Both winners said they wanted unity and collaboration through the next year.
The Jacksonville City Council is elevating Vice President Nick Howland to President in July, and has selected Joe Carlucci as the next Vice President after a spirited campaign for the job that generally is a springboard to the top.
Howland, a Navy veteran who represents at-large Group 3, was first elected in a 2022 Special Election. He’s running again in 2027 and has more than $320,000 banked for his re-election bid.
Rahman Johnson, a Democrat who had thrown his own hat into the VP ring, crossed party lines and lauded Howland for knowing how to lead in a way that unifies.
“The goal is not for the party to win. The goal is for Jacksonville to rise,” Johnson said.
During his year leading the Council, Howland vowed to focus on public safety, infrastructure, making Jacksonville attractive to businesses without using taxpayer dollars, and giving Citizen Planning Advisory Committees a “seat at the table” to give neighborhoods more of a voice.
Howland also wanted the Council to work “as a team,” even though it’s an election year.
Howland’s nomination was uncontested. The VP slot was not, however, with four candidates and two rounds of voting preceding the selection of Republican Carlucci in a 10-9 decision over Chris Miller.
Johnson and Republican Ken Amaro were eliminated in the first round.
Carlucci said it was “time to build consensus” and “bring this team back together” in his brief victory remarks.