A.G. Gancarski
As the contentious Democratic Primary election in Jacksonville’s House District 13 nears, challenger Brenda Priestly Jackson is sharpening her attacks on incumbent Rep. Angie Nixon.
The lawyer, former City Council member, and School Board member made the case that Nixon is ineffective in office and that she doesn’t do what a legislator must do in terms of working across the aisle, prioritizing rhetorical battles over tangible results.
For example, Priestly Jackson takes issue with Nixon’s “incendiary” criticisms of Gov. Ron DeSantis. She says they come at the expense of actual needs in the district.
“Let’s be clear, our Governor has line-item veto authority. Before I was an attorney, I was an English teacher. I call that ultimate editing authority so he can write a line right out,” she said on WJCT’s “First Coast Connect.”
Priestly Jackson also discussed her GOP fundraising support, which includes donations from City Council member Matt Carlucci, Ballard Partners’ Jordan Elsbury, the Friends of Rory Diamond political committee, and former GOP Council member Randle Poitevent Defoor.
“I’ve always received money from Republicans and Democrats. So this is no different. So if you look at those who have traditionally given to me, there are many of the same folks who can give to me this time because I have a proven track record of success, right?”
Priestly Jackson also made the case that Nixon was too concerned with culture wars to bring resources back to the district.
“There are 120 members of the Florida Legislature. The current occupant of this seat is the only member of the Legislature who receives zero appropriations,” the challenger said, saying she could work with other legislators to deal with “needs like infrastructure … addressing flooding … (and) environmental concerns and issues.”
“If we just engage in culture wars, then we neglect the business of legislating,” she said.
Additionally, Priestly Jackson touched on the closed Primary, suggesting again that Nixon wanted Terrance Jordan to file and keep Republicans and independents from voting in the Democrat-only contest. Nixon has denied this, and the write in hasn’t responded to questions about the allegation,
“I have a strong belief and conviction that the current occupant of the office put the write-in candidate in the race,” Priestly Jackson said, citing “chatter on Twitter about things that they had planned and their knowledge of them.”
Nixon responded to the interview Thursday morning, dismissing Priestly Jackson’s claims.
“The facts remain. I have gotten money back to the district and I have gotten legislation passed. An effective legislator as myself knows how to make friends on both sides of the aisle and get your colleagues to run bills and appropriations to enhance the quality of life for your community,” Nixon said.
She added that Priestly Jackson is “backed by extreme Republicans who have done nothing but inflict harm on our communities,” while Nixon is “backed by working class people and organizations that work alongside marginalized communities.”
“BPJ is lazy, inaccessible and condescending towards residents, has failed our school district, (has failed) City Council District 10 and will only fail District 13 residents which is why those in power are backing her. To keep the status quo,” Nixon added.
Nixon appears better positioned for the stretch run in the western Duval County district, with roughly $35,000 on hand between her campaign account and her Helping Florida Families Flourish political committee.
Priestly Jackson has roughly $5,000 to spend between her campaign account and her ECO, Priestly Jackson for Neighbors.
4 comments
It's Complicated
July 31, 2024 at 12:14 pm
Democratic Party leaders in Florida, like Nixon, face a conundrum. Tilt at windmills, name call, launch incendiary words across a lectern at a press conference – TO NO POSITIVE EFFECT (i.e., be ineffective), OR, work across the aisle – acknowledging the super-majority party’s position to achieve incremental gains for constituents. Politics are highly polarized in Florida, and combative habits are difficult to change. The challenge is elevated when SOME Democratic constituents view confrontational and combative behavior as baseline behavior for the minority party, as opposed to advancing ideas that may achieve bipartisan agreement. Consider this – if the minority party position is viewed as 100%, and they can get bipartisan consensus on 20% of that position, would it not be wise to file the bill that includes only the 20% and take that as a win? If it’s 100% or nothing, then it’s nothing in this environment (most of these 100% bills have 0% chance of being heard in committee). If reaching consensus to achieve part of your goal as an unacceptable compromise, the minority party is locked into rarely enjoying any gains, or, even more likely – not getting credit for the gains when a freshman Republican files the bill containing the 20% consensus position and easily passes it.
Phil Morton
July 31, 2024 at 12:20 pm
We do not want someone who will kiss Ron DeSantis’ butt. Nixon is a fighter and that’s what we need in this political environment.
Frankie M.
July 31, 2024 at 2:01 pm
BPJ is a DINOsaur who should hang it up. She’s basically Kimberly Daniels without the crazy religious bent. Just look at her donors. How is she gonna stand up for public schools when she’s taking money hand over fist from charter school operators? She wants to represent the whole district especially those with 💰.
Just saying
July 31, 2024 at 4:49 pm
If BJP’s taking money hand over fist then she has really tiny hands. She has no money. Wanting to represent the whole district is not a bad thing. BJP is a pragmatist who is very much a product of Duval with the legacy blue dog democrats, rino republicans, and now much more space between right and left. She kind of represents the old guard. How effective she would be who knows. She’s been around a long time and what is her strength –being a pragmatist–is also her weakness–the optics that she went along and did not fight. She is condescending, angry, and inaccessible lol, I will agree with that. But what would she work to deliver. I have been a strong Nixon supporter but have also grown frustrated with the conflict and drama instead of buckling down and doing something. I know it’s complicated. But being a purist just doesn’t work for this area, and she was in fact elected to represent everyone. So it seems like she chooses party politics and optics over results. I hope that she will listen and that will change. I like her fighting spirit but it needs to be put to good use. She would make a good party boss, but maybe not as a legislator. This will be one to watch.
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