HD 13 challenger Brenda Priestly Jackson raises questions about write-in’s qualifying paperwork

Brenda Priestly Jackson
Priestly-Jackson's ECO complained to Secretary of State Cord Byrd about the candidate's bank of record.

A Democrat running in House District 13 says a write-in candidate’s qualifying paperwork is faulty and that he shouldn’t be on the ballot.

The ECO of Brenda Priestly Jackson, challenger to Rep. Angie Nixon, contends in a letter to Secretary of State Cord Byrd that write-in Terrance Jordan “submitted the form DS-DE 9 (Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates) with a campaign depository designated as a California bank.”

Priestly Jackson pushed this information to multiple reporters in recent days, giving it to a TV reporter before reaching out to FP Monday.

The ECO, Priestly Jackson For Neighbors, intends to file a legal challenge, possibly including a writ of mandamus, asserting that Jordan is unqualified for the ballot.

If he is removed from the ballot, the Primary would be open, which is something Priestly-Jackson wants.

She believes Nixon was trying to close the Primary and that Jordan’s candidacy materialized during qualifying week to this end, disenfranchising 51,000 independent and Republican voters in the predominantly Democratic district in the process.

For her part, Nixon is questioning her opponent’s credibility.

“My opponent is just trying to earn free media attention by filing a frivolous complaint. All qualified candidates are entitled to run. That is what democracy is all about,” she said Monday.

Nixon denied any involvement in Jordan’s candidacy.

“I don’t have any need to ‘plant’ a candidate, whatever that means. There are many allegations and concerns that my opponent is a Republican plant. She’s even accepted money from Republican City Councilman Rory Diamond’s PAC. Someone who has continually attacked democrats and members of marginalized communities,” Nixon said.

“I on the other hand have garnered the support of Democratic City Council members Tyrona Clark-Murray, Jimmy Peluso and Rahman Johnson. My opponent should instead be focusing on how she’s going to ‘spin’ her failure as a longer serving elected official that has produced very little except failing schools, broken promises and constant fights against liquor stores coming to the area (that she said very little about) during her terms in office.”

Jordan, who dodged our attempts to get meaningful comment when he qualified last week, didn’t answer his phone Monday and has a full mailbox.

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


3 comments

  • Malik Shabazz Jackson

    June 18, 2024 at 8:44 am

    Angie Do-Nothin’ Nixon is afraid to let all of HD 13 vote because it is well known how she is the most ineffective lawmaker and the ONLY representative in Florida that passed ZERO bills and brought home ZERO $$$ to constituents in the 2024 legislative session.

    I’m talking 119/120 Florida representatives brought back SOMETHING….or more than 99% had laws passed or money coming to their districts. But… not Angie Nixon. Angie is the worst legislator Jacksonville ever had.

    It absolutely makes sense for Angie Do-Nothin Nixon – a legislator that has delivered NOTHING to her constituents (bills, appropriations) – to want to disenfranchise almost half (47%) of the electorate – since politicians are held accountable at the ballot box.

    How unDemocratic

    • MH/Duuuval

      June 19, 2024 at 5:38 pm

      That’s how the game is played in Fla., a game Rep. Nixon did not invent. She is an outspoken radical and has taken unpopular stands in the Legislature, which is why her office is in the basement. No reason for MAGAS and others to vote here since the issue is Nixon who is a stand-up lady who won’t ever bring home the bacon. Your preference for the latter, MSJ, is obvious, but some would suggest you come as a supplicant — not a citizen.

      • MALIK SHABAZZ JACKSON

        June 20, 2024 at 11:39 am

        I think we both agree that Angie is ineffective. But, Angie Nixon is clearly not stand-up, as evidenced by her disrespecting the Legislature by plopping herself on the floor and interrupting the business of legislating – her job. By the time Angie resorts to sitting and singing songs on the House floor she already missed her opportunity to be an Effective Legislator. Angie’s record is protest, posturing, and antagonization of Florida’s leadership (Dem and GOP) for her own clout and desire to distract from her ineffectiveness. It’s clear that Angie is unfit for office.

        I don’t care where Angie’s office is – Angie has had FOUR years to be effective and the only accomplishments she can claim are increasing her social media followers and publicizing her private business as a grift in coordination with her status as a legislator.

        I am absolutely a supplicant. I specifically asked for an advisory opinion from the State because laws matter and the Florida campaign depository rules exist for very important public policy reasons. It’s a problem if you’re purportedly running for office in Florida and designating a California Bank. [wth?]

        I fundamentally disagree with boxing out any non-Democratic voters in this HD13 primary (BECAUSE TERRANCE JORDAN DID NOT FOLLOW MANDATORY CAMPAIGN DEPOSITORY RULES BY THE QUALIFYING DEADLINE).

        Like Angie’s 2020 election, her plan is to have Terrance Jordan (the write-in) withdraw after the primary election terminates – eliminating any voting opportunity for non-Democratic voters in HD13.

        Angie is supposed to represent the entirety of HD13 and she isn’t so she absolutely would like to reduce her accountability to HD13 voters.

        Surely I can wear multiple hats — as a supplicant, citizen, and HD13 voter.

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Jesse Scheckner, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704