Duval clerk of courts vote will determine fate of courthouse weddings

The race for Duval County clerk of courts will determine whether clerk employees will start performing marriage ceremonies at the courthouse again.

In 2015, Republican incumbent Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell decided his employees would not marry any couples at the Duval County Courthouse after a federal judge overturned Florida's ban on same sex marriage.

Fussell said he made the decision because some members of his staff did not feel comfortable performing same-sex ceremonies.

“I think he’s made some poor choices as clerk,” said his Democratic opponent, Paula Bartlett. “Specifically, the decision to stop all marriages because he chooses not to follow the Supreme Court’s decision.”

Since then, the room specially built in the new courthouse for weddings has only been used for overflow. It cost about $280,000 to build.

“It’s appalling, in a city where our motto is ‘the bold new city of the south.’ And we have not taken any bold steps,” said Bartlett.

Bartlett considers herself an underdog outsider looking to shake the office up.

Fussell’s campaign has raised nearly 10-times as much money as hers.

“We still sometimes – most of the times – run on, ‘I’m the good ol’ boy and I’ve been here for a while, so elect me.’

And that’s not working for us,” said Bartlett.

Fussell has not responded to Action News Jax’s multiple calls and emails requesting an interview for this story.

Fussell’s campaign website said some of his accomplishments during his first term include streamlining the process of mailing jury summons, adding passport services which increased net income by $115,000 a year, and securing free parking for jurors.

Cox Media Group