Gainesville residents will elect a mayor and two city commissioners this year. All are non-partisan elections. All Gainesville voters will have the mayoral election on their August ballots. Commission races in Districts 2 and 3 will appear only on the ballots of voters in those districts. The District 2 incumbent is not seeking re-election this year and it is an open seat, while the District 3 commissioner is seeking another term. The commissioner in District 4, Bryan Eastman, was unopposed and is re-elected as a result. With three candidates running in each of the two district races, if no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the general election in November.
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 and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| MAYORAL CANDIDATES |
Evan Morgan Moon
Occupation: I work in the Deli at Walmart
Age: 38
Family: Charmie (wife)
Education: Some college, Santa Fe, FGCU, Historiology
Political experience: Politics is my hobby
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Establish a fairground the city as a whole can be proud of. If we are going to tax people, let’s give them something to show for it! This will help establish Community, and speed up our slow season which has been horrible for working people. The city funds other projects which are very nice. Here is a priority.
Housing that is ACTUALLY Affordable. Live Local, Strategic Restructuring, partnered by a cultural shift in leadership will assist in this. We need new housing, but an ounce of maintenance is worth a pound in restoration. We need both. Rising insurance costs paired with increasing taxes disrupt a delicate eco system.
Transportation that is reliable, effective, accessible. Providing basic services like this, going forward, will be doubly defined as essential. If we can support our working people, dignify ourselves, we can move then to our homeless. If we don’t, homelessness will increase, and funds for them will dry up further.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am very powerful. If you care, you too will be empowered. Most people feel powerless. This doesn’t breed community. Look, most people don’t like politicians. Not all politicians are the same. You have a choice - this time.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I don’t think about that, but I will be known for going against state overreach very soon.
Campaign website: TBA
Campaign social media: Facebook
Harvey Ward, Jr.
Occupation: I am currently Mayor of Gainesville, but my previous career was in non-profit management and fundraising.
Age: 58
Family: My wife and I have three daughters.
Education: I’m a graduate of Eastside High, Santa Fe College and the University of Florida.
Political experience: I served two terms as a Gainesville City Commissioner and am currently serving in my first term as Mayor.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Public safety, both as it relates to crime and to traffic safety, and access to affordable homes. We have delivered less gun violence and fewer injuries and deaths on our streets, and we will keep doing what has worked and continue to listen to the community about how to our city even more safe. We have delivered more than 800 new affordable homes over the past four years, and we will continue to prioritize more affordable homes in the next term.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
My experience at City Hall and a lifetime of living, working and raising a family in our community sets me apart in knowing where our issues and our opportunities lie, and my experience working with other mayors across the world through the Bloomberg Center for Cities, the US Conference of Mayors and the Democratic Mayors Association gives me a wealth of support and connections that benefits our neighbors here at home.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Gainesville has more than doubled in size since I was a child, and as a community of more than 150,000 neighbors, we are no longer a sleepy college town, but a mid-size university city. I hope to be remembered as having helped move our city through some growing pains in a way that helps everyone who chooses to call Gainesville home thrive.
Campaign website: wardformayor.com
Campaign social media: (None given)
| DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATES |
Nathan Crabbe
Occupation: I am a longtime journalist who is currently editor of The Invading Sea, a website with news and commentary on climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida. I previously spent more than 17 years as an editor and reporter for The Gainesville Sun newspaper, including nearly 10 years as opinion editor.
Age: 50
Family: My wife Colleen is a nurse practitioner in Gainesville and we have two children, ages 14 and 11, who attend public schools here.
Education: I earned a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Political experience: I have no previous political experience. As a journalist, I kept out of politics to remain objective when writing about the major challenges facing Gainesville. I’m now running for office to play a greater part in helping to solve these problems.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1) Affordability: I support programs to improve energy efficiency in homes and reduce utility bills. I want to increase access to starter housing for young members of our workforce as well as housing for seniors who want to be able to age in place.
2) Environment: Gainesville needs to demand responsible development and protect green spaces in our neighborhoods that lower temperatures and improve our quality of life. I support having accessible parks, connected trails and walkable neighborhoods.
3) Infrastructure: Our community should have well-maintained roads that are safe for everyone. I support having resilient infrastructure and using nature-based solutions to reduce flooding and improve water quality.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have spent my journalism career helping people better understand government, holding elected officials accountable and providing platforms for people to express a diversity of opinions. These experiences would inform my approach to being a city commissioner. I would help my constituents navigate local government and ensure that it is responsive to their needs. I would listen to the concerns of a wide range of residents when considering issues before the commission and then be transparent in explaining my decisions.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I want to be remembered as someone who protected what makes Gainesville special while better preparing our community for the future. We face fiscal, environmental and social challenges. Local government needs to spend wisely, plan responsibly and strengthen local institutions that help residents who struggle.
Campaign website: nathancrabbe.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
Nelida Jean-Baptiste Pellot
Occupation: Public Housing Inspector
Age: 40
Family: I was never able to have children but I have a dog! She’s pretty cool and keeps me safe :)
Education: I achieved my Associates in Arts for Mass Media but I was completing my Bachelors which I am trying to get back to in Sociology. I’m not sure if that the track that I will continue when I return to school because it has sadly been gutted.
Political experience: I worked on many campaigns, including trying to restore voting rights for formerly incarcerated folks. Pushes to expand Medicaid in Florida, Planned Parenthood and voter outreach including voter outreach for the Joe Biden Campaign in South Florida.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
First, housing. As someone who works in affordable housing every day, I see firsthand the challenges families face. Housing isn’t just about having a roof over your head. It is much more than that, it’s about stability, health, education, and opportunity. We need to increase the supply of housing across all income levels ensure that those income levels can afford it, preserve existing affordable homes, modernize our land use policies, and make sure growth benefits the people who already call Gainesville home.
Second, the affordability crisis. Too many Gainesville residents are being asked to do more with less. Rising property taxes, utility bills, insurance costs, and everyday expenses are making it harder for working families, seniors, students, and small business owners to stay in the city they love. We need to make every taxpayer dollar count, look for efficiencies before asking residents to pay more, and pursue economic growth that expands our tax base instead of placing a greater burden on the people who are already here.
Third, restoring trust in local government. Too many residents feel like decisions are made without them instead of with them. I believe Gainesville City Hall should be accessible, transparent, and responsive. That means meeting people where they are, communicating clearly, and making sure residents have meaningful opportunities to shape the decisions that affect their neighborhoods. This means making choices AFTER public input, not before and performatively placing meetings ”open to the public" despite scheduling it during the work day where the most affected are often unable to attend or speak up and speak out.
At the heart of all three issues is the same principle: government should work for everyone, we work for you. It’s not just those with the loudest voices or the deepest pockets. My campaign has always been about being boots on the ground, listening first, and bringing practical, community driven solutions to Gainesville City Hall.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
What I bring to this role is a combination of lived experience and professional experience that is uncommon.
I don’t just talk about housing. I work in it every day. I inspect homes, work alongside residents, navigate HUD regulations, and see firsthand where government policies succeed and where they fall short. That means when we’re discussing housing, neighborhood investment, or quality of life, I’m bringing practical experience, not just theory.
I’m also not a career politician. My campaign has been built by knocking on doors, having conversations, and listening to people where they live. That’s why you’ve heard me say “”boots on the ground.“” I believe the best policies come from the people who experience our city every day, not just from those who attend meetings.
Finally, my life has taught me resilience. I’ve experienced housing insecurity, rebuilt after hardship, and dedicated my career to serving others. Those experiences have shaped how I lead. I lead with my heart, with empathy, accountability, and a deep understanding that every decision we make at City Hall affects a real person trying to build a better life.
I can’t promise to have every answer, but I can promise this: I will show up, I will listen, and I will make decisions based on what is best for the people of Gainesville not politics.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
If I’m fortunate enough to serve my people, I hope I won’t be remembered for a single vote or a single project. I hope they’ll remember that Gainesville became a city where more people could afford to live, where residents felt heard, and where local government earned back their trust.
I want to be remembered for helping tackle our affordability crisis and exacting that change, expanding housing options especially for disenfranchised folks, being a careful steward of taxpayer dollars, and making it easier for working families, seniors, and young people to build a future here.
I also hope people will remember that I changed how we engage with our community. That I showed up, listened before making decisions, and made City Hall feel more accessible and accountable to the people it serves.
At the end of my time in office, if a resident can honestly say, ”My commissioner listened, cared, and left Gainesville better than they found it,“ then I’ll consider my service a roaring success.
Campaign website: www.nelida4gainesville.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Wyatt Clark Zintiz
Occupation: Small Business Owner - All Electric Landscape Maintenance Company called Gruntscaper.
Age: 38
Family: Wife (Ashley), 2 Children (Leonidas: 2.5 Yrs & Zenaida 1.5 Yrs), & 2 Cats (Minny & Gordy)
Education: B.A. in Political Science from University of Central Florida
Political experience: None
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Affordability: Inflation and the affordable housing crisis are national issues, but the decisions made by local elected leaders can either help or hurt the people they represent. One of the greatest impacts Commissioners can have on affordability for residents is through property tax rates, and after several years of raising them it’s past time to put a stop to any further increases. The people of Gainesville have been taxed enough, and as District 2 Commissioner I will aggressively fight against any further burdening of our community. Our government must strive to do more with less just like the people they serve are already doing in these difficult times. By eliminating administrative waste and redundancies, the City Commission can still provide core services like public safety and infrastructure maintenance without forcing working people to pay more. When so many of us are struggling to make ends meet, the last thing we need from our local government is another tax bill.
Mismanagement: The Gainesville City Commission has a history of poor decision making and mismanagement of public resources. As a former Public Works leader for the City of Gainesville I know where much of the waste, fraud, and abuse lies within our government. If elected I will work swiftly to build consensus on the removal of wasteful redundancies, realign executive salaries more closely with state averages, and identify ways to increase operational efficiency. I’ll advocate for the Commission to end expensive programs like the Downtown Ambassadors, which has done nothing but funnel 3 million dollars of Gainesville tax money to a private company from Kentucky. I will also push for a government spending transparency portal that shows the public in real time how their tax dollars are being spent, so that Gainesville can start to regain confidence in the City Commission. Because Gainesville deserves to know how their hard-earned money is being allocated, and that the people in charge are making sure it is spent efficiently.
GRU Authority: Tied to the City Commission’s history of mismanagement and their worsening of affordability for its citizens is the whole Gainesville Regional Utilities debacle. Currently, the State of Florida has preempted or taken over control of the utility, and the body created to oversee operations, the GRU Authority, will remain in place. While I personally believe local control and oversight is usually the best way to govern, the Gainesville City Commission holds much of the responsibility for getting us into this mess. Now that the GRUA’s control has been codified the best course of action for the City Commission is to find a way to collaborate and find common ground with the Authority rather than continuing to fight for control of a utility whose outcome has already been decided. As an independent commissioner and a GRU customer my focus will be entirely on stabilizing rates for consumers and getting them the best utility service at the lowest possible price.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
My experience as a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps and my years of service as a labor crew leader in the Public Works department have given me the knowledge and proficiency needed to hit the ground running once sworn in as District 2 Commissioner. The people of Gainesville deserve a commissioner who knows how to lead others and how large, complex governmental organizations operate. That’s exactly what I have done for over a decade. By contrast, my opponents lack the practical, inside knowledge of our city’s operational structure. We simply don’t have time for on-the-job-training at City Hall during these fiscally tenuous times.
Working families in the Northwest of Gainesville need one of their own to represent them on the City Commission. I was raised in Gainesville, grew up in the Northwest, and have now started my own family right here in this beautiful piece of Old Florida. I know first-hand how rising costs and increased taxes have brought those of us who work hard and play by the rules to the brink. Now the voters of District 2 have a chance to elect an independent candidate that shares in their struggles and can bring that perspective to their local government.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered for helping the Gainesville City Commission to regain the trust of the people it serves after decades of mismanagement and poor decision making. By leading from the front and building a consensus with commissioners around transparency and fiscal responsibility, and refocusing on the essential duties of local government the Commission can build a brighter future for the people of Gainesville. Ultimately, I hope to be remembered for leaving Gainesville with a balanced budget, a fully transparent spending portal, and stabilized local tax rates that allow working families to thrive here for generations.
Campaign website: wyattzintiz.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
| DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES |
DeJeon Cain
Campaign website: cainforgainesville.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
This 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.
James Gardner
Campaign website: www.imforjamesgardneringnv.com
Campaign social media: None found
This 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.
Casey Willits
Campaign website: caseyforcommission.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
This 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.