Duval GOP releases Davis campaign ads as mayoral election approaches

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – The Duval County GOP released two new campaign ads for Jacksonville Republican mayoral candidate Daniel Davis as the May 16 runoff election approaches.

“Being mayor is more than just talking to cameras and giving polite speeches. It’s about servant leadership and working every day to improve the lives of our neighbors,” Davis said in one of the new ads.

Davis is facing Democrat Donna Deegan for the mayor’s seat.

In one of the new ads, Davis described his experience and “strong desire” to serve the people of Jacksonville.

“Together, we will improve public safety and make Jacksonville more affordable,” Davis proclaims in the ad.

Throughout the campaign, he has touted his support for law enforcement as public safety is one of the candidate’s top priorities.

Davis has consistently pointed back to his track record on city council. Davis said he “led the charge” to add 100 new police officers to the streets and put them in the “highest crime areas.”

If elected as mayor, the candidate said he would partner with Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, who endorsed Davis, to add 200 new police officers to the streets over four years.

That priority was included in another recent ad.

“I love Jacksonville. It’s where I grew up and where Rebekah and I are raising our kids. But for many, our city has become unsafe and unaffordable,” he said in an ad. “I’m Daniel Davis and I have a plan to build a better Jacksonville. We’ll prioritize public safety, adding 200 new police officers to our streets. We’ll cut government waste and work to make housing more affordable.”

Deegan’s slogan throughout her campaign has been “change for good.”

The mayoral race has been heated on the airwaves as Davis attacked his opponent for her “radical policies.”

A recent ad featured Waters who 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.”

The two candidates got into a heated debate while discussing the attack ads against Deegan during the mayoral Forum.

Deegan said Davis “continues to run an ad lying,” claiming that she is “trying to take charge of the police.”