Democrat Reggie Gaffney Jr. and Republican Charles Barr got the most votes in a six-way in a special August election for Jacksonville City Council District 7 and will face off in November’s second election -- essentially a runoff.
The district, which stretches from Downtown and the Eastside north to the Nassau County line, is open because Reggie Gaffney Sr. resigned from the council to run for Florida Senate.
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(Don’t be confused when reading through the candidates below: Reggie Gaffney Jr. is running for the seat his father is leaving.)
While the candidates list their parties, they all appear on the same ballot as city elections are unitary -- open to all voters in the district. Since neither candidate earned more than 50% of the vote in August, the top two advanced to the November general election. (A second council special election -- District 9 -- was settled in the primary.)
The winners of the council special elections will fill the seat through next June and need to run again next spring to earn a full, four-year term on City Council.
News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are published exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| CANDIDATES |
Charles M. Barr
Party affiliation*: Republican
Occupation: Maintenance/Process Controls Programmer
Age: 57
Your family: Tanya-wife, Brandon, Brittany, Steven, Taylor (children)
Education: HS
Political experience: none previous/grass roots
What do you see as the top three issues you’ll likely face while holding this office?
I want to help our District since we have been overlooked for so long.
- Repair streets and flooding
- Work with JSO to increase safety including a team that will go door to door meeting people and gaining trust that we must have.
- Provide activities for our children; safer parks and community centers (they have disappeared throughout our district)
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
- I am not the status quo that has given years of broken promises. I have lived in the community most all of my life and see the issues that need addressed. I have walked for months meeting folks in the entire district and know what is needed. They tell me I am the only one they have seen. Our current CC has not helped the community and the people want change for that type leadership.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
That I stayed true to my promise:1.I will answer/return callsThese are three things that we have not had in decades in our district.
2.I will go to the person’s home or business if there is an issue
3.I will hold regular meetings throughout the district to stay and keep informed.4. That I fought to bring our district up to the standards that other parts of the city seem to enjoy. I will be the voice for “all” citizens of the Northside “District 7″.
Campaign website: barrforjax.com
Campaign’s social media site(s): Facebook - barrforjax
Reggie Gaffney Jr.
Party affiliation*: Democrat
Occupation: Vice President - Community Rehabilitation Center
Age: 36
Your family: Johnny Gaffney, Reggie Gaffney
Education: Masters in Business Administration
Political experience: Community service, but I have not held prior office.
What do you see as the top three issues you’ll likely face while holding this office?
- Inflation: Individuals living on the Northside struggle to make ends meet. Global conditions have caused the cost of gas, groceries, and other life essentials to go through the roof.
- Affordable Housing: Rent is through the roof, mortgage interest rates have risen since last year, and it is more challenging every day for a middle or low-income family to just keep a roof over their head.
- Crime: Crime is an enormous issue in our City. We need to keep this at the front of our efforts in local government. We need to make sure kids have a safe place to raise their families!
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
- I have been in this community for the last 15 years meeting with people in their homes, in their neighborhoods, and on their streets. Strong faith, strong communities, and strong buildings share one thing. They all have a strong foundation. The foundation of my campaign is about people, built from the bottom up. Most candidates in the race don’t have the unique experience I have working in our community.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
- At the end of the day, the best I can do and the most I can hope for is to have improved the life of someone else. Whether that looks like an after-school program, lower crime rates, or better infrastructure - that is what matters.
Campaign website: www.Reggie4Seven.com
Campaign’s social media site(s): facebook.com/reggie4seven
* Candidates’ party affiliation is shown, but all appear on the same ballot for all voters.