Gainesville Resident Melia Speed Spotlights Local Black Leaders wuft.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wuft.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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.