John Peyton (US politician)

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John Peyton (born July 28, 1964) is a politician of the Republican Party who has served as mayor of Jacksonville, Florida since July 1, 2003. He is the second Republican mayor of the city to be elected 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 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; other 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 Jacksonville physician Kathryn Pearson shortly after he took office. They have two sons, John Conner, born in 2005, and Kent Thomas, born in 2007. Peyton is a graduate of Mercer University and the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program.