I created the previous version of this thread for the 2023 election (https://forum.metrojacksonville.com/index.php?msg=507052), and it seems there's some desire (https://forum.metrojacksonville.com/index.php?msg=536750) to start the conversation about this next election, so let's have at it.
Just to establish the facts, incumbent Mayor Donna Deegan announced in a video this week (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOAyMxSWtsY&pp=ygUMZG9ubmEgZGVlZ2Fu) that she would run for a second term:
That leaves the opportunity, given Jacksonville's "jungle primary" system, for whoever can garner the support of enough citizens to challenge said incumbent, or seek one of the other local offices up for grabs next year.
Duval County previously voted for President Joe Biden in 2020, the first time it did so in a presidential race since Jimmy Carter in 1976, before flipping to reelect President Donald Trump in 2024. It similarly supported Andrew Gillum's unsuccessful bid for Governor of Florida in 2018, before flipping to reelect Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022.
Who local voters will support in this year's state elections or the upcoming municipal elections is yet to be seen.
And the Florida GOP is still trying to manufacture scandals. Seems time would be better spent on trying to field a real candidate
QuoteThe Republican Party of Florida on Friday announced that it is filing a formal complaint with the Florida Elections Commission against Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan's re-election campaign.
...
In a media release, the GOP said that hours after she filed, Deegan's campaign released a "polished, multi-minute video featuring staged footage of Deegan — including scenes filmed in her downtown office - along with testimonials, edited news clips, and multiple filming locations across Jacksonville."
"That kind of production doesn't happen in a few hours - and it doesn't happen for free," the Republican Party of Florida wrote.
The Republican Party of Florida's complaint outlines alleged violations of Chapter 106, Florida Statutes, including accepting in-kind contributions, making expenditures, and/or authorizing campaign expenditures prior to opening a campaign account and authorizing expenditures without sufficient funds on deposit in a campaign account.
The Republican Party of Florida is requesting that the Florida Elections Commission initiate an investigation.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/04/17/gop-claims-mayor-broke-the-law-with-re-election-video-deegan-rep-says-everything-was-done-by-the-book/
The irony is that anything of substance to complain about in Jacksonville traces back to a GOP mayor -- that's kind of the catch with being the historically dominant party in local politics. So they have to rely on cheap tricks like attempting to nationalize the race (GUN REGISTRY!!!) or manufacture scandal.
Ron Armstrong highlights some very real issues in our city, and I think that's productive. But it's inaccurate to lay those issues at the feet of the current administration, when they have been trying far harder than anyone in a long time to address maintenance deficits.
Based on her actions as our city's executive, I wouldn't have any idea what party Deegan belongs to. I think that's high praise.