Carole Jean Jordan replaces Stan Mayfield as tax collector

Less than a week after the death of state Rep. Stan Mayfield of Vero Beach, Indian River County Republicans on Monday night selected his vanquished primary rival, Carole Jean Jordan, to be the new county tax collector. Jordan, a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, narrowly won the backing of local Republicans at a special meeting at the Vero Beach Elks Club.

Jordan finished second with 27 percent of the vote in a three-way Republican primary that Mayfield won with 48 percent. (There's no Democratic candidate; the office is not on the Nov. 4 ballot). The job pays about $116,000 a year.

State Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer, who succeeded Jordan in the state post, spoke on her behalf before she edged Assistant Tax Collector Jeff Smith in a 41-35 vote, the Vero Beach Press Journal reports. Greer later issued a statement saying that Jordan "demonstrated fiscal responsibility and sound financial management" as state party leader.

Jordan, 64, owns a sprinkler company in Vero Beach. She also won re-election in August as Indian River County's Republican state committeewoman and is one of John McCain's 27 presidential electors in Florida.

*   

Comments

[Old Man of the Mountain]

Any fool knows that Carole Jean pledged her undying support to Greer's reelection before he supported her... the two hate one another but a deal's a deal.

Sad, the only way Carole Jean can win anything is in a fixed closed door meeting not officially open to the general public. She continues to be an embarrassment to my beloved GOP. She really must move on- and take Greer with her, if she likes.

Gringo, you have it all wrong

The politically connected beats out the competent again. No news here.

Shouldn't it be illegal for Republicans to handle taxpayer money in any way, shape, or form?

I've got 500 bucks at 10-1 that says Carole Jean resigns that spot on the exec board now.

One way to get her out of our hair!!

Question: Can Jim Greer get re-elected if we get swept in 2008? (IE, Obama wins Florida, we cough up 3 Congressional seats, maybe lose a state senate seat (Atwater, Altman, Alexander or Detert?) and lose 8-10 house seats?

An interesting question. Not much to hang your hat on there if things shake out that way, and they may very well before this all said and done.

I would say Greer needs all the friends he can get, but he and his staff, who live in a bubble, have alienated peed off most the RECs.

I'm surprised she got elected to anything higher than dog catcher. She is unreliable and untrustworthy. Her judgment is erratic.

Congratulations CJJ!

Well, she can forget about that whole "McCain elctor" thing... she won't be needed.