Davis and Deegan launch campaign ads leading up to mayoral election

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – Jacksonville Mayoral Candidates Daniel Davis, a Republican, and Donna Deegan, a Democrat, launched political ads leading up to the May 16 election.

The Davis campaign launched an ad against Deegan, which showed clips of what appeared to be violent Black Lives Matter protesters.

The ad repeated throughout with Deegan saying “I went to every one of those Black Lives Matter protests.”

It displayed news reports of Black Lives Matter supporting defunding of the police.

The ad also showed a clip from a First Coast News anchor saying “various protesters came and did considerable damage at the supervisor of elections office.”

Another quote from Deegan in the ad read, “We have got to have some sort of civilian review board that helps to hold our police officers accountable.”

Deegan responded in a video and called the ad against her “very unimaginative.” She said she believes a leader “has to be able to see from one side and has to be able to see from the other side.”

“So while I do believe police have a very dangerous job, and I believe that we need more officers on the streets and we’ll fund those, I also believe that black mamas shouldn’t have to worry every time their kids step out of the house,” Deegan said. “And I think the only way we create a safer city is with more communication and not less.”

Deegan released a campaign ad in March, after the election and shared some of her priorities.

“I love this city with all my heart and I want it to work for all of us. I’ve been to every neighborhood, listening. You’re tired of broken promises and ugly politics. You want change. Better streets and sidewalks, safe and healthy neighborhoods, an inclusive economy,” Deegan said in the ad.

During the Jacksonville mayoral debate before the March election, candidates talked about their priorities. One of the questions candidates were asked was how they would tackle crime in Jacksonville.

Deegan said while she is “all for adding additional officers,” she emphasized the need for tackling the “underlying causes” of crime such as food deserts and literacy.

“I’d love to see us look at a community policing model, that’s up to the sheriff. But for me, most of those levers are economic and I think we should bring a several pronged approach and get underneath these causes of crime,” Deegan said.

Davis noted his endorsements from Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and the Fraternal Order of Police. He said their endorsements are because they believe he will be the “best partner with them to help reduce crime.”

Davis also talked about previously leading the charge when he was on city council to add 100 new police officers to the streets. He wants to “re-implement” that and continue to add more police officers to the streets.

“I look forward to this opportunity to reevaluate how we’re spending our money and make sure we get more officers in the high crime area,” Davis said.

Davis has served as the president and CEO of Jax Chamber since 2013 with an emphasis on promoting business-friendly policies.

He was previously the executive director of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. It is Florida’s largest local membership trade association representing the building and construction industry in Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties.

Davis also served on the Jacksonville City Council and served four years in the State House of Representatives.

Deegan has 25 years of experience as a news reporter and is a former lead anchor for First Coast News. The candidate described herself as a proud Jacksonville native, award-winning local television news anchor and non-profit executive.