The Gainesville City Commission District 1 race pits two people who grew up in the historically African-American east side of town who have ideas for improving the area.
Incumbent Gigi Simmons and challenger Desmon Duncan-Walker both say East Gainesville hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves from city leaders over the years.
Simmons, elected to the commission in 2018, grew up in the Porters community.
Simmons said that area sorely needs health care facilities, affordable housing, new companies that diversify the economy and community policing.
If reelected, she said, she would continue to push the city to provide better infrastructure to East Gainesville including things like wastewater service, road improvements, sidewalks and street lighting.
District 1
Gigi Simmons
Simmons hails from the historic African-American community of Porters, located between downtown Gainesville and the University of Florida. Elected to the city commission in 2018, Simmons serves on the Library Governing Board, the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council and the Alachua County League of Cities.
Speaking in a recently released campaign video, Simmons tells Gainesville residents, “I want you all to know that your voice and your vote matter. Together, we’re stronger; together, we can make a difference.”
In 2018, Simmons defeated Charles Goston by recieving 59.97% of the District 1 vote. If reelected, Simmons would break a nine-year streak of single-term commissioners in District 1. Scherwin Henry was the last commissioner in that district to earn approval from voters to serve two terms, from 2006 to 2012.