News Summary
Former Jacksonville City Council member Reggie Gaffney Sr. has announced his candidacy for the House District 13 Democratic Primary in 2026. This announcement creates a competitive race as political veteran Audrey Gibson is also expected to run. Gaffney emphasizes bipartisan efforts to enhance economic development, mental health initiatives, and education. Political newcomer Shemiah Rutledge is also in the race, intensifying the Democratic primary competition. The outcome is crucial, given the Democratic registration edge in Duval County.
News Summary
Former Jacksonville City Council member Reggie Gaffney Sr. has announced his candidacy for the House District 13 Democratic Primary in 2026. This announcement creates a competitive race as political veteran Audrey Gibson is also expected to run. Gaffney emphasizes bipartisan efforts to enhance economic development, mental health initiatives, and education. Political newcomer Shemiah Rutledge is also in the race, intensifying the Democratic primary competition. The outcome is crucial, given the Democratic registration edge in Duval County.
Jacksonville – Former Jacksonville City Council member Reggie Gaffney Sr. has officially announced his candidacy for the House District 13 Democratic Primary in 2026. This move sets the stage for a competitive race as political veteran Audrey Gibson, formerly the leader of the Senate Democrats, is also expected to file her candidacy soon. Their entry into the race promises to engage the Democratic base in Duval County, where voter registration favors the party.
Political newcomer Shemiah Rutledge is already in the running for the seat, which further intensifies the competition. The outcome of the Democratic primary is crucial, as the winner is likely to secure the position given the party’s registration edge in the county.
Gaffney, who previously served nearly two terms on the City Council, aims to bring his successful approach to Tallahassee. He emphasizes the importance of building bipartisan relationships to foster economic development, job creation, mental health initiatives, and educational improvements. He criticized the current political environment for its lack of collaboration between parties.
Gibson, who was term-limited after her tenure in the Senate, has also shown interest in returning to public office. She previously aimed to lead the Florida Democratic Party but was unsuccessful after stepping down from Mayor Donna Deegan‘s administration last year.
The political landscape is further highlighted by state-level developments. U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean, a Republican, is currently forgoing his congressional salary until the federal government reopens amidst a shutdown impacting essential services. Furthermore, State Senator Tom Leek is poised to reintroduce the “Officer Jason Raynor Act” to impose tougher penalties on crimes against police officers, following the bill’s failure to advance in a previous legislative session. The complementary bill in the House, sponsored by Rep. Jessica Baker, aims to streamline the coordination efforts to facilitate progress.
In Jacksonville, political dynamics remain vibrant as Speaker-designate Sam Garrison faces challenges from within the Republican Party ahead of the upcoming primary, despite enjoying a significant fundraising advantage. Meanwhile, Mayor Donna Deegan continues to gain traction for her re-election campaign, having raised over $1 million through her political committee.
The Jacksonville City Council has recently rejected a proposal aimed at granting the Duval County School Board more legal autonomy, with the vote narrowly concluding at 8-9. On a related note, Republican candidate Adam Brandon is successfully fundraising for his campaign to fill the vacancy left by Michael Boylan on the City Council.
Beyond political contests, the region is witnessing shifts in economic conditions. Manufacturing output in Northeast Florida has shown signs of improvement as of September, following a lackluster summer. Additionally, home sales across the six-county area in Northeast Florida have rebounded slightly in September, halting a four-month decline.
In the sports realm, the Jacksonville Jaguars are assessing their 4-2 season start under a new coaching staff while grappling with inconsistent performances from quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
This mix of political ambition, economic development, and community engagement highlights Jacksonville as a focal point of political and social activity as the 2026 elections approach.
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Additional Resources
- Florida Politics: Michael Kirwan Enters Democratic Primary in CD 4
- Wikipedia: Florida
- Florida Politics: Holloway-Kirwan CD4
- Google Search: Florida Politics
- Jacksonville.com: Florida Primary Election 2024 Duval County Voting Guide
- Google Scholar: Florida Primary Election
- NY Times: Results Florida Primary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida Elections
- Florida Phoenix: Key Primary Results
- Google News: Florida Elections
- Jacksonville.com: Florida Election Results Republican Presidential Primary
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
