Former Elections Supervisor John Stafford Dies

By Deanna Fené First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The former Supervisor of Elections for Duval County has died. John Stafford died on Sunday at the age of 60. He resigned in 2004 because of poor health.

Robert Phillips was one of his good friends. "He was a lot more than a boss; he was my friend,? says Phillips. He also worked under Stafford as the Director of Operations. He says all the problems during the 2000 Election took a toll on Stafford's health. Phillips says, "He was right there at the forefront of all the controversy but he was here every day. His health came in second to the needs of the community."

Stafford was in the middle of a post election storm in the 2000 Presidential race and Duval County came under a microscope.

Jerry Holland is the current Supervisor of Elections. "The 2000 election really changed elections throughout the country. It was tough on all supervisors, mostly in the state of Florida because of how close the race was, but it was a tough race."

Stafford was re-elected and pushed for better voting machines, but in 2004 he was forced to resign because of his poor health. His friends at the elections office says he will be missed. Phillips says, "I was very sad. John was more than a boss he was my friend. He was a mentor. I learned a lot from him."

Stafford worked for elections since 1988 and for the city since 1970. Jerry Holland says he will be remembered as a very good public servant; one that really had a passion for the elections.

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