JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – State Attorney Angela Corey was re-elected without opposition, but her second term has been marked with controversy.
Corey announced her candidacy Thursday for a third term, and this time, she'll have a familiar opponent: former employee Wesley White.
White is now a private attorney, who is representing Corey's former I.T. chief, who is suing her for wrongful termination.
News4Jax political analyst Jennifer Carroll said it's likely to be a very colorful campaign.
"You thought the mayor's race had a lot of negative campaigning? You'll see more so in this race," Carroll said. "It's not surprising that she's declared her candidacy to be re-elected, but it's also not surprising that she's going to draw opposition, and it's going to make a very interesting race, because she's getting opposition from people who have worked in her office."
Corey became a lightning rod for controversy in her second term, taking heat over her office's handling of high-profile cases involving defendants like George Zimmerman, Cristian Fernandez and Michael Dunn.
"Angela has been accused of overcharging people or getting too close to some of the victims and not removing herself a little bit to be objective in the process," Carroll said.
But Carroll said there's a lot working in Corey's favor, as well.
"She has been tough on the criminals, and she has sought to seek justice for the individuals who have been harmed," Carroll said.
That's helped her rack up a long list of supporters, likely to stand behind her in this next election.
"It's going to be a very interesting dialogue and battle back and forth as to how people feel she's handled overcharging some of these cases, as well as how aggressive some people feel that she's fought for their families," Carroll said.
News4Jax contacted Corey's campaign Friday for an interview but didn't hear back.
Carroll said if the election were held tomorrow, it's likely it would go in Corey's favor.