Reports of the demise of the Democratic Party in Florida may be premature.
On Tuesday, Democrat Donna Deegan defeated Republican Daniel Davis in the mayoral election of Jacksonville.
According to The Florida Times-Union, Deegan won a highly contested and expensive city election.
In the runoff phase of the election, the local television anchor declared victory with more than 52 percent of the vote.
The crowd at the Donna Deegan election night gathering as Deegan holds a 52-47% lead with 168 precincts reporting. pic.twitter.com/W969XAck6b
— Hanna Holthaus (@HannaHolthaus) May 16, 2023
According to the Times-Union, Deegan cited crossover ballots from Republicans and independents as crucial to her victory.
“When we were out the last several weeks, I mean, I can’t tell you how many people from across the political spectrum reached out to me and said, ‘We want you to know, I’ve never voted for a Democrat before. I’m going to vote for you,’” she said.
Love won tonight, and we made history. We have a new day in Jacksonville because people chose unity over division—creating a broad coalition of people across the political spectrum that want a unified city. Together, we will bring change for good to Jacksonville by making good on… pic.twitter.com/ZmV5pmV4gd
— Donna Deegan (@DonnaDeegan) May 17, 2023
Davis, a city Chamber of Commerce executive, conceded on election night.
Daniel Davis says this wasn’t the result he thought it would be 24 hours ago. Says he called Deegan to congratulate her and he knows she lives the city of Jacksonville pic.twitter.com/a93t8LwamL
— David Bauerlein (@DavidBauerlein) May 17, 2023
NBC News reports that Jacksonville is the nation’s largest city with a Republican mayor in terms of population.
According to the Times-Union, Deegan won a close election in which more registered Republicans than Democrats cast ballots. Deegan will assume office on July 1.
Down hill here we go. People moving from democrat screwed up states to come and do the same to ours. Come to Florida, leave your politics behind.
— John Burgess (@johnburgess62) May 17, 2023
The Democratic takeover of the mayorship followed a November midterm election in Florida in which the party was decisively defeated.
The re-election of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis was won by nearly 20 points.
After that, he referred to the Florida Democratic Party as a “dead, rotten carcass.”
Former President Donald Trump responded to the loss of the Republican Party on Tuesday by ridiculing DeSantis, who supported the losing candidate.
“Wow! In a big upset, the DeSanctimonious backed Republican candidate for Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, LOST,” Trump said on Truth Social. “This is a shocker.”
Supporters of DeSantis, who is expected to challenge Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, countered that Susan Wiles, a prominent figure in Jacksonville politics and senior Trump adviser, had dragged down Davis.
More on this story via The Western Journal:
Others blamed the defeat on discord between supporters of the two GOP leaders. CONTINUE READING…
