WE ARE STILL WINNING

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https://news.yahoo.com/nick-howland-wins-special-election-010714569.html

Nick Howland won a high-spending special election for Jacksonville City Council that burst expectations it would have lackluster turnout as the only race on the ballot Tuesday (2/22).

Howland, a Republican, and Tracye Polson, a Democrat, engaged in full-fledged campaigns with all the trappings of television advertisements, campaign mailers and appearances by statewide Democratic officials for Polson and a recorded phone call by Gov. Ron DeSantis for Howland.

Joe Biden carried Duval County in 2020, the first time a Democrat had prevailed in the county since the 1970s in a presidential election. But Republicans have kept their decisive advantage in local elections, even as the county becomes more of a toss-up in state and national contests.

The at-large seat was left vacant when Tommy Hazouri died in September after a career that made him one of the most well-known political figures in Jacksonville history. Hazouri was one of the rare Democrats able to win a countywide race for City Hall. With all precincts counted, Howland had won 68,215 votes, or 51.8%, to 63,404 votes for Polson in unofficial results.

Howland said Tuesday night he tentatively expects to take the oath of office on March 2 and wants to start "immediately making an impact."

"One of the things we have coming up very quickly is the budget for next year," Howland said. "I look forward to working with the mayor, working with the rest of the City Council and the sheriff to make sure the budget delivers what this city needs, particularly safer streets and neighborhoods.”

Howland said during the campaign that Polson wanted to "defund the police," a charge he made relentlessly as he stood with police officers and Sheriff Mike Williams in ads. The Fraternal Order of Police endorsed him.

Polson shot back that she never proposed any reduction in the number of JSO officers. She wanted to expand an existing co-responder program that sends mental health clinicians on calls with officers to identify people who would be better served with treatment than jail time.

"We ran a love filled, truth filled, justice filled campaign and I am so proud of Team Polson!" she wrote in a tweet. "Thank everyone for your faith in me!"

Howland, CEO of The Fire Watch non-profit that works to end veteran suicides, told voters he wants to bring a long-range strategic approach to the city's growth.

He said the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office needs about 300 more police officers and he would support Williams adding more police to bring down crime.

He said he will focus on job creation and wants to build on advances in financial technology by expanding logistics and manufacturing operations that add middle-class jobs.

He said he supports infill development in older neighborhoods and bringing more activity to downtown.

Polson, a licensed clinical social worker, ran as someone who would carry the torch for the style of political leadership that Hazouri brought to the city. She told voters she "can't be bought" and would bring "thoughtful and tough questions" to City Hall.

"I think people in Jacksonville are really desperate for ethical and respectful and trustworthy leaders," she said.

Polson told voters the city needs more outreach to small businesses, especially those owned by people of color. She said environmental justice, preparing for the impact of climate change and helping long-neglected neighborhoods are vital to the city's future.

Howland and Polson faced off in the run-off after they were the top two vote-getters in a Dec. 7 election that drew 12.6% of registered voters to the polls.

Turnout soared to more than 20% in the runoff and this time around, Republicans had the advantage with several thousand more GOP voters casting ballots than Democrats did.

Howland will serve the remainder of the unexpired term for the at-large seat that runs through June 2023 and would need to run again next year for a full four-year term.

Howland said Republicans were able to "hold tight" with Democrats in early voting and vote by mail, keeping the margin close enough for the GOP's usual Election Day surge to flip the voter advantage.
"It was beyond our expectations," he said. "We couldn’t be more happy with the results."
The Republican National Committee quickly chimed in after Howland pulled away to victory.
"Good to see Florida Democrats aren’t waiting until November to start losing," RNC spokeswoman Julia Friedland said.

The outcome of the special election means Republicans hold all five at-large seats on the 19-member City Council. Republicans have nine of the 14 district seats on council, so overall, they command a supermajority with 14 of 19 council seats.