Deborah Wesley seeks Jacksonville council seat
Share this @internewscast.com

Deborah Wesley, a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office commander, enters the race for a potential City Council seat with Sheriff T.K. Waters’ endorsement.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office commander has announced her candidacy for a Jacksonville City Council position, potentially prompting a special election next year if the current council member, Terrance Freeman, decides to pursue a seat in the state House of Representatives.

Deborah Wesley, a one-star commander with 34 years of service in the Sheriff’s Office’s Department of Corrections, has launched her campaign with the endorsement of Sheriff T.K. Waters right out of the gate.

“It has been many years since someone from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has taken a role on the City Council. This election is set to change that,” Waters stated.

Wesley, a Republican, will run to fill the at-large group 1 seat held now by Freeman, who cannot run again for City Council because of term limits.

“I’ve spent my life serving this city, supporting families, and standing firm for our values,” Wesley said in the July 7 announcement of her campaign. “As a Jacksonville native, I understand the unique challenges our neighborhoods face because I’ve lived them — and I’ve worked every day to make our city safer, stronger, and more united.”

The next round of elections for city offices is slated for March 2027 but the contest for that particular council seat might come sooner in August 2026.

Freeman has been exploring a run for the state House seat held currently by Wyman Duggan, who cannot seek another House term because of term limits.

The election for state offices will have a primary in August 2026 followed by a general election in November 2026. If Freeman becomes a candidate for the House seat, the city would have a special election at the same time for voters to elect a new at-large council member for filling the rest of Freeman’s unexpired term on council.

Freeman, a Republican, said he is seriously considering a race for House District 12.

“I’ve been humbled by the encouragement I’ve received from conservative leaders and members of our community who share my commitment to common-sense principles, public safety and responsible government,” he said. “I’ll be making a final decision in the coming months after thoughtful consideration and prayer.”

With term limits preventing some council members from seeking re-election in 2027, they will be looking at other races if they want to remain in elective office.

City Council member Randy White has already filed to run for tax collector. That election runs at the same time as City Council elections so there won’t be a special election for White’s seat.

In the race for the at-large group 1 seat, Wesley said that as a “lifelong public safety professional, I know what it takes to keep our communities safe and uphold the rule of law.”

Waters, whose endorsement will be sought by Republicans running in the city races, said Wesley has a “no-nonsense approach to getting things done” and will bring “the discipline, command presence and sense of duty we need at City Hall.”

The at-large group 1 seat is one of five seats on the 19-member council that has a citywide election where all voters can cast ballots.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
NYC shooting: Mayor says gunman was targeting NFL headquarters

New York City Shooting: Mayor Reveals Attack was Aimed at NFL Offices

The shooting occurred at a skyscraper that houses the NFL headquarters, Blackstone,…
US accuses Venezuelan regime of narco-terrorism over alliances with Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa Cartel

US Charges Venezuelan Government with Drug-Related Terrorism Ties to Aragua Train and Sinaloa Cartel

The U.S. government has designated the Cartel de los Soles, a Venezuela-based…
Large group of travelers waiting at LAX airport for a Honolulu flight.

Leading Airlines Suspend Flights Following Powerful Earthquake Near Russia Which Triggers US Tsunami Alert

The 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia has caused airlines to halt flights…
Third suspect in brutal Cincinnati beatdown arrested, charged with assault

Third individual apprehended and charged in violent Cincinnati attack

A third individual has been taken into custody over a violent incident…
'Walk-on' baseball coach and substitute groundskeeper at California high school charged with sex crimes

California High School Baseball Coach and Stand-In Groundskeeper Accused of Sexual Offenses

A part-time baseball coach and temporary groundskeeper at a California high school…
Emergency personnel at a kindergarten damaged by an earthquake.

‘Devastating’ tsunami alert for US: Evacuations in Hawaii & Japan following massive 8.8 earthquake in Pacific

A MONSTER earthquake has struck off the coast of Russia leading to…
NTSB launches 3-day investigative hearing on deadly DC plane crash

NTSB Begins Three-Day Investigation Hearing on Fatal DC Plane Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated a three-day hearing concerning…
Live | Day 2: Jacksonville rapper Ksoo's murder trial continues

LIVE Update: Day 6 of Jacksonville Rapper Ksoo’s Murder Trial

Jacksonville rapper Hakeem Robinson, also known as Ksoo, is currently on trial…
Facial recognition software leads to arrest of suspect accused of injuring ICE officer

Facial recognition technology helps capture suspect accused of harming ICE officer

FBI investigators identified Robert Jacob Hoopes as a suspect in the injury…
Jimmy Hoffa's family calls on Trump to release FBI files

Hoffa Family Urges Trump to Unseal FBI Documents

Fifty years ago today, at 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of…
Ryne Sandberg death: Chicago Cubs fans pay tribute to Hall of Fame second baseman outside Wrigley Field

Chicago Cubs Fans Pay Tribute to Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg at Wrigley Field After His Passing

CHICAGO (WLS) — Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg is being remembered for his…
Trump issues firm 10-day deadline to Putin to end war

Trump sets a strict 10-day ultimatum for Putin to cease hostilities

President Donald Trump on Tuesday firmed up threats he issued one day…