Those voting in Duval County’s August Primary will also be casting a ballot in a Jacksonville City Council race, as term-limited Terrance Freeman announced plans to step down amid a House bid.

The city typically holds its municipal elections in odd years for most offices, but a Special Election was called to replace outgoing Freeman.

Freeman, who was appointed to the Jacksonville City Council in 2018 then elected in 2019 and 2023, said his resignation is effective either in Nov. 2 or in August, depending on when a replacement is elected.

He is running to replace term-limited Republican Rep. Wyman Duggan in House District 12.

The August election, which is countywide since Freeman is one of five at-large members of the Council, will be open to all voters including those not registered as Republicans or Democrats, since Jacksonville’s local Primaries are nonpartisan. If one candidate gets a majority, the election is decided. Otherwise, the top two face off during the November General Election.

At least three candidates have qualified for the election, with another having newly filed. Given the nearly even split between Democrats and Republicans in registration in Duval County, that would seem to suggest a runoff is likely.

Republican Deborah Wesley, a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Commander, is the choice of 10 current members of the City Council. She has raised nearly $80,000 as of the end of March. She was running for the seat during the 2027 cycle but redesignated to the Special Election when it was called.

Democrat Moné Holder has redesignated from the 2027 race for City Council District 12 to run in the Special Election. She is still classified on the elections page as “active” as of Friday morning. Holder is the chief advocacy and political officer at Florida Rising. She is also a member of the city’s Planning Commission, having been appointed by Mayor Donna Deegan.

Democratic attorney Isaac East has withdrawn, meanwhile.

Libertarian Addison Jade Patrick was a candidate for this seat in the 2027 General Election who redesignated for the Special. She has raised nearly $500. Libertarian candidates have sometimes performed better than party registration numbers would suggest. Eric Parker ran as one in 2023 against Freeman and he got 35% of the vote with no Democrat running.

Qualification runs through noon June 12.

Freeman is well-positioned for his Primary. He has raised nearly $445,000 combined between his campaign account and his political committee, For the Future We Want. 

In Q1 of this year, he brought in more than $43,000 through his campaign account and an additional $38,500 through his PC.

Benjamin Sandlin is running against him. He also ran in HD 12 in 2024.