Florida House District 13: Carroll wins race for legislative seat

AARLC Note: Chairman Alex-St. James called Jennifer Carroll, newly elected Republican Jennifer Carroll to Florida House. The AARLC had previously endorsed Jennifer late in her campaign and promised to help retire campaign debts.

This is a sweet victory for the Republican Party, from a great candidate, the Chairman was heard saying. This is just the beginning for Jennifer very promising future as a public servant.

By Nin-Hai Tseng
Times-Union staff writer

It was a hard-earned victory last night for Republican Jennifer Carroll as she took the House District 13 seat from Republican opponent and former Duval County School Board member Linda Sparks.

In Clay County, Carroll grabbed about 86 percent of the vote, and in Duval County, she pulled in about 62 percent.

The district seat covers Jacksonville's Westside and the northern part of Clay County. Incumbent Mike Hogan vacated the seat to run for Duval County tax collector.

This was Carroll's third attempt at an elected office. The 42-year-old retired Navy officer was defeated in 2000 and 2002 congressional races by Democrat Corrine Brown. The win makes her the first Republican African-American woman to win a Florida House seat.

"I'm calm -- maybe it'll soak in tomorrow," Carroll said last night. "I'm looking forward to the challenge in working with the people." What made this race different from others, she said, was her greater ability to reach voters individually.