St. Johns County Senator steps down

Alvin Brown announced to Historic City News and the media yesterday that a pair of Democratic legislators from Northeast Florida will serve in his administration when he takes office as Jacksonville’s first black mayor today.

Senator Tony Hill, whose district consists of portions of St. Johns, Duval, Flagler, Putnam and Volusia counties, has accepted a position as “special assistant and liaison” to Tallahassee and Washington D.C.; using his political connections to serve Brown.

In St. Johns County, Hill’s district runs from the Duval County line through World Golf Village; including West Augustine, Hastings and Flagler Estates.

Hill had reached his term limit and would have been out of office in 2012 — he resigned his post early, so, a special election will be required to fill his seat.

Two former lawmakers – Terry Fields and Audrey Gibson – are among four candidates who had already filed to run for Hill’s seat in 2012 and have indicated they will likely run in the special election.

Hill does not chair any committee in the Senate but does serve as vice chairman of two. He also serves on the Budget Subcommittee on General Government Appropriations and the Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations.

Hill was first elected to the Florida Senate in 2002 and served in the Florida House from 1992-2000.

Hill once staged a sit in with former Congressman Kendrick Meek, when Meek was a state senator, protesting then-Governor Jeb Bush’s executive order abolishing affirmative action in university admissions and state contracting.

Representative Mia Jones also is taking a position as special assistant. But Jones said in a statement that the position “does not conflict with my legislative duties in the Florida House of Representatives” and that she would not have to resign.

The announcements don’t come as a surprise. Both Hill and Jones served on Brown’s transition team.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer