D.C. Reeves touts endorsements from public safety figures

Law enforcement and public safety figures are lining up behind the re-election campaign of Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves.

Reeves has made public safety one of his key issues, and last week announced endorsements from Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 71 and the Pensacola Professional Firefighters.

“Since taking office in 2022, Reeves has kept public safety as his top priority, making unprecedented investments to keep our heroes ready, investing millions in competitive pay, equipment and infrastructure,” read a statement issued by the Reeves campaign.

“D.C. Reeves is the kind of leader you want working for your community,” Simmons added. “He listens, he shows up, and he puts people first.”

Reeves’ campaign website says Pensacola’s overall crime rate has dropped 28.6% since he took office, including a 78.5% drop in attempted homicides and a 52% reduction in robberies. He also says pay increases for police and firefighters have led to record-low vacancy rates.

Reeves was first elected Mayor in August 2022, besting three opponents with 51% of the vote and avoiding a runoff. He is a sports journalist, author and the owner of multiple bars and breweries.

Sworn in at the age of 38, Reeves is Pensacola’s youngest Mayor since J. Harvey Bayliss was appointed mayor in 1921. His father, Jim Reeves, was elected to represent Escambia County in the House at the age of 28.

In his re-election campaign, D.C. Reeves faces a crowded field that includes Jasmine Brown, Ann Hill, Eric Shorter, Alicia Trawick and Jermaine Williams. Reeves holds a dominant fundraising edge, however, reporting $115,000 in contributions while no other candidate has cracked $20,000.

Though the race is officially nonpartisan, Reeves is a Republican.

Pensacola’s mayoral election will be on the Aug. 18 Primary ballot. If no candidate receives more than 50%, the top two vote-getters will head to a runoff in November.