News

By Jane Smith
    
    Delray Beach City Commissioner Al Jacquet has his eyes on the soon-to-be-vacated state House District 88 seat, currently held by Bobby Powell Jr.
    Powell has indicated he will run for the new state Senate District 25 that was created through court-ordered redistricting.
    If Powell makes that switch, that would clear the way for Jacquet’s state run.
So far, he is unopposed for the House District that begins in Riviera Beach and ends in Delray Beach.
    Jacquet filed to open a campaign account in early January for the state House seat. He won’t have to step down from the City Commission until he files to run for that seat when qualifying opens during the third week in June.
    The City Commission then may ask for applicants to fill the remainder of Jacquet’s term. He is up for re-election in March 2017.
    Jacquet could not be reached for comment. In January, he raised $20,050 with more than 40 percent coming from builders and developers.
    He was first elected to the Delray Beach City Commission in March 2012 to fill the remainder of the term when Commissioner Fred Fetzer resigned for health concerns the previous June. Jacquet was re-elected in March 2014.
    Under the city’s charter section on term limits, Jacquet would be able to run for re-election in 2017 because he would not reach his sixth year as a commissioner until 2018. The city charter allows for him to complete that term.
    On the City Commission dais, Jacquet’s state run comes up at most meetings.
    In early February when state Sen. Maria Sachs tried to get portions of Atlantic Avenue renamed for dedicated Democrats without notifying the county, Delray Beach or their officials, city commissioners expressed outrage. Because of the outcry, Sachs pulled the renaming of Atlantic Avenue from the bill.
    Commissioner Jordana Jarjura said, “Commissioner Jacquet, when you get elected to the state, you’ll make sure that no bills go through that affect Atlantic Avenue.”
    Jacquet said, “That is why it’s important to start on the local level. You learn home rule is very important. As to the street renaming, I agree that home rule — rules.”