John Peyton (US politician)

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John Peyton

John Peyton (born July 28, 1964) is a politician of the Republican Party, serving as mayor of Jacksonville, Florida since July 1, 2003. He is only the second Republican mayor of the city since 1888. Elected at 38, he is one of the youngest mayors currently serving a city in Florida or any of the Southern United States. Peyton survived a crowded Republican primary and defeated the county's Democratic sheriff, Nat Glover, for the seat in a race (largely self funded) that was the most expensive in Jacksonville history in 2003. In 2007, Peyton defeated community activist Jackie Brown by a margin over 50% to win a second term. Priorities include solidification of the River Accord, Seeds of Change, and his popular literacy program.

His family's company, Gate Petroleum, is one of the largest privately held companies in the state and the family has made a considerable fortune buying and selling land to both the state and federal governments, as well as owning several resorts, including Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. Also connected to Gate is Florida Rock, which specializes in soil and aggregate. Prior to his election as mayor, Peyton served on the board of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. His tenure was not without controversy; he faced a very substantial uproar in the community when he bypassed the organization's #2 man, an African American, to hire an outsider to run the Authority – a move that brought charges of racism against Peyton and the board. Less controversial positions included managing his family's company and serving as chairman for the Jacksonville Symphony Association and Greenscape of Jacksonville.

One of Peyton's achievements during his time in office has been RALLY Jacksonville!, an early literacy program aimed at four-year-olds. The program has served as a model for similar programs in other cities. A long-time bachelor, Peyton became engaged during his campaign and married Dr. Kathryn Pearson, a Jacksonville physician, shortly after he took office. They have one son, John Conner, born in 2005. Peyton is a graduate of Mercer University and the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program.