The general election for Jacksonville, Florida, was on March 21, 2023. The filing deadline to run passed on Jan. 13.
Candidates ran for property appraiser, city council, and mayor. The general elections for sheriff, supervisor of elections, and tax collector were canceled after no more than one candidate filed to run for each race. Incumbent T.K. Waters (R), Jerry Holland (R), and incumbent Jim Overton (R) won the sheriff, supervisor of elections, and tax collector elections, respectively, without appearing on the ballot.
Donna Deegan (D), Audrey Gibson (D), LeAnna Cumber (R), Daniel Davis (R), Al Ferraro (R), Frank Keasler (R), Omega Allen (Independent), and Brian Griffin (Independent) (Write-in) ran for mayor of Jacksonville. Deegan and Davis advanced to the general runoff election after neither received a majority of the general election vote. Deegan received 39.5% of the vote, while Davis received 24.8%.
The runoff election is scheduled for May 16, 2023. In addition to mayor, runoffs will be held for property appraiser and the following city council seats: At-large Position 5, District 2, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 11, and District 14.
Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida and the 12th-largest city in the U.S. by population.
Texas is holding elections, including for municipal offices, on May 6, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of March 21. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.
Incumbent Alan Blaylock (nonpartisan) is running for Fort Worth City Council District 10 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Blaylock responded to the question: Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
“Reducing Property Taxes, Public Safety, Improving Roads.”
Click here to read the rest of Blaylock’s answers.
Natalie Carter (nonpartisan) is running for Humble Independent School District school board Position 7and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Carter responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“In the current political environment, candidates often rely on ideals- based on political affiliation, religious beliefs, environment, etc.-instead of providing ideas to solve the problems we face as a community. Our schools face the same obstacles, no matter where you are or where you come from; that is why it is so important that we expect more from our candidates at every level. The real value of a candidate is their ability to turn their words into actions.”
Jarrett Lipman (nonpartisan) is running for San Antonio City Council District 9 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Lipman responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Education, Water Management, Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Urban and Regional Planning.”
Christopher Schuchardt (nonpartisan) is running for mayor of San Antonio and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Schuchardt responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Economy. Law and Order.”
Click here to read the rest of Schuchardt’s answers.
Amanda Smith (nonpartisan) is running for Northwest Independent School District school board Place 5 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Smith responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“School [safety], keeping great teachers, and school funding.”
Joel Solis (nonpartisan) is running for San Antonio City Council District 10 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Solis responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
If you’re a Texas candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.
Both of the candidates running in the April 4, 2023, general election for Madison Common Council District 3 — Matt Van Eperen (nonpartisan) and Derek Field (nonpartisan) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
“Housing Affordability / Security. As our city (and county) continue to grow, we need to ensure that there is sufficient housing inventory and that such inventory is affordable. Currently, Madison is facing a crisis as there is low total housing inventory, and affordable housing is even more scarce. We need to ensure folks that want to live here can.
Public Safety / Justice. While Madison is generally ranked high on the safest places to live, that does not mean we shouldn’t focus on criminal behavior or the underlying factors that put public safety at risk. We need to build trust and engagement between community and law enforcement, ridding the city of bad policing tactics but ensuring that law enforcement has the tools it needs to work with the community towards the goal of safety. We also need to examine underlying causes of crime (e.g. mental health, food security) and other non-criminal public safety risks (e.g. transportation, environment).
Economic & Social Mobility / Equity. We need to support good jobs at fair wages. We need to ensure equitable access by small businesses to the resources it may need to grow, and remove barriers to small business growth. The city’s budget should reflect diverse needs and not create further disparities between folks in our community.”
“Madison is experiencing a housing crisis that we all feel impacting our household budgets. The supply of homes and apartments doesn’t meet the demand for housing, pushing prices far too high, far too quickly. I support responsible development and zoning tools that will bring more housing options to Madison – including options at lower price points.
Public trust in the safety of our water supply is essential. With PFAS and other contaminants being found in our public wells, we must be diligent in adding treatment systems and other infrastructure upgrades that protect the health and safety of our drinking water supply. We cannot afford to take this essential natural resource for granted.
Residents around the district are increasingly concerned about traffic safety where we see high speeds and dangerous driving behavior on our main roads through Far East Side neighborhoods. I support measures that will slow these drivers down, including traffic safety improvements like radar speed signs, redesigned intersections, and speed bumps. Our neighborhood roads must be safe for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
Both of the candidates running in the April 4, 2023, general election for Denver City Council District 5 — Incumbent Amanda Sawyer (nonpartisan) and Michael Hughes (nonpartisan) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
“Solutions for a Safer City: As a parent, I understand the challenges that have led many Denver families to move to the suburbs, like our crime rates and traffic concerns. Over my first term, I have worked hard to implement solutions to these challenges, and I’m proudly endorsed by the Denver Police and Denver Firefighters. In my next term, I will continue to address neighborhood and transportation safety issues in District 5.
Thoughtful About Development: Denver is going to continue to grow, but we need to be thoughtful about our City planning and the consequences those decisions have on our neighborhoods. I’ll continue to vote only for smart housing solutions that fit Denver’s needs, and continue to use tools like legislative rezonings to ensure thoughtful growth in District 5 with an eye to maintaining the unique character of our neighborhoods.
Representing Your Voice: I have earned a reputation as a fair and collaborative Councilmember who is willing to listen to all sides. I have consistently represented your voice through my votes, been responsive to your outreach, and explained the reasons for my decisions. We may not always agree, but you will always know where I stand and why. I’ll continue to find solutions to Denver’s challenges in the next four years.”
“To have a representative who will engage everyone in the community respectfully to work together, solve problems and move Denver forward
Denver needs housing that current and future residents can afford – in places where we have the infrastructure to build without increased congestion
Civility, inclusion, representation, and true engagement are the skills of my profession; it’s time to bring these to the work that lies ahead for the mayor and council.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
Both candidates running in the April 4, 2023, general election for Madison Common Council District 19 — John Guequierre (nonpartisan) and Kristen Slack (nonpartisan) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Guequierre:
“Lifting up our most disadvantaged neighbors lifts us all up and will make Madison more prosperous, healthy and livable for all. That’s why I’m passionate about affordable housing, climate action, good-paying jobs, and equal opportunity for all.”
Slack:
“My whole career has been focused on a range of social welfare issues, particularly poverty and child maltreatment. Public policies play an especially large role in the reduction of both…The other major focus of my research, teaching, and professional service work involves developing, implementing and evaluating a range of prevention strategies.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
Colorado is holding elections, including for municipal offices, on April 4, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of March 19, 2023. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.
Flor Alvidrez (nonpartisan) is running for Denver City Council District 7 and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Alvidrez responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“…I am dedicated to improving [our] air quality through being tough on corporate polluters which are disproportionately in low income communities, improving public transit, repairing our tree canopy and making it safe and comfortable to walk and bike around our city…Policy changes around “Area Median Income” for affordable housing and updating our permitting process and zoning codes [all] while maintaining the charm and character of neighborhoods is a priority when it comes to fighting displacement, keeping people housed and welcoming [new] Denverites!…Denver has been excellent at focusing on economic growth over the last decade. However we were not excellent at providing access to that economic growth to the people of Denver and particularly DPS students. We need to prioritize hiring and supporting local businesses and talent.”
Click here to read the rest of Alvidrez’s answers.
Abass Yaya Bamba (nonpartisan) is running for mayor of Denver and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Bamba responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Raising the standard of living for everyone [and] restoring people’s dignity and hope of the pursuit of happiness.”
Tyler Drum (nonpartisan) is running for Denver City Council District 8 and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Drum responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Denver is facing a homelessness and housing affordability [crisis], people are being forced out of Denver to find more affordable places to live, wages are not rising while costs are, and attainable unites are not being built in a quantity to keep up with the rising need. We need to focus on a housing first policy on homelessness [so] people can get their lives situated from a place of stability…Gentrification, we are developing luxury units that are unattainable to most people in Denver and not building the units we need to prevent people for being displaced in our city. In my district this is an impending disaster in East Colfax. We need to make sure new housing units are not displacing those already living in a community by controlling what developments get approved…Air quality, our proximity to the Suncor plant is a huge concern of mine. There have been many issues at the facility and we need to ensure the plant operates in a safe, clean, and efficient manner. Denver also has air quality issues based [in] oil and gas production and motor vehicles creating health-threatening ozone pollution.”
Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez (nonpartisan) is running for Denver City Council At-large and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Gonzales-Gutierrez responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Reliable public transport: Like many working people in Denver, Serena relied on public transportation to get to work. She understands the immense challenges that accompany depending on Denver’s unreliable, unsafe, and expensive transportation system…Dignified jobs that pay a living wage: Serena grew up working at the family restaurant and flower shop. Not that long ago, working people could support a family and save for the future. Now, it’s increasingly difficult to get ahead…Bold climate leadership: For generations, Serena’s ancestors fought to protect the land and water for future generations. She’s continued that work at the State Legislature, championing bills to regulate deadly air toxins in disproportionately-impacted areas like Globeville and Elyria-Swansea.”
Click here to read the rest of Gonzales-Gutierrez’s answers.
If you’re a Colorado candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.
Donna Deegan (D) and Daniel Davis (R) will advance to the May 16, 2023, runoff election for mayor of Jacksonville, Florida. On election night, with 94% of precincts reporting, Deegan led with 40% of the vote, followed by Davis with 25%. Since no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the top-two finishers advanced to the runoff.
Al Ferraro (R), who received 16% of the vote when the race was called, was the only other candidate to finish with more than 10%. Audrey Gibson (D), LeAnna Cumber (R), Frank Keasler (R), Omega Allen (I), and write-in Brian Griffin (I) also ran.
Deegan is a philanthropist, author, and local television news anchor. This was her first run for elected office. Deegan completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, where she listed “improvements in infrastructure, public health, housing affordability, and an inclusive economy,” advocating for women and families, and improving downtown Jacksonville as her key messages. Click here to read her full survey.
Davis is the chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives. His key messages included investing in public safety and improving public schools. Regarding his economic priorities, he wrote on his campaign website, “We can grow jobs AND prepare infrastructure. We can have success at the Port AND protect the river. We can create world class amenities for sports and entertainment opportunities for everyone AND perform the nuts and bolts of government.”
Incumbent Mayor Lenny Curry (R) is term-limited and could not run for re-election. Jacksonville has had a Republican mayor since Curry was elected in 2015, making it the most populous American city with a Republican mayor. In 2015, Curry defeated then-incumbent Alvin Brown (D) 51% to 49% in the May runoff election. The 2019 mayoral election was decided in the March general election, with Curry receiving 58% of the vote over Anna Lopez Brosche’s (R) 24%, Omega Allen’s (I) 11%, and Jimmy Hill’s (R) 8%.
As of March 2023, the partisan breakdown of the mayors of the 100 largest U.S. cities was 62 Democrats, 26 Republicans, three independents, and seven nonpartisans. Two mayors’ partisan affiliations were unknown. Based on 2020 population estimates, 76.1% of the population of the top 100 cities lived in cities with Democratic mayors, and 16.2% lived in cities with Republican mayors at the start of 2022.
Voters in East Baton Rouge Consolidated School District No. 1 will decide on four property tax renewal measures on March 25.
In total, approval of the four measures would renew property tax levies of 18.33 mills ($1,833 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed value) for 10 years:
Proposition 1: Renew a 6.50 mill property tax ($650 per $100,000 of assessed value) to fund public school operations
Proposition 2: Renew a 7.19 mill property tax ($719 per $100,000 of assessed value) to fund public school employees’ salaries and benefits
Proposition 3: Renew a 2.78 mill property tax ($278 per $100,000 of assessed value) to fund the employment of additional teachers for purposes of maintaining a lower pupil-to-teacher ratio
Proposition 4: Renew a 1.86 mill property tax ($186 per $100,000 of assessed value) to fund employees’ salaries and benefits
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System said without the renewed mill levies, the school district would receive 41% less property tax revenue over the next 10 years.
In Louisiana, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
El Paso voters will vote on a charter amendment, titled Proposition K, to declare “[reducing] the city’s contribution to climate change” and “[advancing] the cause of climate justice” of paramount importance on May 6, 2023.
The charter amendment would also:
require El Paso to use energy generated by renewable sources (defined as “energy generated without burning carbon or releasing greenhouse gasses”), with a goal of 100% by 2045;
require El Paso to use available efforts to covert El Paso Electric to municipal ownership;
prohibit the sale or transfer of water for fossil fuel-related activities outside of the city limits;
prohibit fees and fines “that limit the purchase, use, or generation of renewable energy;”
create the appointed position of Climate Director, who would be charged with fulfilling the amendment’s goals, creating an annual Solar Power Generation Plan, producing a climate impact statement for proposals before the El Paso City Council, and leading a new Climate Department;
have the City Manager and Climate Director collaborate on creating climate jobs, defined as jobs that help meet the amendment’s goals, and creating a Climate Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness Plan
create a five-member Climate Commission to make legislative recommendations to the El Paso City Council that would advance the amendment’s goals and investigate matters regarding the city’s implementation of the charter amendment.
In July 2022, organizers for Sunrise El Paso and Ground Game Texas submitted 36,360 signatures to get the initiative on the ballot. El Paso city officials verified that more than 20,000 valid signatures were submitted on Nov. 11, 2022, and qualified the initiative for the ballot.
Sunrise El Paso said, “We are working to bring green jobs to El Paso, build solar power, conserve water and protect its quality, address pollution head-on in our communities, fight against environmental racism and inequity, encourage a municipalized electric utility, and so much more through this people-led initiative.”
Opponents to the amendment include the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, El Paso Electric, and Borderplex Alliance.
El Paso Electric said, “While we share the same goals of an environmentally sustainable future for our region, we are embedding and evaluating all possible technology and generation to achieve these goals. We believe the (climate charter) proposition is too limited and does not include the wide array of customer solutions and technology to affordably achieve the agreed upon goals.”
The El Paso Chamber said, “Climate change is real, and we are committed to common-sense reforms that push for a comprehensive approach to the matter. However, we must do so in a way that considers the cost to the region – especially to those whose livelihood is dependent upon jobs that would no longer exist under the passage of the proposed amendment.”
Miguel Escoto, an organizer with Sunrise El Paso, said that the amendment would create jobs. Escoto said, “By law, the municipal government will be legally mandated to find climate jobs. This would increase the amount of jobs. It would increase the amount of job security.”
Election day in El Paso is on May 6, 2023. Voters will also decide on 10 other charter amendments.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) filed two lawsuits on March 14, 2023, to challenge a consent judgment that was agreed upon by Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin (R) and the organizers of the recall effort against Cantrell. The consent judgment, announced by Ardoin on March 1, 2023, revises the number of registered voters in the Orleans Parish down to 224,876 for the purpose of the recall effort. That lowers the requirement to put the recall election on the ballot to 44,975 signatures, down from 49,975.
Cantrell’s attorneys argue in the first lawsuit, filed with the Orleans Parish Civil District Court, that Ardoin lacked the authority to retroactively lower the signature threshold for a recall petition that had already been submitted. The lawsuit also states that Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Jennifer Medley, who approved the consent judgment, had a vested interest in the outcome of the litigation, based on reports that Medley was a signatory to the recall petition.
Cantrell also filed a petition with the 19th Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish seeking a Writ of Mandamus against Ardoin. If approved, that court order would direct Ardoin to show by what authority he negotiated the consent judgment.
The signature requirement for recalls in Louisiana is based on the number of people in the recall target’s district. For districts of 100,000 eligible voters or more, signatures equal to 20% of eligible voters are needed. Completed petitions must be submitted within 180 days of being filed with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Once signatures are handed in, the registrar of voters has 20 working days to certify the recall petition. If enough signatures are certified by the registrar of voters, the petition is forwarded to the governor who has 15 days to issue an election proclamation.
When petitioners began gathering signatures in August 2022, the signature requirement was expected to be 53,353. The number of required signatures was adjusted to 49,975 after a recalculation of registered voters in the parish. On February 16, recall organizers filed a lawsuit, contending that 30,000 voters have relocated from the parish and should be excluded from the voter rolls. With the consent judgment in place, the signature requirement for the recall effort against Cantrell was modified without the need to purge any names from the voter rolls.
Recall organizers said that more than 49,000 signatures were submitted by the deadline on February 22, 2023. Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters Sandra Wilson has until March 22, 2023, to verify the signatures.
The recall effort was initiated by New Orleans residents Eileen Carter and Belden Batiste. Petitions listed Cantrell’s “failure to put New Orleans first and execute responsibilities of the position” as the reason for recall. Carter has highlighted an increase in crime rates, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of interaction between Cantrell and city officials.
Cantrell responded to the recall effort during an interview with WGNO. She said, “I’ve chosen to do the hard things. That doesn’t mean that comes without the ability to please everyone. I cannot do that. I strive to but I cannot but I choose to do the hard things. I continue to make history around here.”
