A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s new political committee “Duval for All” has eclipsed $200,000 in cash on hand as of the end of March, as local attention starts to turn to the 2027 election cycle.
The committee raised a relatively modest $31,250 in the first quarter of 2025 after taking in $136,000 during the final quarter of 2024. But the committee’s donor profile reveals the power of incumbency over the last two quarters, with some prominent Republican names and institutions among the contributors.
These include former Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton’s family business, Gate Petroleum ($5,000), Mori Hosseini ($10,000) and Gary Chartrand ($10,000).
Deegan’s ability to corral cross-party support helped her at the ballot box in 2023. If she’s able to secure backing from GOP donors over the next few years, she will be able to position herself well against whatever Republican competition may emerge. Her strong working relationship with former opponent Daniel Davis in his capacity at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce is another positive sign.
Neither Deegan nor any major potential Republican candidates have opened campaign accounts yet, but many have political committee activity.
Among those: the political committee of House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan. He had an impressive Q1 for his associated Citizens for Building Florida’s Future committee.
That account now has more than $815,000 after a Q1 haul of $222,900.
Duggan’s strong Tallahassee ties are boosting the account. Associated Industries of Florida, Publix and Trulieve each donated $10,000 last quarter.
JAX Good Government, the political committee of City Council Vice President Kevin Carrico, also had a strong Q1, with $119,450 raised and more than $277,000 in cash on hand.
Arguably the most meaningful donation: the $25,000 from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If Carrico jumps into the mayoral race (a big if, as he could run for re-election to the City Council), this signal of support from the Shad Khan entity could mean Deegan won’t derive maximum benefit from the stadium deal she signed off on last year.
Khan typically has backed incumbents exclusively, as he did in 2011 (Alvin Brown) and 2019 (Lenny Curry). Early indications are that he may spread the wealth this time around.
Two other City Councilmen have been linked with mayoral runs. Both of them are term-limited.
The Friends of Rory Diamond political committee raised no money in Q1, and has $68,000 on hand.
Diamond repeatedly posts to social media about Jacksonville needing a “new Mayor,” stoking speculation that he may run. He has explored runs for other offices recently, including for Congress after Mike Waltz resigned to become Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser.
The Moving Jacksonville Forward committee associated with Ron Salem also underperformed in Q1 if his goal is to run for Mayor, as he has suggested. It raised just $500 last quarter, and has nearly $89,000 in cash on hand.
There is also talk that Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland will run for Mayor, which could make the GOP field even more crowded. He doesn’t have a political committee yet though.
Two candidates have officially filed to run, both Republicans.
Ronald Armstrong Jr., who runs a nonprofit, raised $4,225 in Q1. And Harry Daniel Long III has yet to record fundraising through nine months as a filed candidate.
Qualifying is in January 2027, so there is plenty of time for these names and others to make some moves.
12 comments
Peachy
April 11, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Typical Demo. She whiffs on tough decisions or controversial decisions.People of Jax get rid of her.
JD
April 11, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Man you are PB. That’s not even pointed critism, it’s just a flush.
Peachy
April 11, 2025 at 2:31 pm
I would call that a Royal Flush. Didn’t sign or veto that immigration legislation. Like other Demos that say present instead of yea or nay on a vote.
JD
April 11, 2025 at 2:38 pm
That was strategic and you know it. She can effectively neuter it with administrative ways and financing and DeSantis can’t remove her for cause. Stop trying to spin it. People are smarter than the propaganda BS. You’re just pissed she outflanked the BananaRepubicans.
Peachy
April 12, 2025 at 9:25 am
Outflanked? Talking about spin. Whew I’m dizzy by that ride there JD. She FAILED to make a decision. That is not leadership.
JD
April 12, 2025 at 12:24 pm
I guess I need to spell it out. She did outflank them. Here’s what happened:
Deegan didn’t need to veto or sign the bill to oppose it effectively. Jacksonville’s charter allows an ordinance to become law after 10 days without mayoral action. She let it pass without her signature, avoiding both direct endorsement and direct defiance.
From here, she can move to neuter the ordinance using her administrative and budgetary powers:
Budget Constraints – She can refuse to allocate funding for enforcement, requiring all costs to come from state or federal sources. No local taxpayer dollars would be spent on the unfunded mandate.
Public Safety Prioritization – She could direct JSO to prioritize violent crime and public safety over immigration enforcement, using discretion to avoid reassigning limited personnel.
Federal MOU Requirement – She can require a formal Memorandum of Understanding with DHS or ICE before any city cooperation. If none exists, the city simply doesn’t cooperate.
Executive Order – She could issue an EO barring departments from spending time or money enforcing the law without external funding.
All of this avoids direct noncompliance while making enforcement practically impossible. If the state wants it enforced, they’ll have to fund it or sue for it. That’s the strongest legal move she can make without risking suspension.
So yes. She made a well thought out decision. You’re trying to twist it by cherry-picking single pieces of information, but when laid out in full, your narrative falls apart. Sorry, that’s how the propaganda cookie crumbles.
JD
April 12, 2025 at 12:25 pm
I guess I need to spell it out. She did outflank them. Here’s what happened:
Deegan didn’t need to veto or sign the bill to oppose it effectively. Jacksonville’s charter allows an ordinance to become law after 10 days without mayoral action. She let it pass without her signature, avoiding both direct endorsement and direct defiance.
From here, she can move to neuter the ordinance using her administrative and budgetary powers:
Budget Constraints – She can refuse to allocate funding for enforcement, requiring all costs to come from state or federal sources. No local taxpayer dollars would be spent on the unfunded mandate.
Public Safety Prioritization – She could direct JSO to prioritize violent crime and public safety over immigration enforcement, using discretion to avoid reassigning limited personnel.
Federal MOU Requirement – She can require a formal Memorandum of Understanding with DHS or ICE before any city cooperation. If none exists, the city simply doesn’t cooperate.
Executive Order – She could issue an EO barring departments from spending time or money enforcing the law without external funding.
All of this avoids direct noncompliance while making enforcement practically impossible. If the state wants it enforced, they’ll have to fund it or sue for it. That’s the strongest legal move she can make without risking suspension.
So yes—she made a well thought out decision. You’re trying to twist it by cherry-picking single pieces of information, but when laid out in full, your narrative falls apart. Sorry, that’s how the propaganda cookie crumbles.
Posted twice so you see it.
Frankie M.
April 11, 2025 at 8:21 pm
Who would be dumb enough to veto that? It would just go back to council & pass again. Meanwhile Ron Salem & company would send out campaign attack ads accusing Deegan of being anti-American & DeSantis could remove her for…insert reason here. Funny how nobody said anything when Lenny didn’t sign the HRO & let it become law thanks to a quid pro quo with the late Tommy Hazouri.
Suzanne Wilson
April 12, 2025 at 5:43 am
I am truly amazed that a TV News Anchor made mayor. And yes, she is a typical democrat. I will call her by her new name On The Fence Deegan. We need a mayor who actually can make a decision and not try to accommodate both sides.
Robert Gene Tomes
April 12, 2025 at 6:24 am
The city officials need to inforce the City’s Laws that They already have, instead of worrying about the MONEY THEY WANT.
the Truth once again
April 12, 2025 at 9:27 am
the only reason liberal Donna became mayor, is because Davis was a terrible Republican. Davis attacked Cumber and Ferraro. So, their supporters did not vote for him. And Al Ferraro had a sizable amount of support. So, when neither Cumber’s or Ferraro’s people did not vote for Davis, ala, Deegan becomes Mayor. We need a good Republican candidate to run and we will win, anyone but liberal white guilt Donna, please.
Robert Leaptrot
April 12, 2025 at 12:44 pm
HAVENT WE LEARNED ANYTHING FROM PAST GOP MAYORS BILLIONAIRE GAS STATION OWNERS AND PARTY LEADERS WHO TRIED TO PEDDLE OFF JEA THEY ALWAYS SCREW WORKING CLASS AND CATER TO WEALTHY JUST LIKE THE ORANG CON BUT WITH LOCAL TWIST