Featured image for “OPINION | Donna Deegan needs a political machine”
Donna Deegan celebrates with supporters at Estrella Cocina after winning the Jacksonville mayoral election Tuesday, May 16, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 18, 2023

OPINION | Donna Deegan needs a political machine

With three-and-a-half years to go in Deegan’s administration, it’s apparent that she could use more political cover on the City…

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Former City Chief of Staff Pat McCollough. | Pat McCollough Facebook
December 18, 2023

Mayor’s chief of staff leaves City Hall job

City officials did not say why Pat McCollough left her position. Information about a replacement could come soon.…

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State Rep. Dean Black of Jacksonville.
November 27, 2023

OPINION | Love him or hate him, Dean Black continues to shape the narrative

In Jacksonville’s Deegan era, Rep. Dean Black continues to be the new mayor’s foil.…

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October 11, 2023

OPINION | 2 images that show the work we need to do

In the images of Woods and Deegan, the degradation of one, and the praise of another, is how much further…

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EverBank Stadium has served as the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars since their inaugural season in 1995. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 9, 2023

OPINION | Donna Deegan’s stadium conundrum

The mayor isn’t going to be able to make everyone happy. Will anyone be smiling at the end?…

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Jacksonville University hosted a mayoral debate between the seven candidates vying for election this spring. They were placed in alphabetical order: Omega Allen, LeAnna Cumber, Daniel Davis, Donna Deegan, Al Ferraro, Audrey Gibson and Frank Keasler. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 5, 2023

OPINION | Who drew first blood? A Jax election retrospective

Jacksonville’s recent local elections were the nastiest in our city’s history. These campaigns slung first mud.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Reading the tea leaves: What poll means for Sheriff Waters, Mayor Deegan”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters speaks at a news conference announcing the results of "Operation: Hot Summer." | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
September 21, 2023

OPINION | Reading the tea leaves: What poll means for Sheriff Waters, Mayor Deegan

Typically, one poll does not garner this much attention. But the latest University of North Florida Jax Speaks poll gives…

Featured image for “OPINION | Where did Deegan go wrong? Lessons from the failed Ferraro and DeFoor nominations”
September 18, 2023

OPINION | Where did Deegan go wrong? Lessons from the failed Ferraro and DeFoor nominations

Two failed nominations reveal a surprising lack of understanding of how the City Council actually works and thinks.…

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Former City Councilwoman Randy DeFoor speaks at a news conference at City Hall. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
September 13, 2023

Deegan nominee DeFoor withdraws name from Jacksonville top attorney consideration

Randy DeFoor, the former Jacksonville City Council member who Mayor Donna Deegan nominated to lead the city’s Office of General…

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Mayor Donna Deegan answers questions at a news conference on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, to rally support for her nominee for general counsel, Randy DeFoor, right. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
August 23, 2023

Mayor decries ‘smear campaign’ over top attorney’s appointment

City Council voted Tuesday to send a second request to the Florida ethics commission about Randy DeFoor’s ability to take…

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Mayoral candidate Al Ferraro is proposing a Confederate monument voter referendum | Photo: Al Ferraro for Mayor via Facebook
August 9, 2023

OPINION | Al Ferraro’s appointment deserves scrutiny 

What makes Mayor Deegan’s appointment of Al Ferraro to lead the city’s Neighborhoods Department, so baffling.…

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Mayor Donna Deegan presents her first city budget in July 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 7, 2023

OPINION | Is it a purge? Donna Deegan separates from the Lenny Curry era

Mayor Donna Deegan has made some moves that show a dramatic break with the previous administration. But not all of…

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July 24, 2023

Jax budget plan makes sure federal COVID relief isn’t lost

Jacksonville’s unspent COVID relief money could go toward UF Health’s indigent care program, city employee health care and more.…

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Mayor Donna Deegan welcomes Vice President Kamala Harris to Jacksonville on July 21, 2023. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2023

OPINION | VP Harris exposed DeSantis’ weakness 

VP Harris spoke truths about Gov. Ron DeSantis that Florida’s disempowered Democrats lack the platform to fully get over on…

Featured image for “Mayor Deegan’s executive team on track to cost more than Curry’s”
July 10, 2023

Mayor Deegan’s executive team on track to cost more than Curry’s

Mayor Donna Deegan is assembling a more expensive City Hall executive team than that of her predecessor, Lenny Curry.…

Featured image for “OPINION | One position is missing from Deegan’s appointments, but she has a solid staff ”
June 15, 2023

OPINION | One position is missing from Deegan’s appointments, but she has a solid staff 

Besides choosing good people, Donna Deegan found people who can co-exist with a Democratic mayor and Republican City Council.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Transition volition: Why Donna Deegan needs a fast start”
May 29, 2023

OPINION | Transition volition: Why Donna Deegan needs a fast start

Mayor Deegan will deal with a GOP supermajority City Council. She is going to have to score early victories before…

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May 17, 2023

OPINION | On the come up 

I criticize this bold new city of the South consistently, but I’m not above applauding when ovation is due. And,…

Featured image for “OPINION | The campaign we deserved? Looking back on the 2023 Jax mayor election”
Donna Deegan and Daniel Davis
May 15, 2023

OPINION | The campaign we deserved? Looking back on the 2023 Jax mayor election

What the Donna Deegan vs. Daniel Davis’ race says about Jacksonville voters and what kind of politics people here really…

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Photo: Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
May 1, 2023

OPINION | Romanticizing law enforcement is a no-win game

For all of their differences, Donna Deegan and Daniel Davis are on the same page when it comes to giving…

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Jacksonville University hosted a mayoral debate between the seven candidates vying for election this spring. They were placed in alphabetical order: Omega Allen, LeAnna Cumber, Daniel Davis, Donna Deegan, Al Ferraro, Audrey Gibson and Frank Keasler. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
March 9, 2023

3 takeaways from the Jacksonville mayoral debate

Here’s what the candidates had to say about infrastructure needs, their Downtown plan, and the importance of the St. Johns…

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Donna Deegan | Submitted by campaign
February 20, 2023

OPINION | What the Donna Deegan surge means

Donna Deegan has raised a fraction of the money her opponents have. So why is she polling better?…

Featured image for “OPINION | Have Democrats lost the Jax mayoral race already?”
Donna Deegan announced her candidacy for Jacksonville mayor last year on WJCT News 89.9's First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross. | Heather Schatz
July 10, 2022

OPINION | Have Democrats lost the Jax mayoral race already?

For the first time in many years, two serious Democratic candidates are running for Jacksonville mayor. And for backers of…