Last night, history was made in Jacksonville as Donna Deegan emerged victorious in the mayoral election, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the city’s history. This groundbreaking achievement is a testament to the evolving political landscape of Jacksonville and the desire for big changes in city hall.
Donna Deegan, a Democrat, secured her win with an impressive margin, garnering 52% of the votes compared to her opponent Daniel Davis, who received 48%. The final vote count stood at 112,213 in favor of Deegan and 103,888 for Davis, with a total of 216,101 votes cast in the election.
Deegan’s victory is a significant moment for the city, as she brings with her a fresh perspective. Her campaign focused on key issues such as improved infrastructure, a good healthy community and a strong economic engine benefiting all the residents of Jacksonville. As a former television anchor, she connected with voters through her strong communication skills and ability to articulate her vision for the future of Jacksonville. In her thank you to her supporters after her win, she said, “Love won today.”
The win by Donna Deegan marks a departure from the city’s political history, which has seen male mayors since its inception.
Jacksonville, the largest city by area in the contiguous United States, has a rich political history dating back to its incorporation in 1832. The city has witnessed several mayors who have left their mark on its development and growth. Notable mayors include John M. Hansford, who served as the first mayor of Jacksonville, and Jake Godbold, who held office during a transformative period in the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on urban revitalization and expanding the city’s economic base.
Over the years, Jacksonville has experienced both Democratic and Republican mayoral administrations. The political landscape has shifted, with Democrats gaining prominence in recent years. Notable Democratic mayors include Ed Austin and Alvin Brown, who served as the first African American mayor of Jacksonville.
With Donna Deegan’s election as mayor, the city enters a new chapter in its political journey.
As Jacksonville’s first woman mayor, Donna Deegan brings a desire to heal the city that has found itself mired in scandals and she stated during her campaign…she wants to move Jacksonville forward so her kids will want to live and work here! She is a five-generation resident and calls Jacksonville her home. She ran as mayor so she could help fix her home and her victory signals a positive step forward in creating an emotionally healthier city for residents of all backgrounds.
With the historic win of Donna Deegan as the first woman mayor of Jacksonville, the city now looks ahead to a future under her leadership. As she assumes office, many will be watching closely to see how she fulfills her promises and tackles the pressing challenges facing the city.
We wish her well and if she does well, it will be a win for all of us last night.
Congratulations Mayor Deegan.
