Democrat wins Jacksonville mayoral race despite Republican endorsement from Ron DeSantis.

Democrat Donna Deegan Defeats Republican Backed by Florida Governor in Jacksonville Mayoral Race

In a stunning upset, Democrat Donna Deegan has become the first female mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, defeating Republican candidate Daniel Davis in a May 16 runoff. Deegan secured 52.08 percent of the vote, while Davis pulled in 47.92 percent, according to the Duval County Supervisor of Elections website. The race was the most expensive in the city’s history, with the candidates amassing nearly $11 million between them.

Underdog Deegan Beats Well-Funded Davis

Deegan, a retired journalist and breast cancer awareness advocate, was considered the underdog in the race against Davis, a well-funded former Florida state representative. Davis raised and spent more money than Deegan by a margin of roughly 4 to 1, but Deegan’s grassroots campaign and strong support from the community propelled her to victory.

Historic Win for Jacksonville Democrats

The Duval County Democratic Party celebrated Deegan’s victory on social media, hailing her as the first female mayor of Jacksonville. Deegan’s win marks a historic moment for Democrats in the city, which was previously led by a Republican mayor. Voter turnout for the contest, which included races for property appraiser and seven city council seats, was 33.05 percent.

Polls Showed Deegan Leading Since February

Deegan’s victory may have come as a surprise to some, but she was leading in the polls since February. A survey by St. Pete Polls had Deegan with 35.2 percent support among Jacksonville’s registered voters, while Davis was her closest distant rival with 17.5 percent support. A poll released by the University of Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (UNF/PORL) showed Deegan with a comfortable 18-point lead over the crowded field of mayoral hopefuls.

DeSantis Endorsed Davis, But Did Not Campaign for Him

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis endorsed Davis with a post on Twitter on March 31, but he never appeared at any campaign events or made efforts to actively encourage voters to cast their ballots for Davis. An April 17 UNF/PORL survey showed Deegan’s lead over Davis had slipped to “just one percentage point,” but it was not enough to sway the election in Davis’s favor.

Final Thoughts

Deegan’s victory is a testament to the power of grassroots campaigning and community support. Despite being outspent by her opponent, Deegan’s message resonated with voters and propelled her to victory. Her historic win marks a new chapter for Democrats in Jacksonville and sets the stage for future elections in the city.