Terrance Freeman, a Republican member of the Jacksonville City Council, is running for Florida House of Representatives District 12 in the 2026 general election.

Freeman faces Democrat Benjamin Frierson Sandlin, whom we profiled in a companion article. Freeman is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

Freeman said on his campaign website that he wants to focus on affordability, jobs and public safety. He said he delivered "the first property tax cut in a decade" while on the city council and pledged to keep working to reduce property taxes in Tallahassee, according to his campaign site.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: Florida House of Representatives, District 12
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in physical education, University of North Florida, 2003; master's degree in exercise science and health promotions, PennWest California, 2008; doctorate in education administration, Walden University, 2019 (according to BallotReady)
  • Family background: Freeman said on his campaign website that he is the son of an Army veteran and Baptist minister, and that his mother was a career social worker

Experience and public service

Governor Rick Scott appointed Freeman to Jacksonville City Council District 10 in 2018, according to Freeman's campaign website. He went on to serve as an at-large council member for Group 1 from 2019 through 2026, according to Ballotpedia.

Freeman said he held all five of Jacksonville's legislative branch roles, Jacksonville Today reported. Those roles are executive council assistant, district council member, at-large council member, council vice president and council president. He served as council vice president in 2021 and council president from 2022 to 2023, according to his campaign site.

Before joining the council, Freeman worked as principal of student affairs at Eagle's View Academy from 2003 to 2014 and as political affairs manager at JAX Chamber from 2014 to 2015, according to BallotReady. He also served as executive city council assistant from 2015 to 2017. He is a senior program manager at Miller Electric Company, according to BallotReady.

Jacksonville Today also reported that Freeman took a three-month hiatus from the city council in 2024 to undergo treatment for prostate cancer.

On the issues

Freeman listed three priorities in a News4JAX voter's guide: affordability, jobs and public safety.

Affordability and property taxes: Freeman said on his campaign website that he wants to cut property taxes further, eliminate wasteful fees and regulations, and support first responders and working families.

Jobs: Freeman said he wants to boost small businesses and remove barriers that prevent them from growing, according to the News4JAX voter's guide.

Public safety: Freeman said he will always lead in supporting first responders, according to the News4JAX voter's guide.

Government accountability: Freeman said on his campaign website that he has worked to cut unnecessary spending and improve efficiency, and that he will continue working to eliminate waste and protect taxpayers in Tallahassee.

Immigration: Freeman said on his campaign website that he supports securing the border, enforcing existing immigration laws and ensuring state and local law enforcement have the tools to keep Floridians safe.

Endorsements

Freeman has received endorsements from law enforcement leaders and a statewide business group, according to Florida Politics.

  • Randy Reaves, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30
  • T.K. Waters, Duval County Sheriff's Office
  • Brewster Bevis, Associated Industries of Florida

Jacksonville Today reported that Freeman plans to leave the city council in November, which will trigger a special election for his at-large seat.