McCaffrey Gets Webb Endorsement

Throwing her support behind a challenger instead of the people she works with each week, City Councilwoman Sandi Webb Wednesday endorsed Mike McCaffrey in the race for two council seats now occupied by Bill Davis and Barbara Williamson.

Webb said her decision was the result of her long friendship with McCaffrey--he used to be her insurance agent--as well as their agreement on many issues. The endorsement, she said, was not due to any political or personal rift between her and her fellow council members.

“This really isn’t against them--this is for Mike,” she said. “I think he would do a wonderful job.”

While pleased with the endorsement, McCaffrey said the move showed some disagreement between Webb and the two incumbents, though he said he did not know the source of the disagreement.

“To me, the issue of the endorsement is her obvious frustration with the other two,” he said. “Any time a sitting council member endorses someone other than the people she works with, it speaks volumes.”

McCaffrey is one of four challengers seeking Davis’ and Williamson’s posts. He has made easing regulations on small businesses a key issue in his campaign.

Davis and Williamson both doubted the endorsement would hurt their chances at reelection.

“Hopefully, I’ve done enough for this community, and my past speaks for itself,” Williamson said.

Both incumbents said Webb was entitled to support whomever she pleased.

“She certainly has the ability and the right to do what she wants to do, back whoever she wants to back,” Davis said. “If I get reelected, and she comes up next time, I’ll have the same right.”