Political opponents need to stop engaging in character assassination.
Take Dean Black, the president of the Duval County Republican Party. He accused Tracye Polson, who is currently running for a Jacksonville City Council seat, of being a Nancy Pelosi “wannabe.”
That is far from the truth.
Has Mr. Black ever met and talked to Trayce Polson about her concerns and interests for Duval County? I have. I reached out to Tracye Polson to discuss issues concerning Duval County over several coffees and even having breakfast, and lunch with her. She is thoughtful and passionate about making Jacksonville a better place to live and work.
We don’t agree on all the issues, but Tracye brings a much-needed different perspective to the table, much like former Mayor Tommy Hazouri, who passed away earlier this year, did. She cares greatly about our people and the quality of life they live, including better playgrounds and more engagement of all the citizens. Debates are essential to the democratic process and only listening to our respective parties’ echo chambers does not allow that. Closing our ears and minds has only isolated and divided our county, state, and country, It must stop now.
Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kansas, and current U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WV, both said it best. When asked if they were Republican or Democrat, they both responded that they were Americans first. Let’s follow their examples and start moving in the right direction.
Matt Schellenberg was first elected to the Jacksonville City Council back in 2011 and won a second term in 2015. He was term-limited in 2019.
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