As District 2 County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler will not seek re-election, four Democratic candidates are competing for their first term on the Alachua County Commission and spoke with The Sun about their campaigns, priorities, policy proposals and reasons for running.
All county commissioners will once again be elected by registered voters countywide after the First District Court of Appeal on Oct. 15, 2025, overturned an Alachua County judge’s ruling that a ballot measure on single-member districts in November 2024 was “unlawful” and in violation of state statute.
The November 2024 referendum to revert back from single-member districts passed with more than 70% of the vote. Under that model, only voters living in a particular district could vote for that district’s commissioner.
The measure creating single-member districts in Alachua County was created after House Bill 1493 was filed by then-state House Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, and later signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. It passed in November 2022 with about 51.5% of the popular vote.
Voters will decide the District 2 race on Aug. 18.
Donna Bradbrook
Donna Bradbrook brings more than 35 years of local government experience, including 20 years with Alachua County, while holding a Master of Business Administration with coursework in public administration and human resources. Speaking with The Sun on July 1, Bradbrook said she has played a significant role in helping county government operate effectively.
On her campaign website, Bradbrook highlights her experience coordinating the state-required audit for the Alachua County Infrastructure Surtax Referendum, conducting operational audits for the Board of County Commissioners, and earning the International City/County Management Association’s Certificate in Performance Management.
Bradbrook said she had not planned to run against Wheeler but entered the race after Wheeler announced she would not seek re-election. She described the campaign as a “one-and-done” effort unless she becomes the incumbent.
“I always felt that the government closest to the people is best,”Bradbrook said. “So when we’re talking about where we are going to place parks or which roadways are going to paved and not paved, I think those should be local decisions so the people that it affects, the citizens of Alachua County, should be making those decisions directly or indirectly through those people they elect.”
Running on a platform emphasizing local control and home rule, Bradbrook said one of the biggest issues on the campaign trail is the proposed state property tax amendment.
The amendment, approved by the Legislature on June 2, will appear on the November 2026 ballot. If approved by at least 60% of voters, it would significantly reduce property taxes across municipalities.
The proposal would increase the homestead exemption on county property taxes to $150,000 on Jan. 1, 2027, and $250,000 on Jan. 1, 2028. It would also reduce the annual assessment increase cap for non-homesteaded residential and non-residential properties from 10% to 5%.
Bradbrook called the proposal a major concern, saying it could reduce county general fund revenue by $30 million to $45 million and jeopardize services residents depend on.
She said smaller cities such as High Springs, Waldo and LaCrosse could face significant challenges if the measure passes.
“That is small municipalities that have a lot of thread in those fabrics that hold them together, that is their culture. High Springs citizens have fought tooth and nail to retain their police and fire services,” Bradbrook said. “With a bill like this going in, I don’t know if they’re going to continue that.”
Bradbrook said if cities dissolve their incorporated status, the county would have to absorb those services, potentially without the resources to maintain existing standards.
She also identified environmental issues and affordability as major concerns and said she wants to improve county services, including road maintenance and access to drinking water.
Tina Certain
After serving eight years on the Alachua County School Board, Tina Certain told The Sun on June 30 that she had not planned to run until Wheeler decided against seeking another term.
Certain previously worked for Gainesville Regional Utilities for more than 23 years as a certified management accountant and has served in leadership roles with the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, the United Way Community Investment Committee, and local planning boards.
Her statewide leadership experience includes serving as president, president-elect and treasurer of the Florida School Boards Association, according to her campaign website.
A lifelong Alachua County resident, Certain said she believes she can make a broader impact as a county commissioner.
“I have a lot of respect for her alongside the other commissioners,” Certain said of Wheeler. “I would not have challenged her as an incumbent out of the respect of the work she’s done,” Certain said.
Certain said her experience on the School Board exposed her to challenges outside education, including housing insecurity, affordability, transportation, food access and health care.
“I started to see some of the challenges that students were experiencing that were impeding their learning. Some of those things were not under the direct purview (of the education system),” Certain said. “… I could have a broader impact under the County Commission.”
On her website, Certain says budgets reflect a community’s values and that she supports oversight of taxpayer dollars, public accountability and funding tied to measurable outcomes.
“Fiscal responsibility is not about slogans. It is about making smart choices, protecting core services, and getting results,” Certain said on her website.
Addressing affordability, Certain said housing has reached near-crisis levels. She noted nearly 1,000 students in the district were identified as homeless under the federal McKinney-Vento Act at the end of the last school year.
“The superintendent estimates that number is probably twice as many,” Certain said.
Certain supports expanding affordable housing, improving transportation options, promoting living-wage jobs and increasing economic opportunity.
She also said she would advocate for youth programs, public health initiatives, parks and recreation opportunities and policies that strengthen children and families.
Charlie Jackson
Charlie Jackson, who lost to Wheeler in the 2022 Democratic primary, told The Sun on July 31 that he is running again because he cares about Alachua County and its future.
Jackson said he believes he is the only candidate in the race focused on bringing meaningful change while protecting taxpayers, improving public safety and supporting residents.
“I would use all of my global experience to bring change to Alachua County. I’m the only candidate that wants to make change. My opponents want to remain the same. I feel we must make change,” Jackson said.
After graduating from Florida A&M University with a degree in industrial technology in 1979, Jackson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
According to his campaign website, he spent 17 years in military service, earning a Bronze Star Medal during the Gulf War and retiring with the rank of major in 1996.
Following his military service, Jackson worked in both the private and public sectors.
As director of operations for a national facilities management company, he oversaw services for more than 400 FedEx facilities across 26 states.
Jackson later served as director of facilities for Alachua County, overseeing more than 300 capital projects valued at more than $140 million and supervising more than 60 employees.
In 2022, The Sun reported that Jackson was fired as the facilities director by county government amid complaints from employees he oversaw, but Jackson has denied any wrongdoing. A discrimination lawsuit filed by Jackson against the county is currently in the hands of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Jackson’s priorities include supporting veterans, caregivers and first responders, creating jobs, expanding public transportation and promoting balanced growth throughout the county.
“I would like to connect the public transportation system throughout the entire county so that we can provide public transportation to the rural areas like in Archer,” Jackson said.
He also emphasized safer roads, reducing gun violence, youth and senior activity centers, responsible spending and eliminating nonessential government services.
“We need to bring everyone to the table. Let’s build what we believe Alachua County can look like in the next five, 10, 20 years,” Jackson said. “I’m willing to make change. That’s my motto, making change happen.”
Byran Williams
Bryan Williams, a lifelong Alachua County resident, has more than 20 years of experience serving as mayor, vice mayor and city commissioner in High Springs.
Williams describes himself on his campaign website as a veteran, small business owner, pastor and father who believes in hard work, fairness and community service.
“When I was commissioner here in High Springs — this board now is decent but in the past I’ve seen how they treated the smallest cities — I always wanted to make sure the smallest cities have a voice,” Williams said.
Williams told The Sun on July 27 that he is running for county commissioner to promote job growth, affordable housing, stronger relationships between local governments and youth development.
If elected, Williams said he would seek to build a coalition that includes Alachua County, its municipalities, Alachua County Public Schools, the University of Florida and faith-based organizations. He said that spirit of unity and collaboration would help foster responsible growth and greater transparency throughout the region.
Williams argued that stronger communication between the county, school board and city of Gainesville may have helped prevent some recent school closures.
On March 12, The Sun reported the School District would close three schools in the district as part of a districtwide rezoning plan.
Emphasizing youth development, Williams said he wants to create programs that help young people build skills, confidence and opportunities to become contributing members of society.
Williams also said he wants to ensure growth is managed in a way that distributes economic benefits, opportunities and resources equitably throughout the county.
“I want to bring a voice of reason and equality, a voice of integrity because the people in the county deserve a county commissioner that has experience and someone they can trust. The one that will be the people’s commissioner,” Williams said.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Meet the candidates for Alachua County Commission District 2
Reporting by Elliot Tritto, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Elliot Tritto, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
