Davis to attend Fraternal Order of Police town hall, but Deegan not confirmed

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – Republican Jacksonville mayoral candidate Daniel Davis will attend the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police Public Safety Mayoral Town Hall while Democrat Donna Deegan has not confirmed whether she is attending, according to the group.

Davis and Deegan are heading to a runoff election May 16.

President of the Fraternal Order of Police Randy Reaves said both Davis and Deegan were invited. 

“I just think it’s a good opportunity for the voters to actually hear the mayoral candidates actually interact with the sheriff, which I think that relationship is a very important one,” Reaves said.

In January, the Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Davis for mayor as well as Sheriff T.K. Waters.

Florida’s Voice asked the Deegan campaign whether she would attend and did not receive an immediate response. 

The event will be April 19 and will feature Waters, Baker County Sheriff Scott Rhoden, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Coo and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

Reaves said the Fraternal Order of Police is presenting the town hall because public safety in Jacksonville is top of the list for priorities for voters.

“I think it’s a great time to, anytime we can have the law enforcement leaders come together with Sheriff waters and the mayoral candidates to have these conversations, I think it’s beneficial for the whole community,” Reaves said.

Reaves explained that top issues for the group include how crime is “surging” across the country and knowing what their leaders will do to prevent the trend in Jacksonville. 

“And then we want to be proactive in trying to protect ourselves from that coming here in Jacksonville,” Reaves said. “Also retaining officers, and also recruiting officers to come into the profession. Those are the two big topics.”

Reaves said another “big topic” for the Fraternal Order of Police is funding and how they can use it to “the best of our ability and keep the community safe.”

“We are proud and we have full confidence in Daniel Davis to be the next mayor of Jacksonville,” Reaves said.

Waters also endorsed Davis and applauded his commitment to supporting law enforcement.

“One of the most important partnerships that JSO can have is a supportive mayor and only one candidate has a proven track record of supporting law enforcement and promoting innovative solutions to address violent crime in Jacksonville and that is Daniel Davis,” Waters 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. Davis also served on the Jacksonville City Council and served four years in the Florida 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.