Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan filed for re-election April 16, and a potential Republican challenger said he was considering a run.<\/p>\n
Within hours of each other, Deegan issued a news release and video announcing her filing, while state House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, told reporters he was \u201cthinking about and praying about\u201d seeking the office.<\/p>\n
Duggan made his comment while announcing $3 million in funding from the state Department of Children and Families for Northwest Jacksonville, including $2 million for the Beaver Street Enterprise Center.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Responding to a question from a reporter about whether he was considering a challenge to Deegan, Duggan said, \u201ctoday is not about that\u201d but added his comment about thinking and praying about a run.<\/p>\n
The event involving Duggan was at Kings Road Memorial Park, where other leaders in attendance included Jacksonville City Council member Ju\u2019Coby Pittman and Sheriff T.K. Waters.<\/p>\n
Deegan defeated Republican Daniel Davis in 2023, becoming Jacksonville\u2019s first woman mayor and the second Democrat elected to the office since 1993.<\/p>\n
In the release, her campaign said Deegan made \u201ctangible progress on neighborhoods, public safety, affordability, and a surge in economic development that is transforming downtown Jacksonville.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duggan served four two-year terms in the Legislature after winning election in 2018.<\/p>\n
Other Republicans who have been mentioned in the media and in political circles as possible candidates for mayor include Council members Rory Diamond and Ron Salem.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland, who had stated he was considering a mayoral campaign, filed April 10 for re-election to the elections position.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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