The current District 2 commissioner, Marihelen Wheeler, is not seeking re-election this year. Four Democrats are seeking the seat. As there are no other candidates in the race, it becomes a Universal Primary Contest and the August primary will be open to all voters in the district.
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 CANDIDATES |
Donna Bradbrook
Campaign website: www.donnabradbrook.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
The Democratic candidate has not responded to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.
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
Charlie Jackson
Occupation: Retired and Consulting
Age: 68
Family: Yes, Married to Carolyn Jackson with two kids.
Education: Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Industrial Technology @ Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Florida - 1979
Master Degree in Administration and Supervision @ North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, North Carolina
Political experience: Candidate for County Commission in 2022
Vice President, Senior Class 1979 Florida A&M University
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1) Restoring Trust and Accountability in County Government by Putting People First. 2) Protecting Citizens and 3) Protecting Tax Payer’s Money. With my platform, I am responding to this question by implementing my 3Ps. First, putting people first. With putting people first, I would implement a) fully funding programs directly supporting citizens b) enhance benefits for veterans, caregivers and first responders, c) create jobs for skilled and unskilled workers, d) connect public transportation throughout Alachua County into rural and low income areas, e) develop a Master Growth Plan creating a balance in eastern and western portions in Alachua County. Secondly, Protecting Citizens by providing Safe Communities through creating safe activity centers for our youth and elderly citizens, fixing unsafe roads and inviting gun owners to help with reducing Gun-related incidents associated with stolen guns and thirdly, Protecting Taxpayer’s Money and Investments by addressing high property taxes while eliminating non-value services provided by County Government.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have a passion for people and want to secure a future for citizens in Alachua County. I am the only candidate seeking this office with over 40 years of proven leadership in the military, and in both the private and public sector. I grew up on a farm in north Florida in a family of 11 siblings so I value investing in people and ensuring that their voices are heard. I am a father, grand father, husband and veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in the 1991 Gulf War. In 1992 while serving in the military and stationed at Fort Stewart Georgia, as the Movement Control Officer in the 24th Infantry Division, I coordinated the deployment of military aircrafts, vehicles and medical personnel supporting FEMA and various agencies with the State of Florida providing needy families with food, water and much needed medical supplies to citizens in south Florida during Hurricane Andrews. No other candidate has this level of experience bringing multiple agencies (Federal, state and local) together during a disaster.
While stationed at the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) at Scott Air Force in Illinois, I worked with the Strategic Planning Department as a Strategic Planner, I worked with developing near, and long term strategic plans providing global visibility over all planes, ships and the movement of personnel worldwide. With this experience, I bring to voters the ability to build a SMART long term Growth plan for Alachua County creating a balance between eastern and western portions in Alachua County. No other candidate for Alachua County Commission, District #2 has strategic planning experience
I am the only candidate for Alachua County Commission with over 21 years of employment with Alachua County Board of County Commission whereby reaching the Senior Service level before retirement. During my employment with Alachua County, I have completed over 300 capital improvement projects exceeding $140M, all completed on time and under budget. I have effectively managed the construction of the Alachua County’s $18M Criminal Courthouse. Managed the design and construction of Florida’s FIRST GREEN Fire Rescue Station in Gainesville, Florida. I bring to the voters with over 20 years of implementing successful Alachua County’s solar, energy reduction and water conversation initiatives saving Alachua County Government $M in utilities cost. No other candidate has any experience with implementing energy reduction and water conversation projects. I have experience providing food, water and safe shelters for citizens in Alachua County during hurricanes:
Charley - Aug 2004
Jean - Sept 2004
Frances – Sept 2004
Ivan – Sept 2004
Dennis – Jul 2005
Wilma – Oct 2005 and
Katrina – Aug 2005
No other candidate has experience managing disaster related events in Florida. Having lived in 5 countries, and 7 states in the United States, I have many years working with blue collar and union workers. None of my opposition have experience working with every day workers. I bring to the voters of Alachua County a candidate with a global experience to solve many problems facing every day workers and senior citizens. During the COVID-19 era, and as a problem solvers, my staff and I provided safe, clean and disease/germ free County buildings enabling Alachua County to continue providing government services to citizens throughout the pandemic era. Having served as the Board Chairmen of the award winning Blue Ribbon Caring and Sharing Learning School for the past 20+ years, I am the only candidate with the experience meeting and exceeding educational standards by engaging the whole family concept. I want to bring about a change in how County Government delivers services to all citizens in Alachua County(Republicans, Democratic, nonpartisan and Independents) and no other candidate is willing to reach across the idle and unity the people while improving the quality of life for all people in Alachua County, but I will.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Bringing Americans (Republicans, Democratic, non-partisan and Independent) back into governance.
Campaign website: (None given)
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
Byran Williams
Occupation: Pastor
Age: 68
Family: Wife, five children grown and gone. eight grandchildren.
Education: Santa Fe High School, Santa Fe Collage, and St. Petersburg Collage
Political experience: 20 years experience as Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Commissioner for the City of High Springs.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Affordable Housing: I would support a wide range of housing types, workforce, apartments, townhomes, accessory units, senior housing.
Amendment 3: I would have public education for voters and contingency planning for county finances and services.
Roads and transportation: Prioritizing road maintenance, traffic flow, transit access, and safer connections between communities.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring 20 years of proven government leadership. I have helped manage annual budgets, enact local laws and ordinances, decide rezoning and land-use cases, and appoint key managers and attorneys. That experience matters. It means I understand how government works.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
The People’s Commissioner
Campaign website: byranwilliamscampaign.com
Campaign social media: Facebook