Jay Fant

Julian E. "Jay" Fant (born March 28, 1968) is a Republican politician who formerly served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 15th District, which includes parts of downtown Jacksonville in southern Duval County, from 2014 to 2018.

Jay Fant
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 15th district
In office
November 4, 2014 – November 6, 2018
Preceded byDaniel Davis
Succeeded byWyman Duggan
Personal details
Born (1968-03-28) March 28, 1968
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Lauren Lovett
Children4
EducationWashington and Lee University (BS)
University of Florida (JD)

Early life, education, and career

Fant was born in Jacksonville in 1968 to an established family; the Fant Family first moved to the area in 1920 and started First Guaranty Bank in 1947,[1] which his father later ran.[2] He attended Washington and Lee University, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1990, and then the University of Florida College of Law at the University of Florida, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1994.

Upon graduation in 1994, Fant returned home and was elected to serve on the board of First Guaranty Bank, and he began managing the operations of the company in 2001.[3] Fant worked in trust administration and corporate management until 2003, when he was named president and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.[4] He remained President until 2009 when he was promoted to Chairman.[5] In 2010, Fant turned over daily management,[6] and his employment with the bank came to a close in 2012. The bank had performed well earlier in Fant's leadership,[7][8][5] but by 2012, the bank had failed because it had acquired a number of troubled loans and had received a number of poor financial stability ratings from independent firms, and it was in negotiations to be purchased by CertusBank.[9][10] However, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation stepped in at that point and the bank went into FDIC receivership.[11] Fant began working with CenterState, which ended up as the owner of First Guaranty Bank, as a senior legal counsel and on the advisory board.[12]

Fant opposed the federal takeover of mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2008 stating that they would become a long term taxpayer burden.[13][14] He also opposed the government bailouts of larger banks at the expense of smaller banks like his that did not participate in sub-prime residential lending.[15][16]

Fant was active in the Tea Party movement in 2009.[17]

Florida House of Representatives

2014 election

Leading up to the 2014 elections, incumbent State Representative Daniel Davis declined to seek a third term in the legislature. In October 2013, Fant announced his candidacy for his seat.[18] He faced attorney Paul Renner in the Republican primary, and both candidates agreed on the need to expand the Port of Jacksonville, to attract jobs to the state, and to provide more school choice to parents. Fant also called for increased assistance and incentives to veterans, noting, "I have a proposal that would encourage vets, when they come back and retire from the military, to start their businesses in Florida, and they'll get some breaks on the licensing fees to do that."[19] During the campaign, Fant incorrectly claimed endorsements from the National Rifle Association and Florida Right to Life, neither of which had made an endorsement in the contest, though they gave both candidates "A" ratings. Fant's campaign corrected the video, which the candidate had made during an interview with The Florida Times-Union's editorial board.[20]

Ultimately, the contest proved to be close and hard-fought,[21] with Fant finishing just three votes ahead of Renner, prompting a manual recount. The recount lowered Fant's margin to just two votes but uncovered no additional errors, and Renner conceded to him.[22][23][24] Renner was elected to the Florida House in another district a few months later.[25]

In the general election, Fant faced only write-in opposition, and easily won his first term in the legislature with nearly 100% of the vote.

Tenure

During his tenure, Fant sat on the House Judiciary Committee, Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Finance & Tax Committee, Government Operations Subcommittee, Insurance & Banking Subcommittee, Education Committee, Government Accountability Committee, Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee, Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, Ways and Means Committee and Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee.[26][27]

Fant sponsored a bill to improve access to online property especially in the management of wills and estates.[28] It ultimately became law.[29] Fant supported the Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida programs.[30] He opposed gun control laws.[31][32][33]

In 2017 Fant declared his candidacy for Attorney General in the upcoming election,[34][35] but he withdrew in June 2018.[36]

Personal life

Fant is married and has four children. From 2006 through 2008 Fant led the All Pro Dad Experience in Jacksonville, which sought to strengthen the relationship between fathers and their children.[37][38] He also volunteered in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeast Florida.[39]

References
  1. The Florida Times-Union by Simon Barker-Benfield, February 25, 1999 "First Guaranty Moving to Mandarin".
  2. Patton, Charlie. "'Mr. First Guaranty' has a long history in banks". The Florida Times-Union.
  3. "Profile: Julian 'Jay' Fant III | Jax Daily Record". Financial News & Daily Record - Jacksonville, Florida. September 24, 2003.
  4. Jacksonville Business Journal, May 23–29, 2003 "Weiss gives high marks to First Guaranty Bank".
  5. "From Fant to Fant: It's a family tradition | Jax Daily Record". Financial News & Daily Record - Jacksonville, Florida. March 20, 2009.
  6. "From intern to bank president | Jax Daily Record". Financial News & Daily Record - Jacksonville, Florida. July 3, 2008.
  7. Jacksonville Business Journal, May 23–29, 2003 “Weiss gives high marks to First Guaranty Bank"
  8. The Florida Times-Union, January 17, 2005, "Area banks get top marks from financial firm"
  9. "First Guaranty sells 7 of 8 branches to CertusBank | Jax Daily Record". Financial News & Daily Record - Jacksonville, Florida. November 10, 2011.
  10. https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/print-edition/2011/11/18/first-guaranty-deal-may-be-model-for.html. Retrieved 2019-11-26. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. "CenterState Bank reopens First Guaranty today | Jax Daily Record". Financial News & Daily Record - Jacksonville, Florida. January 30, 2012.
  12. Bauerlein, David (February 4, 2012). "First Guaranty sought survival until its final day". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  13. "Story". www.bizjournals.com. 2008. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  14. The Florida Times-Union, Letter to the Editor by Jay Fant, August 3, 2008 "Recent crisis proves America's financial system remains sound"
  15. "Story". www.bizjournals.com. 2009. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  16. "Info". www.bizjournals.com. 2008. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  17. "Story". www.bizjournals.com. 2009. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  18. "Fant to run". www.bizjournals.com. 2013. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  19. Winslow, Hailey (August 26, 2014). "Veteran Renner, businessman Fant battle in Republican primary in Florida House District 15". WJXT. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  20. Bauerlein, David (August 12, 2014). "House candidate Jay Fant's campaign says it was "honest mistake" when he incorrectly touted NRA and Right to Life endorsements". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  21. "Fant, Renner state House race has been ugly and expensive | Jax Daily Record". Financial News & Daily Record - Jacksonville, Florida. August 22, 2014.
  22. Bauerlein, David (August 29, 2014). "Jay Fant wins by mere 2 votes in District 15 recount, proof as mantra goes, that 'your vote counts'". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  23. Derby, Kevin (August 29, 2014). "Jay Fant Holds Off Paul Renner by Two Votes in Jacksonville GOP Primary". Sunshine State News | Florida Political News.
  24. Harding, Ashley. "Jay Fant wins state House primary by 2 votes". WJXT.
  25. Mitchell, Tia. "Tia Mitchell: Fant, Renner once rivals -- now best buds". The Florida Times-Union.
  26. "Jay Fant - 2014 - 2016 ( Speaker Crisafulli )". myfloridahouse.gov.
  27. "Jay Fant - 2016 - 2018 ( Speaker Corcoran )". myfloridahouse.gov.
  28. McCarthy, Regan. "Bill Seeks To Decide What Happens To A Digital Life After Physical Death". news.wfsu.org.
  29. "Statutes & Constitution :Search Statutes : Online Sunshine". www.leg.state.fl.us.
  30. Evans, Nick. "AG Candidate Jay Fant Earns Gov's Praise For Backing EFI". news.wfsu.org.
  31. "Florida attorney general candidate on Parkland: 'Let's not let this tragedy take away our right to bear arms'". Tampa Bay Times.
  32. "Florida Lawmaker: 'Gun Bans Don't Work' In Prevent Shootings | MTP Daily | MSNBC" – via www.youtube.com.
  33. Rohrer, Gray. "Lawmakers again reject assault-weapons ban as gun bills move to floors". orlandosentinel.com.
  34. Herald, Miami. "Rep. Jay Fant enters Republican primary for attorney general | Naked Politics". miamiherald.typepad.com.
  35. Burgess, Brian (February 3, 2018). "Sparks Fly at Federalist Society Attorney General Debate". The Capitolist.
  36. Gancarski, A.G. (June 20, 2018). "Jay Fant exiting Attorney General race, applying for OFR commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  37. The Florida Times-Union by Brandis Jest, November 2008, "Fathers-and-football event to help fight crime"
  38. First Coast News by Joy Purdy, October 15, 2008, "Local Banker Helps Families Bond Through NFL Experience"
  39. "Jay Fant - The Dan Griffis Story". Vimeo.
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