Florida state Rep. Wyman Duggan announces he’s running for Jacksonville mayor

Duggan made the announcement outside of the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office Friday, saying he’ll bring “real, conservative leadership” to the city.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida state Rep. Wyman Duggan announced his candidacy for mayor of Jacksonville outside of the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office Friday.

In the announcement, Duggan said he’d do the job as mayor the same as how he said he’s worked in the state legislature, “less talking, more problem-solving.”

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Duggan said people in Jacksonville are growing frustrated with basic city services.

“I hear the same thing – [people] love Jacksonville, they believe in Jacksonville, but too often, they don’t believe city hall is working for them,” Duggan said.

He also cited ongoing, public issues with both JTA and JEA over the past year as disfunctions that occurred under Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration, and he promised to “hold people accountable” in these city agencies. Specifically with JTA, Duggan referenced the suspension of the Skyway service and the NAVI autonomous bus service as wasteful spending.

“Jacksonville did not need an expensive urban science problem while Jacksonville had to go to work,” Duggan said.

Duggan pledged to work to drive down utility rates and millage rates across the city, and he also promised to protect pensions for first responders.

He also criticized the Deegan administration’s focus on Downtown Jacksonville development, saying the city needed to invest its energy and money “where people live, work, and go to school.”

Duggan’s state house district, District 12, encompasses San Marco, Mandarin, parts of the Southside, and parts of the Westside. He was first elected to the state house in 2018 in District 15, and first elected in District 12 in 2022.

The announcement drew criticism from the Duval County Democratic Party, who released a statement Friday morning saying Duggan “answers to Tallahassee, not Jacksonville,” and adding his voting record is that of taking away local input for zoning and land use decisions and advancing policies that “could significantly reduce funding for essential local services.”

“Jacksonville deserves a leader who stands up for our community every day, not someone whose record consistently favors Tallahassee over local families,” said Millie Leeds, Chair of the Duval County Democratic Party. 

A spokesperson for Mayor Deegan’s reelection campaign gave the following statement responding to Duggan’s announcement:

“Mayor Donna Deegan has spent her time in office listening to residents and getting things done. From historic investments in first responders and infrastructure to strengthening our economy, she has delivered on priorities that matter to our community.

Today, Jacksonville is gaining national recognition for investment, business growth, and opportunity. Mayor Deegan wants to build on that momentum while keeping Jacksonville affordable, strengthening neighborhoods, and expanding opportunities for families and businesses.

There is more work to do and Mayor Deegan is ready to keep delivering results and ensure Jacksonville’s growth and success reach every neighborhood and every family.”