The Gainesville City Commission has three seats open for the August election, but no one filed to run against at-large Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, allowing her to run unopposed.  

The other two seats—the at-large seat held by Commissioner Reina Saco and the District 1 seat held by Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker—both have challengers.  

Michael Perkins is running against Duncan-Walker. James Ingle and Fareed Johnson will oppose each other for the at-large seat after Saco decided not to run again.  

Mainstreet is publishing candidate questionnaire answers as received, with only edits for clarity.   

For more information about the election, visit the Supervisor of Elections website. For a map of the districts, click here.   

Desmon Duncan-Walker for District 1 

Age: 47 

Occupation: Assistant Office Manager  

Website: None  

Previous experience in elected office:      

Gainesville City Commissioner, District 1 (2021 – present)  

Public service other than elected office:  

Miami-Dade County Department of Park & Recreation/Division of Arts & Culture  

• The Women’s Park & Roxcy O’Neal Bolton Women’s History Gallery  

• Former Manager  

 City of Gainesville /Community Redevelopment Agency  

• Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Advisory Board  

• Former Vice Chair  

 City of Gainesville  

• The A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center  

• Former Manager  

 The Gainesville Alliance for Equitable Development  

• Founder  

 Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church  

• Lifetime Member  

• Praise & Worship Leader  

 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  

• Member, Mu Upsilon Omega Chapter (Gainesville, Florida)  

• Former Basileus, Gamma Tau Chapter/Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, Florida)  

What prompted you to run for reelection? 

In my brief time in office, I am proud to have crafted policy that is beginning to meaningfully address critical issues that impact our quality of life such as Gun Violence and Equitable Development. I have also implemented important infrastructure improvements such as the new light and crosswalk on East University Avenue (where 4-year-old Dylan Roberts lost his life) and the now ADA compliant sidewalks in East Gainesville. There is still much to be done. I am seeking reelection to continue advancing these works as well as new Public Health and Safety policy, infrastructure improvements and economic development.    

What’s your perspective on the issues between the City Commission and GRU Authority and the state law creating the new governance? 

The City’s relationship with GRU presents considerable opportunities for discussion and improvement. As the City and GRU Authority vie for power and control of the utility, the City’s divide between “the haves” and the “have nots” is widening and Gainesville is rapidly becoming a place that is unaffordable for many to live. While some residents take solace in the idea of a Referendum being placed on the ballot in the fall in the interest of democracy, others’ concerns boil down solely to being able to pay their utility bills and survive. In such a critical and politically uncertain moment, the issues must be met with diplomacy as diplomacy is about finding common goals to improve quality of life for everyone and working towards those goals together.  

What are the two most important issues facing the City Commission? 

It is impossible to narrow the most important issues facing the City Commission down to just two as many of the myriad issues that we face are of equal significance. I believe the city’s budget, the City Commission’s relationship with the GRU Authority, Gun Violence and Equitable Development (to name a few) are all pressing issues that, if not addressed with intentionality and diplomacy and guided by data, local research and community input will lead to a diminished quality of life for our residents and a Gainesville where disparities grow.  

What do you hope to accomplish as part of the City Commission? 

I hope to continue to advance the Public Safety, Public Health and Equitable Development policies I implemented in my first term and to craft additional policy that responds to the needs of the city’s residents, business owners, employees and the most vulnerable. In addition, I look forward to working with Alachua County to resurface SE 15th Street, to continue additional infrastructure improvements throughout District 1, to continue to support the development of affordable housing, continue the talks I initiated with Hitchcock’s Grocery and others to create a path forward for a grocery store in East Gainesville, to continue my work with healthcare providers to expand primary, mental and dental healthcare access in East Gainesville, to incentivize the economic development of East Gainesville and to attract businesses and industry to the entire city that will grow our tax base.  

What votes from the current City Commission have you disagreed with, if any, and why? 

Separate from the Commission majority, I consistently voted throughout my term not to raise utility rates and taxes. I did so because I did not believe that it was fair for the residents of this city to have to pay for the actions of any Commission that lead to the city’s significant debt. I also voted against raising Commission salaries. I did this—not because I believe the current Commission salary is commensurate to the work—but because I had observed the financial crisis that the city was in, the necessary reorganization of our finance department, the painstaking hours that new finance staff dedicated to addressing the issues, our responsibility to respond to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the findings in the state audit that required us to cut the budget and I concluded that the city could not afford to pay Commissioners more at that time.     

Michael Perkins for District 1 

Age: 66

Occupation: Accountant 

Website: Facebook page 

Previous experience in elected office: 

I have no experience in an elected governmental office. I am Basileus of the Beta Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. I am assistant treasurer for the Alachua County Branch of the NAACP. I am president of my church’s usher ministry (DaySpring Missionary Baptist Church). 

Public service other than elected office: 

I chair both the Economic Development and Labor & Industry committees of the Alachua County Branch of the NAACP. I serve in a food bank ministry (since 2017, Neighborhood House, 501©3, Tax ID 27-3478838; serving approximately 1200 individuals monthly). I serve as a mentor (since 2015, Lamplighters; Beta Pi Charities 501©3, Tax ID 45-3237401, serving kids ages one through 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every second and fourth Saturday of each month). I am an ordained deacon of my church (DaySpring Missionary Baptist Church). I also serve as intercessor, praying for the needs of individuals, our leaders, our Constitutional Officers, our government and global leaders, and issues (6 a.m. every morning). I attend local meetings (School Board of Alachua County, County Commission, City Commission, Children’s Trust of Alachua County) addressing the needs and concerns of our community and citizens.  

What prompted you to run for election? 

I chose to run at this time because I felt the citizens of District 1 needed consistent representation on the dais. It is important to have a representative who is always present and actively involved, accountable and transparent; qualities that are currently unfulfilled. My commitment is demonstrated through my consistent attendance at the county commission, city commission, Children’s Trust, and school board meetings, where I advocate for the needs of our communities. I will bring a fresh perspective that considers all citizens within my district, regardless of their socioeconomic status or lifestyle choices. I will be there for all our citizens! 

What’s your perspective on the issues between the City Commission and GRU Authority and the state law creating the new governance? 

The basis of our Country being established is the fundamental rights of citizens to have a voice in their own governance. I fully support the ballot referendum that returns governance of GRU to the City of Gainesville. My approach to addressing issues with Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) involves supporting the current panel discussion consisting of GRU staff and the City of Gainesville staff. This collaboration is essential in ensuring the profitability of GRU and preventing past issues from resurfacing. I believe in staying the current course, trusting the process, and making adjustments as necessary if and when additional issues arise. By working closely with all stakeholders and continuously monitoring the progress of this joint effort, we can maintain a reliable and efficient utility service for our community. 

What are the two most important issues facing the City Commission? 

The most important issue facing the City Commission is economic development. The main task would be addressing the issue of homes and residences for our ever-growing population. The difficulty is to address the issue with concern for protecting the character of our traditional neighborhoods (e.g. Duck Pond, Pleasant Street), and preserving our tree canopy (with regards to the environment and wildlife). In addition, the development of business and healthcare along the east Gainesville corridor is also a vitally important issue that must be addressed. Finally, I believe the financial soundness of our city budget must be met as aggressively as possible. I believe the present plan of our city manager deserves the support of the City Commission. 

What do you hope to accomplish as part of the City Commission? 

My goal is to bring a sense of unity amongst the city commissioners, the mayor, the city manager, and city staff that puts us in one accord in terms of working for the betterment of the Gainesville community members, employees, and businesses. This includes: 

– Promoting inclusive growth. 

• Community empowerment that promotes economic equity, social justice, and inclusion for all residents. 

-Enhancing community resources. 

• Improving access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and transportation. 

-Supporting economic development. 

• Creating opportunities for small businesses to thrive (especially in respect of east Gainesville). 

• Lending my support for the successful completion of the transformative commercial enterprise and sports complex for the Waldo Road corridor, the Eastside Health and economic development initiative, and new opportunities for local business development spurred by the investment of the city and the community in these projects. 

What votes from the current City Commission have you disagreed with, if any, and why?  

I presently have no substantial issues or disagreements with the current course of our mayor and City Commission. 

James Ingle for at-large seat 

Age: 46  

Occupation: Electrician and president of the local electrician’s union (IBEW local 1205)  

Website: votejamesingle.com 

Public service other than elected office:  

I have served on both the Alachua County Plan Board and the local CareerSource Board. 

What prompted you to run for election? 

I decided to run for office because I am tired of seeing people struggle. Gainesville is a great place to live, but it is a hard place to earn a living. I have spent a large part of my life, as an apprenticeship instructor, a member of CareerSource, and a union organizer, working to make things better for workers and their families. I think that we can do better for working people here and I am looking forward to being part of that change.  

What’s your perspective on the issues between the City Commission and GRU Authority and the state law creating the new governance?  

The GRU Authority bill was introduced at the last minute, with almost no public input, in a basement in Tallahassee, 150 miles away. The original members were not legally allowed to hold their appointed positions and subsequently resigned. Despite knowing they couldn’t legally hold their seats, they still made major policy decisions before their resignations took effect. It is entirely inappropriate for someone to take an appointment to the Authority, use their position to terminate the GRU general manager, and then secure what will likely be the highest-paid position in Gainesville. This process lacked public notice and debate, giving the strong impression that decisions were made secretly, outside of the Sunshine laws. The people of Gainesville will have the chance to vote in a referendum in November about this governance issue, an opportunity they should have had initially. My hope is that we can move past this failed experiment.  

What are the two most important issues facing the City Commission?  

The one that looms largest right now is probably GRU governance. Just because it affects so many other parts of the city, the budget, and the workforce. The uncertainty of trying to plan for the city when critical decisions are made by a board with no accountability whose decisions can change at a moment’s notice is incredibly difficult. The amount of next year’s transfer has changed multiple times just in the few months the board has existed. The second is affordable housing and holding developers accountable to the needs of the people of Gainesville.  

What do you hope to accomplish as part of the City Commission?  

There are many goals I’d like to achieve, but expanding apprenticeship programs in Gainesville is particularly close to my heart. Many local jobs are in retail or service sectors, which often lack long-term career opportunities. Apprenticeships provide alternatives to college, offering training in various trades with no tuition, decent wages, and pathways to solid careers. They also help local businesses meet the demand for a qualified workforce. As a City Commission, we can take several steps to encourage our contractors to use apprenticeships and expand existing local programs.  

What votes from the current City Commission have you disagreed with, if any, and why? One of the biggest missteps was how the push for eliminating single-family zoning was handled. The policy had flaws, but the bigger issue was the way it felt pushed through. We need to reassess our zoning and land use to make necessary adjustments. Development in Gainesville isn’t progressing in the best way, and we could manage it better. These discussions require trust and open dialogue, which was undermined by the way this issue was handled. This has made it harder to address widely acknowledged problems, as people are now afraid to engage in these necessary conversations. 

Fareed Johnson for at-large seat 

Age: 32 

Occupation: Commercial Driver 

Website: electfareed.com 

Previous experience in elected office:  

N/A 

Public service other than elected office: 

U.S. Air Force Air Mobility and Special Operations Commands (Airman), Department of Juvenile Justice (Detention officer), Waste Corporation of America (Residential driver), Mayor’s Community Response Council (Member), GPD Police Advisory Council (Chair/Vice Chair) 

What prompted you to run for election? 

Like most, my journey to being politically active has been a process. I started out only supporting party-line initiatives and ideas, but I realized that we need both sides of the aisle to be successful. After many conversations, I began to understand that many of us have a balanced perspective and a desire for common-sense policies. Our community needs representation. Most importantly, we need sensible representation. What Washington, D.C., or Tallahassee believes is best may not work in Gainesville. I am running to do what is best for Gainesville not New York, not California, and not Texas. 

What’s your perspective on the issues between the City Commission and GRU Authority and the state law creating the new governance? 

My perspective is that before sounding the alarm and firing off lawsuits, we must at least try working together. I see the GRU Authority as a layer of checks and balances. Growing up here in Gainesville, the one thing I’ve consistently heard from the east to the west, among all races and backgrounds, is that GRU is unaffordable. We now have a board tasked with addressing that issue. The Gainesville City Commission has played a huge role in that unaffordability. If the GRU Authority can stabilize rates for the residents of Gainesville and customers of GRU, they will have my support. As a commissioner, I will always advocate for GRU employees and for keeping GRU an award-winning utility service provider. 

What are the two most important issues facing the City Commission? 

If you know Gainesville, then you know we have lost all control of our crime rate. Gun violence has to be addressed. I have worked in and gone through the criminal justice system, and I have both an interest and a duty to address this issue. Second, our housing inventory must be improved. The current housing crisis is more than a supply issue; it is a supply and demand issue. Addressing our local housing shortage will require innovative solutions that work with both individuals and corporations to build housing, especially single-family homes. 

What do you hope to accomplish as part of the City Commission? 

As a member of the commission, I will bring a youthful and sensible outlook to resolve our most troublesome issues. Many of the issues we are facing have a significant impact on individuals age 40 and under. Crime, housing, and a dwindling workforce are creating pressure in other areas such as mental health. City debt and property taxes are impacting everyone. I will be the commissioner who listens rather than tells the citizens what they need. Providing individuals with the tools they need is important to me. Information and opportunity are the two most consistent ingredients in prosperity, and that is all that many of our citizens are asking for. We must deliver. 

What votes from the current City Commission have you disagreed with, if any, and why?  

Gun Violence Summit – The gun violence problem in Gainesville is occurring and growing out in the community. The solution must be taken to the source of the problem. I strongly disagreed with hosting a summit at the Hilton. The ARPA funds used on the event should have been used to address evidence-based causes.  

Charter officer raises – our charter officers are some of our highest paid city employees. Our city commission knew we were experiencing tough financial times but passed charter officer raises without a plan to give those at the bottom raises. Fast forward, there is now a conversation to cut positions from essential departments.