A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville’s Democratic Mayor bet on Vice President Kamala Harris to win last week’s election, but it went the other way.
And now Donna Deegan faces GOP control in Washington, just as is the case in Tallahassee, leading to strategic recalibrations.
During an appearance on WJCT’s “First Coast Connect,” the Mayor described herself as a “Democrat with the mind of an independent.” She stressed that Jacksonville is a “purple city,” and that she has worked well with U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, U.S. Reps. Aaron Bean and John Rutherford, and other Republicans to achieve positive outcomes for Jacksonville.
“This is a deeply divided electorate in Jacksonville,” Deegan said.
“I don’t think anybody ever got to 50% in this election. So I think that the perspective that I take is one that is very pragmatic. We all have to work together. Unity is the only way forward, and while we most certainly must speak our truth, at the end of the day, we have to work together to move the city forward. And I don’t see how my job in that regard changes at all.”
The Mayor acknowledged “sharp differences on kitchen table issues,” saying that public polling was “very much aligned with what vice President Harris was trying to move forward,” but suggested Jacksonville’s connections with the White House would carry the day.
“I wouldn’t think that somebody like (incoming Chief of Staff) Susie Wiles would want Jacksonville to suffer. This is an important area to her,” Deegan said. “But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t think that our representatives wouldn’t want to bring money home to Jacksonville.”
The Mayor “sent (Wiles) a message of congratulation” when she was selected, describing her as “an incredibly talented political operative.”
Deegan made news last month during a trip to London when she said Trump sought “concentration camp-like situations” to deal with immigrants in the country illegally. Clearly, she is looking for a reset in the wake of Tuesday’s election results.
But she acknowledges her party has hurt feelings from the election, including the causes of Harris’ defeat.
While Deegan seeks to “increase the number of channels by which we are talking to people about kitchen table issues,” she is not “saying that misogyny or or racism didn’t play any role in the election.”
“I’m not saying that because I know somebody’s going to say that to me. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that anyone who wants to isolate this to one thing is missing the mark, I think,” Deegan added.
15 comments
Billy Rotberg
November 12, 2024 at 9:59 am
I tried to warn you Democrats about how out of touch you are with reality but you didn’t listen. The choice is clear, the people have spoken. Your open borders, high inflation high taxes, draconian gun control, identity politics agendas were rejected. You can either learn from this or keep losing.
PAY UP
November 12, 2024 at 10:12 am
BILLY BOY, florida rednecks and low info fools have spoken. us high info civilized people got screwed. well now i am going to watch the upcoming maga trainwreck. it’s going to be a huge wreck for sure. us high info people know who is going to be responsible for the mess. you dealt it, you smell it.
Billy Rotberg
November 12, 2024 at 10:20 am
It is clear, your comments prove you’re a regressive knuckle dragging primitive rage driven miserable fool.
Reaping What You Sowed
November 12, 2024 at 11:07 am
The House will not be settled on Jan 3,with the need for special elections in Florida and New York
Billy Rotberg
November 12, 2024 at 11:26 am
The Hill just reported Republicans won the house.
PAY UP
November 12, 2024 at 6:38 pm
whatever dude
Florida is Red
November 12, 2024 at 11:47 am
Well well look who is back. Calling me a dumb azz time after time as I was posting facts that eventually lead to the rout that happened last week. Hey Rick, do you like apples? Well then how bout them apples? 😜
PAY UP
November 12, 2024 at 6:35 pm
MAGA CULTIST, my team lost, but i still win because i don’t live in florida. you’re still dumb and low info and i’m not. i have mine and the economy can go to hell and i will still have plenty. so it’s my kids and grandkids that got screwed by cultist like you. you are still a racist woman hater that believes every lie out there, so it don’t really matter what happens to you. pay up
Florida is Red
November 12, 2024 at 11:50 am
Pick yourself up off the ground. You and the Democrats got run over. Oh and look at what color the map of the United States is hillbilly. It’s RED!!!!!!!!
Billy Rotberg
November 12, 2024 at 5:35 pm
Rick will always be a walking minus sign.
PAY UP
November 12, 2024 at 6:37 pm
BILLY BOY, and you will always be a punk’s punk. pay up
A Day without MAGA
November 12, 2024 at 10:59 am
The house is not settled,the Republican will.lose a seat in New York and Florida Google US House Results
Billy Rotberg
November 12, 2024 at 5:37 pm
Put your money where your mouth is. BTW, I don’t except your EBT.
Florida is Red
November 12, 2024 at 11:48 am
Oh and Donna Deegan is next on the chopping block.
the Truth
November 12, 2024 at 7:25 pm
Deegan is a Democrat who thinks like a raging liberal. she is a one term mayor, bet on that