2023 Jacksonville election: JSO assistant chief becomes first candidate in sheriff’s race

The first candidate has filed to run for Jacksonville’s next sheriff in the 2023 race.

Lakesha Burton, who is an Assistant Chief of Community Engagement for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, is currently the only person in the race for sheriff so far, according to the Duval County Supervisor of Elections website.

Burton is running as a Democrat and if elected, would be Jacksonville’s first female sheriff.

She serves on the General Board of the Police Athletic League of Jacksonville (also known as JAX PAL) and was formerly the executive director of the organization.

Jacksonville’s current sheriff, Mike Williams, can not run in 2023 as he will have reached the two consecutive term limit.

For the 2023 Jacksonville mayoral race, two current City Council members have filed to run so far -- Al Ferraro, who represents District 2 and Matthew Carlucci, who represents At Large Group 4. Both are running as Republicans.

Jacksonville’s current mayor, Lenny Curry, is unable to run again, also due to term limits.

Other candidates who have filed to run for city offices include:

• Chandra D. Ford (NPA) for City Council District 10
• James Jacobs (DEM) for City Council At Large Group 3
• Jerry Rorabaugh (LPF) for City Council At Large Group 5

Cox Media Group