City Council District 10

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.Each of the city's 14 districts is represented by its own council member elected by voters in that district. Each candidates' party affiliation is listed on the ballot, but the city holds unitary elections, so Duval County registered voters of any party can vote for any candidate. 

With five candidates in the March election, no one reached the 50% threshold to be elected without a runoff. The two with the most votes in the first election face off in this district that covers par of Northwest Jacksonville and stretches south along Interstate 295 almost to the Clay County line.

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Candidates for Jacksonville City Council District 10

WATCH: Kent Justice interviews Brenda Priestly Jackson and Celeste Mills

News4Jax asks each candidate for office a uniform set of questions hoping to get beyond campaign statements or media filters to help voters decide which candidate they will support. Below are the candidates' verbatim responses.


Celestine Mills

Party affiliation: Democrat

Age: 56

Candidate's family: Ranard Ross son, Malachi Ross- grandson, Elijah Ross - grandson

Occupation: Prosthetc Coordinator

Education: BS- Business Managment

Political experience: No, I do not have any political experience. I did run for office in 2015 for City Council District 10., I was upsuring by the incumbent. I have spent the past 4 year preparing for this seat

What do you see as the top three issues in this race?

Infrastructure Repair (Septic Tank Removal and Replacement) – Septic tanks inhibit economic development throughout the district.
Poverty – Poverty breeds crime, poor education, lack of affordable housing, predatory lending institutions, food deserts, etc.
Economic Development – There is an interconnection with all three issues. The deteriorating infrastructure inhibits job development in terms of private-public partnerships which compounds poverty (limited service industry minimum-wage employment opportunities).

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Although I have yet to hold an elected office, I have far more experience than everyone else (combined) running for the District Ten Office. I have prepped for this elected position for the past six years starting in 2012-2014 with my first run. Since then, for the past four years 2015 – 2019, I have been a regular at bi-weekly City Council Meetings, CPAC Meetings, Town Hall Meetings, Special Interest Meetings, Sheriff's Advisory Council Meetings, and other meetings and conferences involving the City as well as District Ten. None of the other candidates can match my dedication and "apprenticeship" for City Councilperson for District Ten

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
After serving two terms representing the citizens of District Ten, I would hope to be remembered for my dedication, tenacity, integrity, honesty, and accountability. Further, I would like to be remembered for delivering much needed infrastructure repairs, and economic entities (public-private partnerships, and affordable housing.

Campaign website: www.voteforcelestinemills.com
Social media: Twitter


Brenda Priestly JacksonBrenda Priestly Jackson 

Party affiliation: Democratic Party

Age: 52

Candidate's family: DeAndre Jackson (spouse, co-parent and soulmate), Imani (oldest and older daughter), Malik (older son), Kalif (younger son), and Kya (youngest and younger daughter. I am the daughter of the late Frank B. and Brenda A. Priestly and the sister of D'Wayne Priestly (Cynthia) and Cassius Priestly (Jackie), the niece of Rodney L. and the late Ann Hurst and Mason and Marva Salary, goddaughter to Mrs. Dorothy Williams and the late Samuel Williams, auntie, cousin, sister-friend and family of believers.

Occupation: Attorney and Supplemental Education Provider

Education: Jean Ribault H.S. (diploma), Grambling State Univeristy (B.A. English), University of Florida-College of Law (J.D.)

Political experience: I served as the District 4 school board member on the Duval County School Board from 2002-2010 and the SGA President (1988-1989) and SGA Vice-President (1987-1988) at Grambling State University

What do you see as the top three issues in this race?
(No response)

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am committed to serving my neighbors and our city by focusing on education, economic opportunities and quality of life issues. Education is the transformative asset that can be passed on to each young person and older neighbor. A good education will allow our neighbors to have the knowledge and the skills necessary to get a job with better than a living wage and provide for the needs of their family (housing, food, clothing, other essentials and extras) and themselves. Further education and good jobs for most will improve the quality of life for each of us in Jacksonville and reduce crime that originates in loss economic opportunities and dreams not realised.
I can not assess the qualifications of others running for office.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembeed for serving our neighbors and improving the quality of life in measurable ways for District 10 neighbors and our city. Also, I hope the level of neighbor and community engagement in District 10 is sustained and continues through future growth and inclusion.

Campaign website: brendafordistrict10.com
Social media:  We are still setting up our campaign Facebook page.