Name: Randy Poitevent DeFoor
Family: Husband J. Allison DeFoor, 3 biological children: Mac, Will and Anne Bayley Shoemaker; 3 step children: Missy DeFoor, Kate DeLoach and James DeFoor, 2 grandchildren
Occupation: Senior Vice President, National Agency Counsel, Fidelity National Financial
Political/Government experience: I have been appointed to FSCJ, former chair, JIA-CRA, current chair, and appointed to formerly the JEDC
Years lived in Jacksonville: For most of my life
Campaign website: randydefoor.com
Why did you decide to run for office: I chose to run for City Council after realizing I had worked so hard to educate my children for another city's benefit. This is a situation that many families in this city are facing as well. We need to fight for this city because we want our children to be able to come back home but we have to give them something to come back home to.
What is the biggest problem facing Jacksonville as a city overall, and how specifically would seek to address that: Public Safety is the biggest issue facing our city as a whole. I would focus on ways the City can work with the Sheriff and the State Attorney to provide the resources they need. We should also focus on prevention and intervention programs that have shown promise in other cities, including projects like the Criminal Mental Health Project implemented in Miami-Dade County.
What makes your constituents unique, and how would that influence your time in office: I have grown up in this community and it would be an honor to serve the community that raised me. The residents of District 14 have a strong sense of community and I would focus on serving them in this office. Each neighborhood in this district has their own concerns, and I will be responsive to them if they trust me with their vote.
What would be your main budget priority for the upcoming fiscal year: My main budget priority would be related to public safety. It will include ensuring that our Sheriff and State Attorney have adequate funding to accomplish their goals and we provide funding for crime prevention and intervention programs that have shown promise and measurable results.
How do you define what you hope Jacksonville will be ten years from now: It is my hope that Jacksonville will be a city that our children are proud to call home. A city that provides them career opportunities, educational opportunities and a safe place to lay their head at night regardless of their zip code.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: WOKV asked all candidates in a race to answer the same questions, and the answers here are their unedited responses. WOKV has not independently verified information in these answers, nor is WOKV endorsing any candidates.