Democrat Tracye Polson and Republican Nick Howland are headed for a Feb. 22 runoff in the special election to fill the Jacksonville City Council seat vacated by the late Tommy Hazouri.
In the Dec. 7 race between four candidates, unofficial results from the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office show Polson at 36.72%; Howland,
35.94%; Democrat James C. “Coach” Jacobs, 13.68%; and Republican Howdy Russell, 13.66%.
Because no candidate received 50% plus 1 vote, a runoff of the top two finishers is required by city law.
The results are with all 199 precincts reporting and 80,693 votes cast. Turnout is an estimated 12.59%.
The vote totals are Polson with 29,631; Howland, 29,003; Jacobs, 11,035; and Russell 11,024.
Howland, 48, is a U.S. Navy veteran and has not previously run for elected office, according to Daily Record news partner News4Jax.com.
Polson, 62, is a licensed clinical social worker who was defeated in the 2018 Florida House District 15 race by Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville.
Russell is co-owner and operator of the Jumpin’ Jax House of Food.
According to News4Jax, Jacobs is an athletic coach and before and aftercare program director.
The Feb. 22 runoff will decide who fills the seat vacated by Hazouri, the 76-year-old Democrat who died Sept. 11 of complications related to his lung transplant surgery.
The winner will serve the remainder of Hazouri’s term, which ends June 30, 2023, and will have to run for reelection that year should they wish to continue on Council.