As incumbent Democrat Angie Nixon is running for the U.S. Senate, it’s an open race for House District 13 this year. The district covers most of Northwest Jacksonville and the near Westside, west of I-95, north of 103rd Street, east of Chaffee Road and McGirts Creek. Two Democrats will be on the ballot for their party’s August primary. No Republicans are in the race, but a write-in candidate did qualify for the general election. That means the race will not become a Universal Primary Contest, and the Democratic primary will remain closed. The winner of the primary will face only the write-in opponent in the general election.
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.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES |
Audrey Gibson
Occupation: Consultant
Age: (No response)
Family: 3 adult children with families
Education: Bachelor’s- Criminology-Florida State University Master’s -Public Administration University of North Florida
Political experience: The Florida Legislature
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
An increase in senior migration to Florida is already underway we need to be looking now at data and locale destination and how to close the shortage of nurses that currently exists given we have a nursing and healthcare providers shortage. Property insurance rates. My Safe Florida Home could potentially be expanded by changing criteria to make more homeowners eligible thus reducing claims exposure.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
First, I care about the everyday lives of individuals and families and have deep community engagement, doing “field trips” visiting schools, nursing homes, senior centers, workplaces, factories, neighborhood meetings, to go to ‘see about’ needs and concerns and the best manner to address ways to mitigate improvement and outcomes. I have been continually engaged in the needs of community and activism from saving libraries and trees to saving to continues before ever being elected and have continued to due so.
I have strategic processes, including reading bills, analyses, and other methods to bring about new ideas or cure wrongs. I know the appropriation process and how bring home funds for community needs understanding the total combined processes, and engaging with colleagues particularly if they have what I call similarly situated districts.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
All the things mentioned above to include improving health outcomes for the African community whose population most often has higher rates of occurrence of health issues and less early access to address to them. equity and opportunity and connected rail that I believe will help create it. I love Amtrak too for longer trips.
Campaign website: (None given)
Campaign social media: Facebook
Leslie Jean-Bart
Occupation: Attorney
Age: 53
Family: I have been married to Rodney for 26 years. We have a daughter who is 22 years old and enrolled at Florida International University.
Education: 1994 - B.S. in Biology with minor in Chemistry from the University of Miami
1997 - J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law
Political experience: I have not previously held office.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Affordability and Economic Opportunity
Floridians are working harder than ever, but too many still can’t afford housing, insurance, groceries, childcare, or healthcare. I’ll focus on lowering the cost of living, supporting good-paying jobs, strengthening small businesses, and making sure economic growth benefits working families—not just the well-connected.
2. Healthcare Access and Affordability
Healthcare should never be a luxury. I’ll fight to expand access to affordable healthcare, improve maternal and mental health services, increase access to dental care and preventive care, and make sure working families can get the care they need before small problems become medical emergencies.
3. Education and Preparing Florida’s Future
Every child deserves a quality education regardless of their ZIP code. That starts with early childhood education, continues through strong public schools, supporting teachers, and preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow through workforce development and technology education.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have nearly 30 years of experience as a civil rights and personal injury attorney helping everyday people with a crisis they have experienced. I have a track record of finding solutions to problems. I focus on results and how we can improve our communities.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope people remember me as someone focused on positive change in the community. I would like for others to be able to look back and say “District 13 is better as a result of Leslie’s representation.”
Campaign website: www.voteforleslie.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
A write-in candidate, Brice Gaillard, qualified for the general election. The names of write-in candidates do not appear on the ballot, though there will be a line for a write-in.