FINAL PUSH: Action News Jax hits the campaign trail with Jacksonville’s Mayoral candidates

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With early voting underway, the candidates vying to become Jacksonville’s next mayor are making a final push to hear from voters and get them out to the polls.

Whether by foot or by golf cart, both mayoral candidates are revving up their voter outreach efforts as Election Day nears.

“This is basically just a reminder that we’re in the election right now and to get out there in the next few days and cast your ballot,” said Deegan while door-knocking in Northwest Jacksonville Wednesday.

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Throughout the morning, Deegan heard concerns about neighborhood preservation and a lack of city services from local voters.

“Our neighborhood has not looked clean since they cleaned up behind Hurricane Irma,” said voter Celia Seymour.

Deegan hopes the voter interactions will leave a lasting impact, especially on those like Celia who have not yet cast their ballot.

“We’re gonna make a difference over here. We’re gonna finally keep some promises,” Deegan told Celia.

Across town, Republican Daniel Davis spent the afternoon reaching out to San Marco voters.

“I asked, could I have your vote? He goes, you definitely have my vote,” said Davis returning after a conversation with a voter.

Many of the homes Davis targeted were those belonging to independent voters.

“We have pretty targeted data that tells us who the right folks are to talk to and we’re trying to stick with it, but you know, if I see somebody in a front yard, I’m stopping to talk to them,” said Davis. “It’s been pretty neat to talk to folks that may not have an ‘R’ next to their name or maybe are NPAs and they’re all in with us and it’s pretty cool to see.”

Public safety is a reoccurring theme he’s heard on the campaign trail.

“Across the board it’s crime. Public safety is the top issue. Something that you’re going to see, in my opinion, on Election Day is what people care about,” said Davis.

Both candidates have knocked on thousands of doors since the start of the election, taking with them lessons learned from the voters they’ve heard from.

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“If you can talk to people eyeball to eyeball, you know, I think those are the conversations that move the dial and plus, frankly I get a lot more information that way,” said Deegan.

“It’s been a lot of fun to have a lot of memories and stories I’ll never forget,” said Davis.

Also, taking away lessons from the sometimes-hectic situations they’ve encountered.

“The number one rule is if you’re chased by a dog, run to the street as fast as you can,” said Davis.

With under two weeks to go until Election Day, the candidates will be out every day spreading their message.

“People want a safer more affordable place to live and they know that that’s our message. That’s what we’re going to produce for them when we’re elected,” said Davis.

“People have been waiting in these neighborhoods a long time for the same resources that other neighborhoods have had for a very long time and so, that’s one of the top issues of my campaign,” said Deegan.

So, if you hear a knock at the door in the coming days, it might your chance to tell the next mayor of Jacksonville your hopes for the city’s future.

You still have time to return mail ballots and can vote at any early voting sites through May 14th.

Election Day is Tuesday, May.

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