JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast News has called the Jacksonville mayoral race in favor of Donna Deegan.
She celebrated her win Tuesday night at Estrella Cocina in Downtown Jacksonville surrounded by supporters and family.
“It’s time we usher in new leadership and positive change that allows all of us to thrive,’ said Deegan in a statement made Tuesday afternoon. “I am forever grateful to everyone who has supported me along this journey.”
Deegan was spotted running around to different polling locations all day prior to the closing of polls, encouraging people to vote and make their voices heard.
She’s used to being in the public eye as a former television news anchor and breast cancer awareness advocate. Every year, The Donna Foundation hosts a Mother’s Day run to fundraise for the illness.
Crime has been a hot topic during this race – a poll by The University of North Florida showed a majority of Jacksonville voters feel it’s the biggest issue the city is facing. Deegan says she will put more police officers on the street but thinks law enforcement should have a better relationship with the public.
“There’s so many great intervention and prevention programs that if we actually spent some money on, we could keep some of these kids from getting into a life of crime so I think you need the enforcement side you got to put the bad guys in jail and at the same time we got to get to these kids before they get into violent situations,” Deegan said.
