The current District 2 commissioner, Marihelen Wheeler, is not seeking re-election this year. Tina Certain won a four-way Democratic primary in August. Since those candidates were the only ones who qualified for the race, the Democratic primary was opened to all voters, and as the winner of the primary, Certain is elected to the office.
News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
Tina Certain
Occupation: Certified Management Accountant; former Gainesville Regional Utilities finance professional; Alachua County School Board Member.
Age: 58
Family: Married, two young adult children
Education: Graduate of Gainesville High School, Santa Fe College, and the University of Florida with a BS in Accounting.
Political experience: Eight years serving on the Alachua County School Board.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The biggest issues in this race are affordability, responsible growth, and protecting what makes Alachua County such a special place to call home. After eight years on the School Board, I’ve seen firsthand that when families struggle to afford housing, get to work, or make ends meet, it affects every part of our community. We need to expand affordable housing, invest in transportation and good-paying jobs, make sure infrastructure keeps pace with growth, and protect our water, conservation lands, and neighborhoods so Alachua County remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring something unique to this race: both deep experience inside public systems and a proven record of elected leadership. After 23 years of governmental accounting experience at Gainesville Regional Utilities and eight years serving on the Alachua County School Board and as a statutory board member of the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, I’ve learned how to balance budgets, make difficult decisions in public, and remain accountable to the people I serve. I’m rooted here, tested in public, and ready to deliver results by lowering costs, planning growth and infrastructure together, and protecting what makes Alachua County home.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I want to be remembered for helping make Alachua County a place where working families can afford to live, where growth is planned responsibly, and where we protected the natural resources and neighborhoods that make our community special. Most of all, I want people to know I led with integrity, transparency, and a willingness to speak up for the people and communities I was elected to serve.
Campaign website: www.tinacertain.com
Campaign social media: Facebook