JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Duval County Clerk of Courts Jim Fuller will not be allowed to run for a fourth term, as the city of Jacksonville has won its lawsuit against him.

Fuller told First Coast News at the end of July, "If they (the city) win, I bow out gracefully," just after the city filed its suit. Judge William Wilkes made the ruling.

On Friday, Fuller seemed to echo the same sentiment, as he told FCN, "God has a plan for everyone's life. He gave me 12 years there. We've done a great job there.

"He (Wilkes) made his ruling ... he ruled not in my favor. That's something I'll have to deal with."

The General Counsel's office took legal action at the request of the city council to enforce term limits of two four-year terms. The Florida Supreme Court recently upheld term limits in Broward County. Fuller was convinced the Broward case did not apply to him or other constitutional officers.

Prior to the suit, absentee ballots had already been mailed out naming Fuller and Ronnie Fussell as candidates in the Republican primary. The winner would have faced Democrats Bill Hodges and Brenda Priestly Jackson in the November election.

Fuller said the ballots will not be reprinted. It will just be stated on the ballots that he is not a valid candidate.

Hodges issued a statement, saying he was pleased that the court moved quickly to avoid a special election.

"I applaud the decision of the court to act quickly on the matter of Jim Fuller's eligibility to run for another term as Duval Clerk of the Circuit Court. I hope that we will be able to move forward knowing that we saved the taxpayers of Duval County the cost of holding a special election. As Chief Administrative Officer in the State Attorney's Office, I always enjoyed working with Jim and his staff and thank him for his long service to the community."

Fuller said his immediate plans include recreational activities.

He said he "will be talking to folks down the road. We'll see where life leads me. Will do some deer hunting for now."

First Coast News