The people of Jacksonville will have plenty of choices for city council in what may be a last-of-its-kind election.
“13 council candidates. 13 council candidates. We have 13 council candidates,” Council Member Dr. Trenika McCoy said.
If you didn’t hear, 13 people are running for city council seats in Jacksonville.
“That’s your legislation. That’s your finance. That’s your municipality,” she said.
While Dr. McCoy isn’t up for re-election this year, she told THV11 earlier this week that history is being made in Jacksonville as ward-based voting is heading to the ballot.
Voters will choose to fill at least one seat in each ward.
Ward 1: Lezlie Lovercheck, Cheesa Williams, Michael Dietz
Ward 2: Kevin McCleary, Brian Blevins
Ward 3: Vivian Brittenum, Reedie Ray
Ward 4: Susan Davitt, Kara Woller, Berlinda Helms
Ward 5: Joy Kinman, LaConda Watson
McCoy said this is the largest number of people running for office in the city, and she believes growing community involvement is driving that interest.
“I think the engagement is up. People are excited. We have more people in the room at our council meetings. We have more people chiming in when things are posted, so I’m just excited to see people engaging in our community,” she said.
McCoy said more than 200 people attended her town hall in July and said residents want a shakeup.
“Seeing someone show up that’s being transparent… which is what we should all want from any representation. We want to see you show up. We want to see you voice concerns. We want to see you ask the hard questions on record,” McCoy said.
A candidate forum will be held Tuesday, September 15th at 5:30 p.m.
For now, candidates represent wards where they live, but the entire city decides who takes each seat; ward-based voting is on the ballot in November.