Preachers pick Donna Deegan in Jax mayoral race
Donna Deegan.

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Prominent pastors back leading Democrat in recent poll.

Three of Jacksonville’s best known African American pastors are backing Democrat Donna Deegan for Mayor.

The triple endorsement is the latest sign of coalescence behind Deegan, who was the frontrunner in a St. Pete Polls survey of the race this week.

“I’m honored to be endorsed by these three men of faith who are guided by love for our neighbors and community,” said Deegan. “I look forward to their guidance and partnership as we face the challenges ahead.”

“It has been my pleasure to have known Donna Deegan for more than three decades and I have come to know her as a person of great compassion, intellect and love for Jacksonville. She has shown repeatedly in her personal journey that all things are possible when you believe. She believes that Jacksonville is on the cusp of greatness and is dedicated to seeing that every citizen benefits from Jacksonville’s prosperity,” said Pastor John Allen Newman.

“She believes in a Jacksonville where no one, from our children to our senior citizens, is left behind. Where safety must exist in all neighborhoods, and not just for the privileged few. Donna also believes our politics should reflect the character of the one who seeks to lead it, and not relegate the electoral process to the ends justifying the means. And she will bring that strength of character to the office she seeks. This is the city we all want. This is the city we all need. And we need her to lead it. Therefore, I am giving Donna Deegan my unwavering and enthusiastic support as she seeks to become our next mayor.”

“As a resident of Jacksonville for over 30 years, I endorse Donna Deegan as the next Mayor of Jacksonville. She is not afraid to be out in the community meeting with people where they live, listening to their concerns, and having the hard conversations,” added Elder Lee Harris. “That is the kind of mayor this city needs. She has a ‘can do-will do’ attitude and will show up when called upon. We need unity, not division.”

“I readily and without any hesitation or reservation endorse Donna Deegan to become the next Mayor of Jacksonville. We need leadership, civility, compassion and someone who cares for all of humanity,” said Pastor R. L. Gundy.

With less than five weeks before the March 21 First Election, these endorsements offer an indication that Deegan continues to consolidate Democratic support, despite the fact that former Sen. Audrey Gibson is also running. EMILY’s List, an organization backing Democratic women who support access to legalized abortion, also endorsed Deegan Thursday.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. He writes for the New York Post and National Review also, with previous work in the American Conservative and Washington Times and a 15+ year run as a columnist in Folio Weekly. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


8 comments

  • Low Morals Donna

    February 16, 2023 at 4:34 pm

    Preachers and others think Donna has such high morals, why doesn’t anyone mention how she cheated on husband Dan Hicken, with Tim Deegan???? Is that not adultery?

  • LeAnna for Liberty

    February 16, 2023 at 4:36 pm

    She also supported Meth Gillum

    • MH/Duuuval

      February 17, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Short answer: You have George Santos and Anna Luna in your corner.

      Long answer: Gillum served two terms as Tallahassee mayor, a town swarming with lobbyists and money. He was the target — along with others — of an investigation. Gillum ultimately was betrayed by a “friend” who “cooperated” with the FBI in an entrapment. I don’t know about you, but law enforcement entrapment always raises some hackles.

      I won’t address Gillum’s personal failings since they are so widespread in the US today among the political class, Mattt Gaetz is one example who comes to mind.

  • Margaret Koscielny

    February 16, 2023 at 4:54 pm

    Why are posters allowed to slander people who are running for office?
    The first poster doesn’t produce any evidence, and, ignores the fact that her former husband was caught in a sex scandal way before her divorce from him.

    In addition, voters almost elected Guillam to Governor, so the slur against him, for his alcohol problem and the conflict that many successful Black men have as they compete in a world skwed to deny them power, is just plain creul and mean-spirited. Guillam is intelligent and a man who would not have threatened Florida with an autocratic government as we now have under DeSantis.

  • Mac Wiseman

    February 16, 2023 at 8:07 pm

    Well she is a hot milf. So theres that.

    • A.E.R.

      February 17, 2023 at 2:44 am

      So you have nothing of value to add to the conversation. Thanks for weighing in, misogynist.

  • MH/Duuuval

    February 17, 2023 at 8:48 am

    I cast my ballot already for Deegan, but had Gibson been the only candidate I would gladly have cast my ballot for her. Gibson has been a staunch friend of Duval in Tallahassee for years under trying circumstances as a partisan minority. I tried to vote strategically. It would have been nice if these two fine candidates had worked out an agreement to focus on just one of them running for the office. Meanwhile, other local offices go unchallenged, especially at the Beaches, where Trumpican time-servers have thrived.

  • marc kort

    February 20, 2023 at 10:27 am

    typical fraud preachers. the woman blatantly cheated on her husband, she has zero morals. she supported meth addicted criminal gillium. she is desperate to get on the government payroll, first she ran for congress and now she wants to be mayor.
    just say no to this morally bankrupt wannabe political whore

Comments are closed.


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