When Councilman Garrett Dennis resigned to run for a seat in the Florida Legislature, three candidates signed up to run in a special August election for District 9, Jacksonville City Council. Democrat Tyrona Clark-Murray received 53% of the vote and was elected to fill the seat through next June. She must run for re-election next spring to win a full four-year term.
This odd-shaped district includes the area west of I-95 and east of Edgewood Avenue north of Interstate 10 to just beyond Kings Road. The district also includes a narrow strip south of I-10 west of Edgewood Avenue and south to Interstate 295.
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Scroll down to read Clark-Murray’s responses to a News4Jax candidate questionnaire to learn about her background and views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses in her own words.
| CANDIDATES |
Tyrona Clark-Murray
Party affiliation*: Democrat
Occupation: Teacher
Age: 53
Your family: I am the mother of two adult children. Also, I have one grandchild.
Education: I have a BA in English Literature from Florida A&M University; a Masters in Education from the University of North Florida; I am currently seeking a Paralegal Certification at FSCJ
Political experience: This is my first time running for office.
What do you see as the top three issues you’ll likely face while holding this office?
- Afforable Housing and rent increases
- Crime
- Sewer and Drainage issues
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
- The primary difference between me and my opponents is experience in governmental matters. I have been volunteering since 2016 with the Northwest Citizens Planning Advisory Committee, NWCPAC to make recommendations to City Council for proposed ordinances such as placing the half-cent sales tax for local schools on the ballot. In addition to that measure, I have appeared before the Planning Commission and Land Use and Zoning, LUZ, on the behalf of the neighborhoods represented by the NWCPAC to stop zoning applications that may have a negative impact on the community. Furthermore, I have chaired the Capital Improvement Program Sub-committee with the NWCPAC. My experience leading this sub-committee allows me to understand the CIP process from the neighborhood to the City Council level. Lastly, I serve as the Vice-Chairman of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Committee, NFTPO CAC. In this position, I listen to State proposals to build, redesign, and resurface state roads in Clay, Duval, St. Johns and Nassau counties. Serving in these areas has afforded me an understanding of muncipal procedures and legislation that will allow me to start helping the resident of District 9 on day 1.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
- I was born the same year Consolidation occurred in Jacksonville.Many promises were made in exchange for agreeing to consolidate. Unfortunately, many of those promises have not been filled. For example many neighborhoods in District 9 do not have adequate drainage. I hope to be the council member who helped to make those promises a reality.
Campaign website: voteclarkmurray.com
Campaign’s social media site(s): Facebook - facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077427317845
* Candidate’s party affiliation is shown, but all appeared on the same ballot for all voters in the district.