|
Democrat Donna Deegan pulled off an upset in Jacksonville,
defeating front-running candidate Republican Daniel Davis on
Tuesday to become the city's first female mayor.
"We made history, tonight," Deegan, who is also a founder of a
breast cancer research organization, said to her supporters
after her win. "Everyone said it could not be done in
Jacksonville, Florida."
Deegan's win was improbable as Davis led in fundraising and was
endorsed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, widely thought to
be weighing a 2024 presidential campaign.
Deegan will replace Lenny Curry, who was term limited in
Jacksonville.
In Philadelphia, former state representative and City Council
member Cherelle Parker won the Democratic nomination for mayor.
She now faces Republican David Oh in the general election in
November, a race she will most likely win in the largely
Democratic city.
Parker pledged to hire more police officers if she becomes Mayor
of Philadelphia, where violent crime remains a chief concern
across the nation's sixth largest city. She, like Deegan, would
become her city's first female mayor if she wins, taking over
for incumbent Democratic mayor Jim Kenney, who was term limited.
In Colorado Springs, political newcomer and Independent Yemi
Modolade defeated former Secretary of State Wayne Williams, a
Republican, to become that city's first Black mayor. Modolade, a
businessman, will take over for Mayor John Suthers, who was term
limited.
"It's a new day in our beloved city," he said during his victory
speech flanked by his family. "To anyone who doubts that
politics can be disrupted ... tonight is for you."
(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Bill
Berkrot)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
