Tracye Polson takes off gloves in new HD 15 ad

Duggan Polson ad

“What side is lobbyist Wyman Duggan on?”

That’s the question posed by the first television ad from Republican Duggan’s opponent in the House District 15 general election, Democrat Tracye Polson.

The 30-second spot contends that “Duggan worked to sell JEA, raising rates, costing the city millions every year” and “wants politicians to appoint our school board.”

The ad’s reference to Duggan working to sell JEA (lobbying for Emera, a Nova Scotia utility company that also owns TECO in Tampa) was rehearsed by a Republican opponent during the primary campaign last month. However, this is the first time the claim has been televised.

Polson, meanwhile, draws a contrast to that world of influence with her upbeat narration, noting she stands “with students, who deserve great public schools; with an elected school board, with law enforcement … and as a cancer survivor and health professional, with patients.”

“My opponent can stand with the other lobbyists. I’ll always stand with Florida’s families,” Polson says in close.

The Polson ad, on television in her Westside Jacksonville district, can be seen here.

In the race to succeed Jay Fant in HD 15, Polson had (as of Aug. 31) a cash advantage: $187.000 on hand, to just $7,000.

Expect the cavalry to come to Duggan’s rescue soon enough, as Republicans are increasingly cognizant that this seat — safe through 2016 — is now in play.

Fant faced no Democratic challenge in 2016, remarkable given that Democrats actually outnumber Republicans in the district.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has written for FloridaPolitics.com since 2014. He is based in Northeast Florida. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


4 comments

  • Charles

    September 18, 2018 at 2:08 pm

    I’m still waiting for any information about the financial backers of Dr. Polson. Which special interest or lobby is sponsoring her?

    • DJ

      September 18, 2018 at 10:49 pm

      The identity of campaign donors is public information. Dr. Polson has a broad base of donors, many of whom gave small dollar amounts (myself included). Her opponent is taking fewer, larger donations from industry groups and pharmaceutical lobbyists like PhRMA.
      https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/campaign-finance/contributions/

  • Westside Republican

    September 19, 2018 at 8:22 am

    I fear that we Republicans chose the one candidate who is unelectable.

    • Ciera Smith

      September 25, 2018 at 9:24 am

      You shouldn’t fear! Dr. Polson is supported by our local police and firefighters and many folks on the other side of the aisle. We don’t have to play Team Red and Team Blue all the time. Tracye Polson just IS someone who is better for the everyday constituent of HD15, regardless of party affiliation. When it comes to public service we need to support LEADERS who listen to their PEOPLE, not opportunists who listen to their paychecks…

Comments are closed.


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