Republican Wyman Duggan is seeking re-election in this district, which covers neighborhoods along the east side of the St. Johns River in Duval County, from San Marco to Mandarin, as well as Ortega, NAS Jacksonville, and portions of the Westside between 103rd St. and the Duval-Clay line. He faces Democrat Benjamin Sandlin.
Because there is only one candidate from each party in the district, the race only appears on the general election ballot in November.
Recommended Videos
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 by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
Benjamin Sandlin
Occupation: I’m a part-time preschool teacher and part-time research assistant with the UNF physics department.
Age: 20
Family: I was raised by Thomas Edgar Sandlin Jr., and Rachel DaBelle Gaillard along with my older sister Julia. I’m the proud grandson of Whinette Sandlin, Thomas Edgar Sandlin Sr., Marlene Goodwin, Patricia Eskew Gaillard and John Frierson Gaillard.
Education: I previously studied at the University of Central Florida, I’m currently a student of Physics at the University of North Florida.
Political experience: During my time at UCF, I served as the co-director of the school’s chapter of March for Our Lives, I also served as a Student Senator for the College of Sciences. I’m currently an active member of JCAC’s campaign committee.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. The faltering of our public education system. As a state, we must commit public money to public schools only, not to funding private school vouchers for wealthy families to send their kids to elite private schools while lower-income families are left in the dust. The foundation of a good life is a quality education and the state has failed to guarantee that right to Florida children. Since DeSantis has taken office, I’ve witnessed both as a student and employee of Florida public schools countless educators flee the state left and right because they feel that our government cares more about making our classrooms into political battlefields than providing them with the tools they need to be successful in the important work that they do. We need to vastly raise teacher wages, and respect the intelligence and individuality of our students by not whitewashing their curriculum and giving them room to express themselves without a target on their back.
2. Labor rights. The republican supermajority has made it clear they are no friend of the working class. Their disastrous labor policies have robbed workers of the benefits they deserve and have left labor unions hanging by a thread unable to provide for their members. In the wake of heat records being broken year after year, the Florida legislature passed a law that said that municipalities can’t demand that agricultural workers be given water breaks. These policies have far crossed the line from just being wrong to being flat-out inhumane. We need to fight for our workers to receive a living wage and fair and safe working conditions, and any company that denies their workers basic rights needs to be heavily punished. This means fighting to protect workers’ right to organize and demand better conditions for themselves and giving unions the freedom to provide for their members.
3. The housing crisis. Florida has become an epicenter for foreign companies and investors to buy residential properties and ransom them back for more than their worth. As a result, rent has skyrocketed, insurance rates are out of control, and countless people have no hope of owning a home any time soon. Our current legislature cares more about vilifying homelessness than addressing access growing further out of reach for so many Floridians. This cruelty needs to stop. We need to place a ban on corporations buying residential property, invest in converting empty units into affordable housing, and cap the cost of rent to not exceed 25% of the average monthly income of the surrounding area.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
It’s not about what my opponent can’t do but what he won’t do. He’s a puppet to the Governor’s authoritarian agenda and I can tell you now he doesn’t plan to be anything else. I’m not beholden to any politician, corporation, or special interest and I sadly can’t say the same for the current office holder. I’m in this race to be able to deliver for the people of our community, I am indebted only to them.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope the end of my term is marked with more Floridians housed, with better wages, better jobs, and their children with quality education at their disposal and a cleaner environment to grow in. I hope I’m remembered for being an open ear, and an active aid to anyone who comes into my office with any concerns, questions, or comments. That’s the service the people of Jacksonville deserve.
Campaign website: benjaminsandlinforflorida.com
Campaign social media: Facebook |X
Wyman Duggan
Occupation: Attorney at Rogers Towers, PA
Age: 55
Family: Married for 30 years, three adult children
Education: B.A. and J.D.
Political experience: Florida House of Representatives, 2018-current
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Inflation/affordability: I will continue to support measures the State can take to keep taxes and costs low for individuals and small businesses, such as forgoing public higher education tuition increases and fully funding Bright Futures, reducing the Business Rent Tax, authorizing a vote on a constitutional amendment to annually increase the homestead exemption on non-school taxes based on inflation, providing targeted sales tax holidays, and lowering regulatory burdens on veterans.
2. Property insurance: I will continue to support measures to lower insurance rates, such as funding the My Safe Florida Home program, proposing a constitutional amendment to reduce the percentage by which commercial and non-homestead residential property values may be annually increased, and tightening insurer accountability standards.
3. Crime/public safety: I will continue to support efforts to keep our community safe, such as making Florida the most law enforcement-friendly state in the nation, increasing criminal penalties against organized retail theft and fentanyl distribution, and enhancing the independent budgetary authority of Sheriff Waters.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have been doing the job for six years, working with local and regional leaders in government and the private sector to understand their policy and funding needs, and delivering the legislative resources to address them. I will be well-positioned in House Leadership to do so even more effectively in the next two years.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Serving our community faithfully and effectively.
Campaign website: https://wymanduggan.com/
Campaign social media: (None provided)