Jacksonville Mayoral Election 2023

[vicupstate]

Meanwhile, this came out just a few days ago:

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/04/04/jacksonville-ethics-commission-decides-against-pursuing-investigation-into-possible-cumber-jea-connections/

Oh really?  But it wasn't just a political stunt job to kill an opponent's chances...it was investigating real matters!

This is a city filled with conservatives who hate what's happened in DC and to our country.  And yet, the same thing is happening to our own city by people who put an R by their name.  Den of thieves...corruption, greed, insatiable desire for power and for money every which way.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely. There is no viable opposition to the GOP in Jacksonville or Florida.

[Tacachale]

Donna won that debate decisively. Davis nailed a few questions, but he came off weird and robotic for most of it, and he totally blew the questions on Lot J and negotiating the stadium deal. I dubbed him Chamberbot 2000 on Twitter last night, which I'm pretty pleased with: https://twitter.com/Tacachale/status/1649187242441580545

I expect even Republicans who were unimpressed with Davis's performance and answers will still turn out for him. Donna's continuing to show momentum into the last weeks, but it'll be a matter of turnout.

Another lesson for the cons: Davis was better when he was off the cuff. If that Davis were the one we were seeing, he'd probably have this election buttoned up. That is to say, he would be a FAR better candidate if he wasn't just regurgitating so many canned answers and falling back so much on name dropping (he mentioned Sheriff Waters like 1000 times) and attack ads. The machine consultants that are supposed to be helping him are making him a worse candidate.

[jaxlongtimer]

I missed it. Didn't know that it was tonight.

If you missed the debate, you can watch it in full online here: https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/duval-county/watch-live-7-action-news-jaxs-davis-deegan-jacksonville-mayoral-debate-live-unf/KW2YF4LPENCNNJ7IJJYXKX4ZRE/

And here is a Times Union overview of some of the major lines in the debate: https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2023/04/20/jacksonville-mayoral-candidates-davis-deegan-debate-crime-rate-jea-stadium-at-unf-on-action-news-jax/70123268007/

And here is a debate about the performances during the debate:  https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/politics/action-news-jaxs-ben-becker-breaks-down-davis-deegan-debate-with-republican-democratic-analysts/T5QMBBBAMJDS5OVF2ADK6NKROQ/

I think the last link above just reinforces how strong Deegan debated vs. Davis.  Substance vs. fluff.

[jaxlongtimer]

Nate Monroe deconstructs Davis's campaign with devastating effect. 

As Curry 2.0, Monroe points out that Davis's stances, best one can make out, are all slights upon Curry.  So, essentially, by being Curry 2.0, Davis is running against himself and, thus, admitting he will be as incompetent as Curry.  Starting with his play on crime and hiring more cops.

The Jacksonville mayoral campaign is a rotten sequel

....JAX Chamber President Daniel Davis can't directly criticize this tragic run under Curry, who supports Davis' candidacy and with whom he shares a political consultant, but the organizing principle of Davis' mayoral campaign assumes Jacksonville is a city drowning in crime and in urgent need of more cops — a situation so dire the mere election of someone who is not Daniel Davis could well teeter the city into a violent oblivion. Daniel Davis, you see, has the answers.

It is a hall of mirrors — an offered solution to a problem perpetuated by the very people hoping to once again return to power. That this is a rotten sequel to the 2015 campaign, that the rhetoric and promises of more police on the ground are almost comically identical, that, to the extent Davis' insipid campaign can claim any level of substance, the substance actually suggests Davis has a bigger problem with Curry than he does his Democratic opponent, hardly seems to register as Davis earnestly prattles on about stuff we all heard eight years ago when The Big Problem was less of a big problem than it is today.....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/columns/nate-monroe/2023/04/21/jacksonville-mayoral-campaign-is-a-bad-sequel-nate-monroe/70136987007/

[fsu813]

Nate Monroe deconstructs Davis's campaign with devastating effect. 

As Curry 2.0, Monroe points out that Davis's stances, best one can make out, are all slights upon Curry.  So, essentially, by being Curry 2.0, Davis is running against himself and, thus, admitting he will be as incompetent as Curry.  Starting with his play on crime and hiring more cops.

The Jacksonville mayoral campaign is a rotten sequel

....JAX Chamber President Daniel Davis can't directly criticize this tragic run under Curry, who supports Davis' candidacy and with whom he shares a political consultant, but the organizing principle of Davis' mayoral campaign assumes Jacksonville is a city drowning in crime and in urgent need of more cops — a situation so dire the mere election of someone who is not Daniel Davis could well teeter the city into a violent oblivion. Daniel Davis, you see, has the answers.

It is a hall of mirrors — an offered solution to a problem perpetuated by the very people hoping to once again return to power. That this is a rotten sequel to the 2015 campaign, that the rhetoric and promises of more police on the ground are almost comically identical, that, to the extent Davis' insipid campaign can claim any level of substance, the substance actually suggests Davis has a bigger problem with Curry than he does his Democratic opponent, hardly seems to register as Davis earnestly prattles on about stuff we all heard eight years ago when The Big Problem was less of a big problem than it is today.....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/columns/nate-monroe/2023/04/21/jacksonville-mayoral-campaign-is-a-bad-sequel-nate-monroe/70136987007/

Putting a bit too much meaning into these degree-apart criticisms of Curry.

Most voters don't follow local politics that closely. Curry is fine being the unspoken heel if it helps the candidate he prefers. The goal is to win, not be the most technically coherent. Everything in a Baker campaign is geared towards that: winning.

[jaxlongtimer]

Deegan and Davis had another "debate" on WOKV.  Below is the link to the broadcast streamed... starts at about 5:45 for some reason.  A bit more freestyle and one-on-one vs. the televised debate so more heated and "entertaining."  Less intervention of the "moderators" who let Deegan and Davis go toe-to-toe more. 

My take:
Deegan hammered Davis on being a continuation of "establishment" politicians and their failures to address everyday citizen needs.  She also hammered him on his negative ads and divisive campaign, even claiming police on the street were concerned with its impact. I think Davis was working extra hard to come across as relaxed and chill... trying to be a Mr. Nice guy to offset his negative image but he negated all that by not owning up to his negative campaign that we are all familiar with and that Deegan pounded him on.  This followed a pattern of her being much more aggressive in asserting her positions than Davis.  He mainly resorted to his usual platitudes and found himself more in a defensive, than offensive mode.  Deegan does come across as knowledgeable about most every issue undercutting Davis's position that she lacks experience for the job.  I also think Deegan succeeded in being open to new ways of doing business vs. Davis defending the status quo, reinforcing the theme of bringing change.

Lots of general promises from Davis but not much on how he would deliver or pay for them.  Many of his answers seemed to circle back to addressing crime.  Davis also promised an entertainment venue at the "Eastside" (codeword, Lot J again?) and an innovation corridor (codeword for U2C support?).  Davis claimed "friendships" with the NEXT 4 State Senate AND State House speakers... that's going out over 8 years from now.  I wonder how he can predict those elections for all those future years?  With term limits and elections, who knows who will around for each such office election?  Deegan needs to call him out on that claim for sure. I see a pattern of Davis simplistically taking exaggerated credit for anything positive and ignoring anything negative.  Typical politician behavior.  To add, he also thinks he can objectively negotiate a stadium deal with the Jags... really, given his backers and role in the establishment?  Curry's endorsement of him is a proxy for Khan's in my opinion. 

Listen to the discussion yourself and draw your own conclusions...

https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1jMJgLEkEjOxL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1650831083993444352%7Ctwgr%5E64e907dad11aeab4fc06b2cb85923b03048da228%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jacksonville.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Felections%2Flocal%2F2023%2F04%2F25%2Fdonna-deegan-daniel-davis-debate-pension-jax-journey-in-heated-104-5-wokv-jacksonville-mayoral-forum%2F70147917007%2F

[pierre]

Davis has Little Lenny on Twitter accusing Deegan of being corrupt. Project much??

[jaxlongtimer]

I posted the below on another thread but it also belongs here...

Although posters here may differ on the ultimate ways to address issues, at least we are thinking proactively, long term, creatively and with passion for the best interests of our community.  All that is missing in most of our City leadership.

While maybe not perfect (who is?), I believe Donna Deegan comes closest to aligning with the views I see expressed on the Jaxson.  If correct, I hope everyone turns out and exercises their right to vote for her.

Today, Matt Carlucci crossed party lines to endorse Deegan for the very reasons you have posted.  As he notes, local politics should not be about party, but about who cares and can best lead this City forward.  Like Carlucci, I think the choice is clear.

[jaxlongtimer]

Here is more on Republican Matt Carlucci's endorsement this week of Donna Deegan, calling her a uniter, not a divider:

Matt Carlucci endorses Donna Deegan in Jacksonville mayor's race

Matt Carlucci dropped his own bid for mayor before his campaign really kicked in, but the moderate Republican said Donna Deegan has been running her campaign the same way he would have and that appeal to unity convinced him to endorse her.

"I've always said Jacksonville moves best when we move together, and I just think she's the best candidate to do that," Carlucci said....

....Carlucci said beyond agreeing with the local government issues Deegan is running on, he also decided to endorse her because he said she's run a positive campaign while Davis has tried to use Deegan's participation in Black Lives Matter rallies in 2020 to attack her in political ads.

Carlucci said that like Deegan, he attended peaceful Black Lives Matter marches that were joined by other City Council members, Mayor Lenny Curry and members of the Jaguars.

"To imply that she was part of radical behavior that happened hours and hour later, that's disingenuous and as a matter of fact, that's dishonest," Carlucci said.

Davis said at an April 20 mayoral debate moderated by Action News Jacksonville the Black Lives Matter ads are intended to show what happens in cities where "radical activists" are placed in charge of police departments....

....Carlucci said in local government office, party labels shouldn't matter and he expects Deegan would not govern as a partisan.

""It's about changing the culture of the governance of the city, and you can't do that when you're playing party politics because party politics divide," Carlucci said. "The message I like hearing from her is about uniting Jacksonville."...

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2023/04/27/donna-deegan-captures-endorsement-in-jacksonville-mayor-race/70153421007/

[jaxlongtimer]

Looks like Daniel Davis is continuing to "duck and weave" regarding public appearances. 

News4Jax and First Coast News are joining together to present a mayoral forum on May 3rd to be simulcast on both stations.  Deegan has accepted, Davis has so far declined. 

Great, Deegan will have two top media outlets all to herself for an hour leading up to the runoff.  Wonder what that opportunity would cost a campaign to buy .

Mayoral Candidate Forum to air on Channel 4 and First Coast News, May 3, 7 p.m.

Panel includes: Kent Justice of WJXT, Anthony Austin of First Coast News, Melissa Ross of WJCT 89.9 and Nate Monroe of the Florida Times Union

As the election approaches - next week, we are going to take a closer look at some of the issues that are most important to our city.

Join us Wednesday night, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. for our Vote 2023: Jacksonville Mayoral Candidate Forum, on Channel 4 and simulcast on First Coast News.

Kent Justice will be joined by a panel of local journalists to ask the questions that matter most to residents: Anthony Austin of First Coast News, Melissa Ross of WJCT 89.9 and Nate Monroe of the Florida Times Union.

Democrat Donna Deegan has confirmed she will participate. Republican Daniel Davis has so far, declined.

Again – that's Wednesday night, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 4 and simulcast on First Coast News. And of course, you can catch it streaming on News4JAX.com and News4JAX+.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/04/28/wjxt-news4jax-hosts-jacksonville-mayoral-candidate-forum-with-local-journalists/

[pierre]

I've never seen a candidate for an executive level position that is less interested in being seen or heard from than Davis. If he gets elected, is he going to have other people speak for him?

[fsu813]

Looks like Daniel Davis is continuing to "duck and weave" regarding public appearances. 

News4Jax and First Coast News are joining together to present a mayoral forum on May 3rd to be simulcast on both stations.  Deegan has accepted, Davis has so far declined. 

Great, Deegan will have two top media outlets all to herself for an hour leading up to the runoff.  Wonder what that opportunity would cost a campaign to buy .

Mayoral Candidate Forum to air on Channel 4 and First Coast News, May 3, 7 p.m.

Panel includes: Kent Justice of WJXT, Anthony Austin of First Coast News, Melissa Ross of WJCT 89.9 and Nate Monroe of the Florida Times Union

As the election approaches - next week, we are going to take a closer look at some of the issues that are most important to our city.

Join us Wednesday night, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. for our Vote 2023: Jacksonville Mayoral Candidate Forum, on Channel 4 and simulcast on First Coast News.

Kent Justice will be joined by a panel of local journalists to ask the questions that matter most to residents: Anthony Austin of First Coast News, Melissa Ross of WJCT 89.9 and Nate Monroe of the Florida Times Union.

Democrat Donna Deegan has confirmed she will participate. Republican Daniel Davis has so far, declined.

Again – that's Wednesday night, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 4 and simulcast on First Coast News. And of course, you can catch it streaming on News4JAX.com and News4JAX+.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/04/28/wjxt-news4jax-hosts-jacksonville-mayoral-candidate-forum-with-local-journalists/

More context: Davis had already publicized participating in a different public meeting at the same day/time, before this debate was scheduled:

https://twitter.com/DanielDavisFL/status/1651228475041218562

Funny how a debate was scheduled without seeing if both candidates were available, and when one isn't, little details like an already planned/publicized event get left out of the explanation....

Surely a coincidence!

And while I truly do love Ross and Monroe -they're invaluable to Jacksonville- they both have expressed obvious bias. Ross has misrepresented Davis's positions on air multiple times, Monroe has criticized Davis with great subjectivity more so than any other media member. Not exactly a warm welcome to participate.

All that said, yes, it'll be interesting to see if the selective nature of Davis's engagement will be successful. If it is, crown Baker and put him in the Campaign Hall of Fame. If not, will go down as a catastrophe.

[Snaketoz]

Why wouldn't Ross and Monroe have an "obvious bias".  Anyone watching Davis' ads and seeing him stammer in interviews and forums should be biased against this empty suit.  Perhaps Ross and Monroe care about Jacksonville's future.  The only people who could have a Davis bias are those who will benefit from his election, GOP diehards, and those who want to continue Curry's legacy.  So far, and according to Davis' statements, I see the only reason to vote for Davis is his endorsement by T.K. Waters.

[jaxlongtimer]

^Monroe is a columnist, not a reporter, for most of his writing.  As such, he is supposed to have opinions, aka a bias, on issues.  He generally backs them up with a solid foundation of factual information.  Unfortunately, some people have trouble accepting those facts so they disagree with his take on them.  However, Monroe's strength is he is usually hitting the nail on the head.

As a radio host of a public affairs program, Ross is generally down the middle.  It is her job to point out differences people have with her guests to stir thoughtful debate and to see if her guests can convincingly back up their positions.  She will also point out extreme views or behavior as out of the mainstream, uncivil, or just plain false.  Often, the right-wing types won't accept her invitations to appear on her show so that may give it the appearance of "bias" but that's not on her, that's on those espousing such views.  In this fashion, if Davis won't agree to be a guest to take on questions from Ross and her callers from the public, that's on him.  Best I can tell, Deegan is always at the ready to take on such challenges.

[jaxlongtimer]

More context: Davis had already publicized participating in a different public meeting at the same day/time, before this debate was scheduled:

https://twitter.com/DanielDavisFL/status/1651228475041218562

Funny how a debate was scheduled without seeing if both candidates were available, and when one isn't, little details like an already planned/publicized event get left out of the explanation....

Surely a coincidence!

FSU, turns out Davis knew of this date all the way back in January.  So what you say now? 

....In a press release Monday, WJXT representatives said all candidates were told about the forum dates in January and formally invited Deegan and Davis after they advanced to the general election in March. Deegan accepted, but Davis declined repeatedly, the release said....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2023/05/01/ju-wjxt-to-host-third-televised-jacksonville-mayoral-debate/70169854007/