A.G. Gancarski
Democrat Joyce Morgan was a familiar presence on top-rated The Morning Show on WJXT-TV for more than a decade. Even in that environment of absolute positivity, her radiance and warmth stood out.
The same was true on the campaign trail, as her sunniness and optimism for Arlington allowed her to stand out in a crowded field in the March District 1 election, and prevail in May’s runoff against Republican Mike Anania.
FloridaPolitics.com spoke with Morgan on Thursday afternoon, where she discussed the campaign and what she hopes to accomplish on Jacksonville City Council.
She characterized the campaign as a “battle,” one where she was “very happy to come out on top.” She said her opponent was “gracious” in defeat.
Unlike in some races, where the losing candidate seems to vaporize as soon as the election is called, Morgan expects to be working closely with the Republican over the next four years.
“Mike is president of the CPAC (Citizens Planning Advisory Committee), and so I will be in close contact with him.”
Morgan contends that every candidate in the race shared a deep concern for the district.
How did she come out ahead of the pack?
“I stayed true to myself, true to the people. I stayed grounded, working with people. That’s what came across about me.”
“People are our No. 1 resource,” she said.
I asked her whether she’d heard from Mayor-elect Lenny Curry.
“Lenny and I have been sending text messages, talking about working together and bringing Jacksonville to the next level,” Morgan said, predicting their divergent party labels won’t affect their ability to collaborate.
“Serving people is what I’ll be doing,” Morgan said.
Part of that service (perhaps the central part) is personal communication.
“I really do spend a lot of time talking to people. People who need homes and food,” Morgan said, as well as “business owners” and other community stakeholders.
“Arlington has several organizations that really work hard in the community,” she said. “Making sure that we connect these organizations is my No. 1 focus.”
She wants to build on initiatives such as RenewArlington, and engage the faith-based community to “sit up and take notice” and “move Arlington forward.” District 1 residents can expect a lot of town hall meetings and other opportunities for constructive dialogue, and creation of the “synergy to do something big.”
One of the important problems to remedy, said Morgan, who is a 16-year resident of Arlington, is public perception itself.
“People say to me, ‘Oh, you live in Arlington,’” she said. That kind of negative public perception is self-reinforcing, affecting “whether someone lives and works in Arlington.”
She aims to change that, but it’s going to take time and a fight against “blight and crime.” This fight, she said, is not going to be a solitary quest.
“I am a consensus builder. I believe in people. Empower them, and they will do great things.”
