JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The candidate who came in third in the election for sheriff of Jacksonville last week has endorsed the candidate who came in first.
Last week, voters narrowed the seven-man field of candidates for sheriff to two: Ken Jefferson and Mike Williams. A runoff will be held May 19.
Jimmy Holderfield, who received 20 percent of the vote in the first election, appeared with Jefferson on Thursday, urging his supporters to vote for Jefferson.
Recommended Videos
Holderfield said at a news conference that Jefferson is the better candidate to connect with the community and to improve morale within the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
"When you look at various platforms, his lines up clearly along with mine to a great extent -- with the connecting with the community, protecting and serving the citizens of this great city," Jefferson said.
While Jacksonville elections are nonpartisan, Holderfield is a Republican -- as is Williams -- and Jefferson is a Democrat. Holderfield said he's concerned more about who's best for the job than party affiliation, adding that "the right choice isn't always the easy choice."
"I knew that some people are concerned with me crossing over, but it's not about a party, it's about what's best for this city and what's best for the men and women of this agency," Holderfield said.
Holderfield said he will be active in Jefferson's campaign, from fundraising to knocking on doors.
About an hour after Holderfield's endorsement of Jefferson, the Williams campaign announced a Thursday evening news conference that will include the fourth- and seventh-place candidates in the first election: Jay Farhat and Lonnie McDonald.
McDonald, who drew 2 percent of the vote, released a statement last week endorsing Williams.
"Mike Williams will be a great sheriff for Jacksonville and he has my full support," McDonald wrote.
Williams, who retired as director of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office after 23 years with the department, drew 22 percent of the vote Tuesday, 14 points behind Jefferson, who is also a retired JSO officer.
Both men started the first day of their runoff campaigns with appearances on The Morning Show.
FULL INTERVIEWS: Ken Jefferson | Mike Williams
Sheriff