Writer: Joshua Andino
2 min read August 2022 — While Floridians will be considering their potential picks for everything from their governor and senators to local representatives and commissioners, Jacksonville’s big question is who will be the next mayor of the country’s largest city.
According to a University of North Florida poll conducted between Aug 8 through Aug 12 amongst a random sample of 491 likely primary voters, Democrat, television anchor and philanthropist Donna Deegan was an early favorite garnering 32% support. Republican and CEO of the JAX Chamber Daniel Davis came in second at 11%, and Democrat Audrey Gibson came third with 10%.
While the primaries have come and gone, the Mayoral race in Jacksonville will be decided in March 2023, meaning candidates are gauging where the political winds are blowing and when may be the best time to announce – with some having done so already, and others allowing the anticipation to build. Deegan announced her candidacy for the position in Nov. 2021, with Gibson announcing hers earlier this year in June. Currently, there are seven candidates for mayor between Republicans, Democrats, and independent candidates, however that number is expected to change as the race draws closer.
Daniel Davis will remain the name to watch, with Florida Politics reporting the JAX Chamber President is eyeing a potential campaign announcement after the release of a JAXChamber newsletter adorned in red, white and blue telling members to “Save the Date,” for Sept. 8, with a slogan reading “Jacksonville Grown. Ready to Lead.” Should Davis enter the race, he would immediately become a frontrunner thanks to a $4.7 million war chest in his Building a Better Economy PAC, a commanding lead over the nearest runner-up, Republican Councilwoman LeAnna Gutierrez Cumber, at $2.6 million. According to the UNF poll, Davis secured 25% of Republican support while Cumber and fellow Republican Councilman Al Ferraro polled at 8% and 7%, respectively.
Should the race become a faceoff between Deegan and Davis, it seems likely that Jacksonville’s economic growth will take center stage. The Mayoral election will be decided in 2023 and by its very nature will center on Jacksonville and Duval County, which has seen strong economic growth over the last few years and continues to develop at a breakneck pace.
Despite Davis’ potential strength on a hypothetical campaign trail, Jacksonville’s mayoral race will be competitive, as Democrats hold the lead over Republicans amongst registered voters, 40.7% to 35.15%, with independents at 22.89%. In an off-cycle election year, turnout will be key for any candidate looking to settle into the mayor’s office in City Hall on Duval Street.
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