JACKSONVILLE, FL — Tonight’s vote by the Jacksonville City Council to reject the nomination of Elizabeth Andersen to the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees is not only disappointing — it’s a shameful capitulation to partisan extremism and political theater.

Elizabeth Andersen is a licensed mental health counselor, a former Chair of the Duval County School Board, and the current CEO of OneJax — a nonprofit that has spent decades fostering understanding, respect, and unity across our diverse community. Her qualifications are indisputable. Her commitment to Jacksonville is unmatched. 

Yet instead of honoring those facts, the City Council has chosen to side with a smear campaign fueled by the Duval GOP and extremist groups like Moms for Liberty — groups more interested in weaponizing culture war politics than serving the public good. Their attacks on Ms. Andersen were personal, false, and dangerous — and the Council’s failure to reject those tactics outright is a failure of courage.  “At a time when Jacksonville needs steady, inclusive leadership, too many members of the City Council sent a chilling message to public servants across this city: if you lead with compassion, if you advocate for inclusion, you will be targeted, maligned, and slandered”, said Jacksonville Young Democrats President Millie Leeds.   

“The Duval County Democratic Party stands with Elizabeth Andersen,” said Duval Dems Chair Daniel Henry. “We thank her for her continued service to our city and for standing tall on her incredible record. Jacksonville deserves leaders like her — and we will not stop fighting to make sure those voices are not silenced.”