Ron DeSantis wades into Jacksonville Special Election with robocall, endorsement

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Republican Nick Howland got the last-minute boost from DeSantis.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is getting involved in Jacksonville municipal elections, offering a strong endorsement the day before the city’s Special Election.

The Governor’s last-minute boost comes in a robocall Monday supporting Republican Nick Howland, who is seeking the City Council seat vacated last year by the late Tommy Hazouri.

In the script obtained by Florida Politics, DeSantis contrasts Howland, a law-and-order Republican, with his opponent, “radical leftist” Tracye Polson.

“Hello, this is Gov. Ron DeSantis calling on behalf of the Republican Party of Florida to remind you to vote tomorrow in the Special Election for Nick Howland. Nick is a Navy veteran and businessman who — like me — is a strong supporter of the rule of law and public safety. Nick supports our brave law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. Nick’s opponent is a radical leftist who openly supports defunding the police and taking officers off the streets! The polls are open tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s important that you take the time to vote in this election — it will be a very close race, and every vote counts. Thank you!”

DeSantis’ endorsement comes after all three major Democratic gubernatorial candidates came to town for Polson.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist visited Jacksonville last week, with Sen. Annette Taddeo visiting on Saturday and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Sunday.

The high-profile campaign cameos from DeSantis and the Democrats serve as a capstone on what has become an expensive race.

Both candidates reported over $800,000 in combined fundraising through the end of January.

February numbers will be available around Mar. 10, weeks after Tuesday’s General Election.

Turnout is nearing 12%, with Democrats holding a nearly 4,000 vote edge going into Election Day.

So far, Democrats make up 47% of the turnout and Republicans 42%, with NPA voters making up the difference.

With in-person voting Tuesday, Republicans will likely close the gap.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


9 comments

  • comments

    February 21, 2022 at 10:16 am

    earth odyssey 101

  • Duval Conservative

    February 21, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    Thank you , our Great Governor DeSantis!!!!!

  • Brian In Jax

    February 21, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    Desantis actually LOST Duval County in 2018 so hopefully his endorsement inspires a surge in Democratic voter turnout tomorrow.

    Desantis is a Trump ass kisser and Nick Howland kisses both Desantis’ and Trump’s asses so by virtue of that fact alone, Howland did not get my vote.

    GO Tracye Polson!!

    • David

      February 22, 2022 at 8:08 am

      Poison is going to take your money,because that’s what lib Dems Do.She will give it to her supporters.I won’t get up off of my ass and work class…

    • Josh

      February 22, 2022 at 8:17 pm

      Lmao Nick Howland just WON by 5,000 votes.

      • Tom

        February 22, 2022 at 11:14 pm

        Yes what a victory,
        The urinating in pants has begun.
        Gov Ron, America’s Gov has coattails.
        Dums are in a real puddle! The Dums losses have no limit coming.
        DeSantis rocks!

  • Tom

    February 21, 2022 at 5:19 pm

    America’s Governor! The best, wish he had done more.

  • Frankie M.

    February 21, 2022 at 9:13 pm

    This would only be a story if Ronnie didn’t endorse Howland.

  • Tom

    February 22, 2022 at 7:51 am

    Frankie, your Manchurian nation has been defeated by me, the legend. Hope Alex is recovering from analysis, hospital.
    Peter h, so many others left behind me.
    Legends don’t lose.

Comments are closed.


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