10 stories that shaped Jacksonville politics in 2025 … and possibly beyond

For yet another year, it was hard to nail down what the biggest stories locally were.

In one sense, the scene was static. Jacksonville’s City Council and Mayor continued to spar, but it’s called a strong Mayor government for a reason.

In another sense, we’re in what stock traders call a consolidation period, as plans are laid for 2026’s state elections and 2027’s local vote.

We now have plenty of sample size to deduce that Jacksonville’s current Democratic Mayor likely isn’t politically vulnerable in the way Alvin Brown might have been during equivalent points in his first and only term in City Hall … though there’s still time to change that.

Here are the Top 10 Jacksonville stories of 2025:

— Deegan holds on (No. 1): It’s almost time for prospective 2027 opponents to get in the race to replace Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. Otherwise, they had better reconcile themselves to a full eight years and the reality that they will never be elected to replace her. Deegan weathered a series of storms that were seen as potentially difficult, such as the back-and-forth about General Counsel Michael Fackler and the handgun registry that seemed like such a big deal last Spring but hasn’t led to much. But in the end, who has stood up ahead of 2027? Elections Supervisor Jerry Holland is telling people he’s running, but whether he gets meaningful donor class support remains to be seen. Other Republicans are dipping their toes in the water. But anyone who gets in right now is doing so as a serious underdog, and at a time when indications are that there is little momentum for them.

— Curry complications (No. 2): Former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry didn’t go away after leaving City Hall … and it’s to Deegan’s detriment. Curry, a former Republican Party of Florida Chair, wasn’t thrilled when Ballard Partners lost lobbying contracts when Deegan was elected, and he has stepped up his critiques since. He says he doesn’t want to run for Mayor. But also says he would win if he did run. Deegan and Curry have squabbled over policy issues for more than two years now. Curry took a leading role in advocating for a 1/8 mill property tax cut that the current administration supported. Deegan modified pension reform that Curry pushed through by creating a path for police and fire to enter the Florida Retirement System. If a serious opponent emerges for Deegan, Curry could be a problem. But as of right now, that’s a big if.

— Stadium vindication (No. 3): The Jacksonville Jaguars at this writing have a path to the top seed in the playoffs. While Denver still has pole position despite the Jags going into Mile High and scoring a statement win, the Jaguars won the biggest game of the season on the road and left the Broncos looking as bad as they have all year. In terms of sports, this is the ultimate feel-good story for a city that derives more of its identity from its NFL team than anywhere else south of Green Bay. But its political punch is even bigger. Those who were skeptical about spending money on a stadium renovation and pushing back pension payments to do so look to have lost the argument to those who prioritize the NFL over everything else.

— Wiles’ world (No. 4): The Most Powerful Woman in the World? That’s what President Donald Trump calls her and we close out 2025 not looking to argue with him. There may have been bumps in the road courtesy of Vanity Fair, but the fact is that a local still holds one of the most important political positions anywhere. This would have been the top story perhaps if Jacksonville’s local government had managed to get anything out of this unique, and necessarily temporary, dynamic. But it’s hard to imagine a Democratic Mayor being able to, given the partisan pique that characterizes the entire political process these days.

— School daze (No. 5): The Duval County School Board has become more assertive in recent months. On issues ranging from decisions to close underused schools to asserting the need for its own legal representation, the right-of-center Board has forced locals to think about education in a different way … even those who don’t have students in schools. Individual Board members like Chair Charlotte Joyce have stepped up to defend prerogatives of the panel despite resistance from the City Council. What does this ultimately lead to? At this point, that’s an open question. But it’s one this current permutation of the Board will force.

— Renner’s run (No. 6): He’s not the front-runner in the Governor’s race, but former House Speaker Paul Renner may prove to have staying power. The one-time candidate for the House from Jacksonville’s Westside drew his share of scoffing when he announced his candidacy this year. But his quiet, socially conservative leadership is keeping him in the game without endorsements from Gov. Ron DeSantis (who, when Renner announced his campaign, asked “Governor of what?”) and President Donald Trump, who backs Byron Donalds.

— Go Gators (No. 7): By this time next year, operations should be humming at Jacksonville’s downtown graduate campus for the University of Florida, transforming Lavilla as we know it. Business, health care and engineering degrees will emerge, along with the Florida Semiconductor Institute. A total of $300 million of public and private money has already been committed to the build, and by the end of the decade, we won’t be able to remember what Jacksonville was like without it.

— Nixon’s next move (No. 8): Arguably the most left-wing politician to get elected in Jacksonville history, state Rep. Angie Nixon of House District 13 has not been especially effective in Tallahassee. So she’s exploring going to Washington as a candidate for U.S. Senate, or to the Jacksonville City Council in 2027. She’s been doing a listening tour around the state to figure it out or road test her message. Nature abhors a vacuum, however, and two political vets — former state Sen. Audrey Gibson and former Councilman Reggie Gaffney — are vying for her seat.

— Bowling over (No. 9): Was it a power struggle in the Mayor’s Office? Chief Administrative Officer Karen Bowling was the biggest name to leave the Deegan administration in 2025, and for a time there was a lot of talk. Republicans who hadn’t praised anything in the Mayor’s Office suddenly had plenty of compliments. People closer to the Mayor’s Office said her departure essentially was addition by subtraction, questioning her work ethic. It’s Mike Weinstein’s job now … but aren’t they all in the end?

— Budget compromise (No. 10): Divided government often leads to paralysis, then compromise. A good example of that this year was when the Jacksonville City Council passed its Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. While conservatives got a 1/4 mill cut on property taxes, the main event of the evening ultimately went against them. Republican Rory Diamond carried through on his proposal to stop city funding for abortions and related services, so-called diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and undocumented immigrants, but Democrats and a few Republican members held firm. Ultimately, the spending plan passed without the culture war language.