JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – We're just one month away from electing a new sheriff for the city of Jacksonville. A new television ad for the Mike Williams campaign is gaining a lot of attention not just for garnering support for the Republican candidate.
In the ad, Williams takes a shot at the career of his opponent, Democrat Ken Jefferson.
This is the second ad Williams has launched since he threw his hat into the ring for the sheriff's office. He told News4Jax it first
aired Wednesday and it's the fastest way to reach people with the election so close.
It's the first television ad of the sheriff campaign to hit the airwaves since the primary election last month. In it, Williams lists his qualifications for the job.
"Homicide, robbery, the bomb squad, the SWAT team and Homeland Security," the ad reads.
Before ending, Williams takes a swipe at his opponent, Jefferson, who is a former public information officer for the Sheriff's Office and former News4Jax crime and safety expert.
"For sheriff, we don't need a TV spokesman. We need a real cop," the ad said.
News4Jax spoke with Jefferson about what was said in the ad.
"It is underestimating the experience and knowledge of a spokesperson," Jefferson said.
Jefferson told News4Jax his experience as a spokesperson allowed him to branch out all over the department.
"From property crimes to crimes against persons, to administrative," Jefferson said.
He said that experience is really a strength.
"Being a spokesman means that you've got to be well-versed, well educated, on the inwards and outwards of an agency. It well prepared me for such a time as this," Jefferson said.
News4Jax also talked to Williams on the phone. With the election right around the corner, he said his reason for airing the commercial was to get voters doing some research.
"I think the line in the commercial will do that," Williams said. "It may make people kind of dig into the resumes and the backgrounds, and really dig into the qualifications of the two people running for sheriff."
While the candidates have revealed different plans for attacking crime if they are elected, both have said their experience and hope for a safer, better Jacksonville make them the right pick. It's now up to the voting public.
The next sheriff's debate hosted by News4Jax will take place in May.