Jacksonville City Councilman Michael Boylan bucked historical trends and won re-election as Mandarin’s representative in City Hall, beating back outsider Tom Harris.
Mandarin has long held a reputation for kicking out incumbents. Only Dick Kravitz, who served 12 years on the council, and Matt Schellenberg, who served eight years, have served two full terms representing Mandarin since the city and county government consolidated 56 years ago.
Boylan, the former general manager of the WJCT public radio and TV station, first won the District 6 council seat four years ago. At the time, he had beaten the candidate backed by Mayor Lenny Curry, but Boylan then served as an ally to the mayor’s administration for the last four years.
Harris, the area manager of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Homes, pitched himself as an outsider who would fight for Mandarin’s interests, criticizing Boylan for the councilman’s focus on other neighborhoods.
Boylan defended himself, saying that collaboration and working alongside other neighborhoods would benefit Mandarin.
“Beyond meeting the needs of my constituents as my first priority, I have proven to be a council member who knows the importance of collaboration in order to get things done with an eye to always looking forward,” Boylan told the Tributary before the election.
Read More: Jacksonville City Council District 6: Michael Boylan, Tom Harris battle for Mandarin votes