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Extensive Media Enterprises Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is facing more pressure as the General Election approaches in about a year, which will decide if she gets another term. On Tuesday, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced he is suing Jacksonville for keeping lists of people who brought firearms into City Hall and the Yates Building between 2023 and 2025, saying this goes against state law. This move isn’t unexpected. Uthmeier had already threatened legal action once the practice became public. The relevant law, Florida Statutes 790.335, bans registries under threat of criminal and civil penalties, including potential “felony of the third degree” charges and “a fine of not more than $5 million” via a civil action from the Attorney General. 
The felony rap is off the table, but the state seeks the five million dollars as a culmination of a story arc that was Mayor Donna Deegan’s responsibility. The 'Check Points and Perimeter Security' memo was created on June 30, 2023, during the transition from Lenny Curry’s administration to Deegan’s. It was updated and put into effect in July after Deegan became Mayor. Deegan’s office stands by its handling of the matter, saying a staff member made the mistake and pointing to a statement it gave in March. “As we have stated from the very beginning, the records will show that Mayor Deegan and her leadership team were unaware of this action taken by an individual employee concerned about building security – and that the practice was immediately ended once it became known … As the state pursues politically motivated deflections that waste taxpayer dollars, the Mayor remains focused on addressing affordability challenges for the people of Jacksonville. It would be nice to have a state partner that is doing the same.” Is not knowing about the issue a valid defense? Based on what the Mayor said on the radio a few months ago, she seems to think so. “It wasn’t a policy, necessarily. It was a, you know, ‘This is the step that we’re going to take to comply with this new law.’ I think that was my supposition from simply what I know, what I’ve seen, is that this new law was going to go into place. I guess there was a response from the security folks of, ‘Here’s how we’re going to try to keep people safe’.” It’s still unclear why security staff were allowed to set policy. Uthmeier, on the other hand, views this as a constitutional issue. “The Second Amendment is not a second-class right. And we will use all the power of this office to protect the rights of Floridians,” he said in a social media video Tuesday. Some City Council members are echoing this view, including Rory Diamond, who often criticizes Deegan. “Mayor Deegan broke the law. She hates the 2nd Amendment. This is what happens when you elect radical leftists.” As the 2027 Elections approach, Republicans are eager to paint Deegan as too liberal for Jacksonville, a city that has known her for nearly fifty years through her work in TV news, organizing a major road race, surviving breast cancer, and now as Mayor. Deegan’s critics have focused on problems at JEA, controversial comments from the city’s former Hispanic Outreach Coordinator about ICE stakeouts, and other similar issues. They also have support from an ally in Tallahassee. Uthmeier is considered one of the most politically savvy Attorneys General in Florida’s history. He played a big role in DeSantis’ success over two terms and helped block the abortion and cannabis amendments in 2024. He takes on these fights because he believes in the issues and knows it’s better to challenge his opponents directly. As he attempts to become better known statewide between now and November, he’s willing and able to wade into this Jacksonville drama. And the headlines created through March will undoubtedly be part of attack ads when the mayoral race heats up. Meanwhile, challengers continue to queue up to stop Deegan’s re-election, with a third Democrat now entering the race, bringing the total to nine candidates. Rhachel Toombs is best known for what most would consider right-of-center political involvement, including with Americans for Prosperity and the America’s Future Foundation. And in another twist, Toombs works for the city’s Public Works Department. She said the city Ethics office cleared her to run, which is legal because she’s not an appointed official. She also believes she is the first active city employee to run for Mayor. Toombs, a resident of the Woodstock area on Jacksonville’s Westside, has worked for the city for a year and a half by her estimate. That is longer than she’s been a Democrat. She joined the party last Fall. Despite Deegan being backed by the Democratic establishment, Toombs believes she will find a receptive audience in the party. “I really feel that in the Democratic audience, you have so many people that really do embrace classic liberal values, and that we have a lot in common there, and we have a lot in common on our views on issues and desires on what we want to see happen in the country and in particular in Jacksonville,” Toombs said Monday, during a break from her day job. Deegan does not impress Toombs as a leader. “Deegan has been largely ineffective. I think she’s maintained popularity because her handlers at least try to prevent her from getting into hot water over hot-button issues,” Toombs said. Read more. |
