Darnell Smith selected as Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s Chief of Staff

Jacksonville City Hall.

Mayor Donna Deegan has selected Darnell Smith to be her new Chief of Staff, filling a void left by the just-departed Pat McCollough.

The Florida Blue North Region Market President will be an “executive on loan” from the company to the city, meaning the insurance concern will cover his salary and benefits.

Smith will take over Jan. 2, 2024.

“I’m excited and grateful that Darnell is joining the Mayor’s Office to lead our talented team,” Deegan said. “He will build upon our administration’s early successes, and with decades of experience and a deep love of Jacksonville, I believe he will maximize this transformational moment in time for our city.”

“It’s an honor to answer the call to serve Mayor Deegan and people across Jacksonville,” Smith added. “I believe in her vision of an inclusive and thriving city that works for all of us — and the shared value that our community is stronger when it’s united. I’m looking forward to working with Mayor Deegan and the team to take big steps forward for our city.”

It’s unclear, meanwhile, what McCollough’s next move will be.

Mayor Deegan was elected back in May, in an election that surprised many observers who expected better-funded Daniel Davis, a Republican endorsed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, to win. McCollough was key to that victory, helming Deegan’s campaign and helping her consolidate the Democratic vote.

She could serve inside City Hall ultimately, or she could potentially work on the outside to help bolster a Deegan political operation that has gone dormant since her election.