Mone' Holder won more than 50% of the vote in a special election for Jacksonville City Counciland will take office in time for her to cast votes on next year's city budget as Democrats flipped one of five at-large council seats held by Republicans.
Holder, who ran on an "Affordability First" message, defeated Republican candidate Deborah Wesley in what was an early test of the spring 2027 city election when voters will decide races for mayor and all 19 council seats.
If no candidate went over 50% in the first election on Aug. 18, the top two vote-getters would have squared off in November. But Holder's margin of victory gave her the victory outright and she will be able to take office after the election is certified which will be in about 10 days.
The election was a three-way race among Holder, Wesley and Addison "Liberty" Patrick, a Libertarian.
The city called the special election to fill out the remainder of City Council member Terrance Freeman's term. He is running for the state House of Representatives and will continue serving on City Council until a winner emerges to take the seat.
Holder was helped by Jacksonville attorney Steve Pajcic contributing $510,000 to Jacksonville Together, a political committee supporting her.
She said she would focus on "restoring integrity" to City Council and putting the focus on investing in neighborhoods.
Asked during the campaign how she would vote on next year's budget, she said it must "sustain funding levels for our parks, libraries, and senior services."
"Last year, council members tried to cut meals-on-wheels and infant mortality programs, and we can't allow that," Holder said. "What we absolutely need is to create the housing trust that Mayor (Donna) Deegan is proposing. Young people and families today cannot afford housing, and if we want residents to have extra change in their pocket to spend in our local businesses, we need real solutions for housing. "
Holder is chief advocacy and political officer for Florida Rising, a nonprofit organization that describes itself as a "people-powered organization made up of members advancing economic and racial justice across Florida."
She is a member of the Jacksonville Planning Commission since 2023 and serves as its chair. She has served on the boards of Read USA and The ScienceSis Foundation.
"I'm excited to work with Mone' and keep Jacksonville's momentum going," Mayor Donna Deegan said after the election results were tallied. "She took the time to sit down with me to talk about affordability and those kitchen table issues so important to our community and that's the message she carried throughout her campaign. She'll be a voice for every person and a trusted partner on City Council."
Wesley emphasized public safety in her campaign. She retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office after moving up the ranks over a 35-year career to sergeant, lieutenant, internal affairs investigator and then commander on Sheriff T.K. Waters' staff, where she oversaw the department of corrections.
Waters endorsed her campaign when she entered the race in 2025.
Patrick is regional representative for a five-county area of the Libertarian Party of Florida and a former chair of the Duval County Libertarian Party.
She ran on a campaign message of "representation that doesn't play favorites" and said she would work across party lines.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Democrat Mone' Holder wins Jacksonville City Council special election
