DeSantis endorses Daniel Davis for Jacksonville mayor

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Republican Jacksonville mayoral candidate Daniel Davis.

“Daniel Davis is the proven law and order Conservative Jacksonville needs to tackle the city’s greatest challenged and seize its biggest opportunities,” DeSantis said.

“I am proud to endorse Daniel Davis for Mayor because I trust him to fight for Jacksonville’s hardworking families, and I know he will stand with the city’s brave men and women in law enforcement.”

Davis and Donna Deegan, a Democrat, are heading to a runoff in the May 16 election.

Deegan received 39.50% of the vote and Davis received 24.73% in the March 21 election, according to unofficial results. That field included four Republican candidates, two Democrats and a no party affiliation candidate.

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.

The two candidates will participate in the runoff election for Jacksonville mayor on May 16.