Jacksonville 2020 Host Committee adds three members, loses two

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville 2020 Host Committee announced they are added three new members to the non-profit group Tuesday afternoon.

The committee is in charge of preparing for the Republican National Convention taking place in Jacksonville in August.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Jacksonville City Councilmember Leanna Cumber are joining the committee.

“Jacksonville is an incredibly special part of our State and we are thrilled to share it with a national and global audience,” Moody said.

However two people have announced that they are leaving the committee: UF Health Jacksonville CEO Dr. Leon Haley and The Potter’s House International Ministries founder Vaughn McLaughlin.

UF Health Jacksonville announced that Haley was leaving due to the need to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As Northeast Florida’s only Level I trauma center, UF Health Jacksonville is extremely crucial to the city’s plan. Due to the need to focus on these preparations, along with the ongoing challenges due to COVID-19, Dr. Haley will not be serving on the host committee. However, Dr. Haley will continue to offer medical guidance to city officials and others as Jacksonville prepares for this major event.”

McLaughlin said in a Facebook video last week he never agreed to be part of the nonprofit group.