Donna Deegan wins Jacksonville mayoral race against Daniel Davis
Michelle Vecerina contributed to this report.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – Democrat Donna Deegan won in the Jacksonville mayoral runoff election against Republican Daniel Davis Tuesday evening, according to unofficial election results.
The two candidates fervently campaigned leading up the highly anticipated election.
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.
She has said Jacksonville has “got to create a city that turns the page on fear and division, that turns the page on self dealing politics.”
With one of voters’ top concerns being crime, Davis highlighted his endorsements from Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and Fraternal Order of Police President Randy Reaves. A series of campaign ads attacked Deegan for her “radical policies” while Deegan presented a campaign focus of “unity.”
For example, a recent ad featured Sheriff T.K. Waters, who endorsed Davis, and said Deegan’s “radical policies” would make Jacksonville “less safe” with background footage of Black Lives Matter protests.
Another ad displayed Black Lives Matter protests and a quote from Deegan supporting civilian review boards to “hold our police officers accountable.”
In response, Deegan released an ad to the claims against her and said the “attack ads […] aren’t facts…. dividing us is the only way they know.”
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.
