Democrat Donna Deegan and Republican Daniel Davis are headed to a runoff election to determine Jacksonville’s next mayor.
Deegan got 39% of the vote in Tuesday’s election while Davis closed the night with 25%. The winner in May will replace Mayor Lenny Curry, who couldn’t run due to term limits.
Democrat Audrey Gibson, who got about 9% of the vote in the mayoral race, has said she will not endorse Deegan or Davis for the May runoff election.
Meanwhile, two incumbent at-large City Council members will be heading back to City Hall: Republican Ron Salem beat Democrat Joshua Hicks by about 53% to 47% while Republican Terrance Freeman beat out Libertarian Eric Parker with a commanding 65% of the vote.
A third at-large race between six candidates will go to a May runoff between the two top vote-getters: Republican Chris Miller, who took about 37% of the vote, and Democrat Charles Garrison, who carried about 26%.
In the other City Council races:
- Republican Ken Amaro won District 1 outright.
- Republicans Lindsey Brock and Mike Gay will faceoff in the May runoff for the District 2 seat.
- Republican Will Lahnen was elected to the District 3 seat.
- Republican Joe Carlucci will join his father, Matt Carlucci, on the council after winning in District 5.
- Incumbent Republican Michael Boylan was reelected to his District 6 seat.
- District 7 candidates Republican Joseph Hogan and Democrat Jimmy Peluso will face off again in May.
- District 8 incumbent Democrat Reggie Gaffney Jr. will be up against Tameka Gaines Holly again come May.
- After coming up just shy of winning outright, Republican Mike Muldoon will face the current District 9 council member, Democrat Tyrona Clark-Murray, in the runoff.
- Council member Ju’Coby Pittman was reelected to her District 10 seat.
- Republican Raul Arias will go up against Democrat Ramon Day again in the District 11 race come May.
- District 12 Councilman Randy White kept his seat.
- And Democrat Rahman Johnson will face off against Republican John Draper, a former council member, in the May runoff.
Other stories making headlines this week:
- The special City Council committee looking into council member LeAnna Cumber’s involvement in the failed attempt to sell JEA is referring its findings to the Ethics Commission for further investigation.
- As the governor’s office cracks down on drag show performances, a Senate panel has approved a bill sponsored by Jacksonville lawmaker Clay Yarborough that could revoke the licenses of businesses that admit children to “adult live” performances. Opponents of the bill say drag shows are the main target of the proposal.
- The Florida Senate has given final approval to bills that would significantly expand school vouchers and help protect businesses and insurance companies from lawsuits. The bills will now go to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who’s expected to sign them.
Iconic music photographer Mark ‘Weissguy’ Weiss comes to Jacksonville
The iconic music photographer Mark Weiss, affectionately known as “Weissguy,” will be in Jacksonville this weekend to meet fans and talk about some of his classic photos.
Weiss has also published several books, including his bestseller “The Decade That Rocks.”
Weiss will be at Gallery 725 from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and again from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
