Chadd Charland challenges Dean Black in HD 15

Jacksonville Republican Rep. Dean Black could face opposition in November.

Chadd Charland, a 46-year-old no party affiliation candidate from Fernandina Beach, filed this week in House District 15, vowing to emphasize “equity, equality, and the environment” during his campaign against an incumbent seeking his third term.

While he recognizes he faces an “uphill challenge” given the district’s strong GOP lean in registration, Charland is running NPA because he doesn’t feel either party represents his interests, and because he doesn’t like the idea of an incumbent running unopposed.

“A lot of people see the Democratic brand as toxic,” Charland says.

Charland tells Florida Politics he put his campaign together on short notice, and while he’s just getting started, he’s been speaking to groups throughout Nassau County to ascertain their concerns.

If elected, he looks to challenge Rayonier and its efforts to build an ethanol plant in the eastern part of Nassau, and to be a voice for people in West Nassau who want to protect the area’s “rural character” by helping to “put the brakes on sprawl and development.”

Despite the heavy Republican advantage in the district, he believes high gas prices, the “illegal and immoral war” against Iran, and “Israeli genocide” may help to drive anti-Republican turnout that could give him a shot.

Black, the most recent former chair of the Duval County Republican Party, perhaps is best known for being the House sponsor of legislation favored by Gov. Ron DeSantis that looks to eliminate local diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

As of the end of 2025, he had raised more than $82,000 to his campaign account for his re-election, retaining more than $55,000 cash on hand. He also had almost $74,000 in his True Conservatives political committee at the end of last year.

Black performed well in his last two elections. He defeated a write-in candidate in 2022 with almost 99% of the vote, then got nearly 65% against a Democrat two years later.