overwhelming reasons I have decided not to run. First, I love my job as the Duval County Property Appraiser. I have a great staff who in less than a year has achieved amazing results, especially in the area of exemption fraud, with the potential to do so much more. Second, but most important, if successful there would be a required special election to replace my position at a cost of over 2 million dollars to the taxpayers of Duval County. I can not justify such an expense. Thank you for allowing me for even just a few short days to share a dream to run for Congressional District 4 to serve Northeast Florida and this Great Nation. God Bless."
Retired Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford confirmed on Friday he would seek the position. Both Rutherford and Holland are Republicans.
Crenshaw, 71, who has represented Florida's 4th Congressional District for the past eight terms and serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced last week he would not seek re-election.
Crenshaw told News4Jax he's not sure what's next for him.
"I really have no idea. The main thing is I realize in my life right now it was time for change, time to turn the page," Crenshaw said. "I don't know what is next, but I've got a year to finish the work I started here in Congress. That is quite a load. Once that's over, I'll be thinking about what to do next. I just really don't have any idea."
With the news of Crenshaw stepping down, questions are raised over whether he received a better offer in the private sector.