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Democrat Donna Deegan grew to become the primary lady to be elected mayor of Jacksonville, Florida—beating out Republican Daniel Davis, a former state legislator who had the backing of Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a runoff.
Deegan’s win, with 52 % of the vote, is a shocking upset by Democrats. Jacksonville is a longtime GOP stronghold and, earlier than Tuesday, stood as the biggest metropolis within the nation to have a Republican mayor. There hasn’t been a Democrat in cost since 2015.
“Everybody mentioned it couldn't be carried out in Jacksonville, Florida,” Deegan mentioned in her victory speech. “We did it as a result of we introduced the individuals inside.”
Deegan was a well-liked TV anchor in Jacksonville earlier than she based her nonprofit group, the DONNA Basis, for breast most cancers analysis. She was painted by her opponent as a leftist who would enact “radical insurance policies” if elected, and confronted criticism from Republicans for her participation in Black Lives Matter protests.
She loved some bipartisan assist with GOP council members Matt Carlucci and Randy DeFoor crossing occasion strains to again her.
“I can’t inform you how many individuals from throughout the political spectrum reached out to me and mentioned ‘We wish you to know, I’ve by no means voted for a Democrat earlier than. I’m going to vote for you,’” Deegan mentioned after her victory.
She mentioned Davis referred to as her to graciously concede.
“I simply acquired a really good cellphone name from Daniel Davis who mentioned to me that he's rooting for me and he'll work for me to create a metropolis that works for all of us,” she advised supporters. “He is able to work collectively and I’m able to work with him and all people else who loves this metropolis to make this metropolis every thing it may be.”