City Council Candidate's Campaign Connects Wellness With Smarter City Planning
Jacksonville native April Ethridge announces her candidacy for City Council with a focus on how local government decisions shape community health. Her campaign emphasizes that wellness is not only personal—it is political, rooted in policy choices that affect air quality, green space, infrastructure and safety.
Ethridge, an Army veteran and longtime advocate for families and small businesses, believes city planning must prioritize access to clean air, safe streets and natural environments. “Healing starts where we live,” she says. “When sidewalks are broken or parks are neglected, the impacts go beyond convenience—they affect our physical and mental health.”
Her platform calls for investing in neighborhood infrastructure, preserving green space and ensuring equitable development. She argues that decisions such as approving construction near flood zones or allowing pesticide use near schools have long-term consequences for residents’ well-being.
“Your zip code should not determine your quality of life,” Ethridge says. “City leaders must plan with health and equity in mind, not just growth.”
By centering public health in policy conversations, Ethridge aims to engage residents in building a safer, more resilient Jacksonville. Her campaign invites voters to consider how everyday decisions—streetlights, trees, public spaces—create the foundation for thriving communities.
Approved by April Ethridge, Republican Candidate for City Council At-Large Group 4. For more information, visit AprilForJax.com.