July 28, 2026, 10:03 a.m. ET
- Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward is running for a second term against opponent Evan Morgan Moon.
- Ward cites increased stability at City Hall and progress on public safety as key first-term accomplishments.
- Ward’s priorities for a second term include expanding economic development and continuing to improve public safety.
Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward is seeking a second term, pointing to increased stability at City Hall, progress on public safety and economic development, and ongoing efforts to restore local control of Gainesville Regional Utilities.
Speaking with The Sun by phone on July 20, Ward said he is running for reelection to continue the work his administration has begun and provide another four years of steady leadership for Gainesville.
His opponent in the upcoming race is Evan Morgan Moon.
Before he became mayor in 2023, Ward noted that nearly all of Gainesville’s charter officer positions were being filled on an interim basis. Today, he said, the city has brought stability to its leadership team, with Interim City Manager Andrew Persons serving as the lone interim charter officer following the retirement of former City Manager Cynthia Curry.
Ward credited Curry and Persons with helping ensure a smooth leadership transition and praised the work of his fellow city commissioners during his first term.
Describing his time as mayor as both rewarding and emotional, Ward said the position extends well beyond City Hall.
“I don’t stop being mayor when I go to Publix. I don’t stop being mayor when I’m at Lowe’s or at the park or the theater. Wherever I go, people want to talk about Gainesville,” Ward said.
The former executive director of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Foundation and former WUFT-TV/FM staff member said he feels fortunate to serve the community and wants the opportunity to finish initiatives already underway.
Ward said his administration has achieved significant accomplishments despite challenges that he said have largely originated from state government.
Among those challenges is the ongoing dispute over Gainesville Regional Utilities governance.
In 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1645, removing the Gainesville City Commission’s control of GRU and creating a five-member governor-appointed authority board to oversee the utility. Since then, Gainesville voters have twice approved charter amendments by margins exceeding 70% aimed at eliminating the GRU Authority and returning local control of the utility to the city.
However, the future of the authority remains uncertain as the legal battle continues before the First District Court of Appeal.
“Seventy-five percent of Gainesville voters don’t like the way our utilities are governed right now, and that has been the biggest challenge, financially and otherwise, at City Hall during this first term,” Ward said. “It’s helped me learn how to keep getting great work done for the city of Gainesville and delivering for the people who hired me while fighting back against some crazy stuff from the state government.”
Despite those challenges, Ward said he is most proud of the city’s progress in reducing violent crime, expanding affordable housing initiatives and improving public safety infrastructure.
He highlighted construction efforts on two new fire stations and continued implementation of Vision Zero, the city’s initiative to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2040.
Ward said the city has seen measurable improvements in pedestrian and cyclist safety since he took office but acknowledged more work remains.
“The numbers have changed dramatically. I’m looking at the whiteboard in my office and in 2021, there were 12 cyclists or pedestrians who were killed on the streets of Gainesville. Last year, there were five, so we’ve made real progress,” Ward said. “But the work is still not done.”
Another accomplishment Ward cited is the Eastside Health and Economic Development Initiative, known as EHEDI, a long-term effort aimed at expanding economic opportunity and health care access in east Gainesville.
The initiative helped bring the UF Health Urgent Care Center to east Gainesville in 2024 and includes plans for a regional transit hub, grocery store, commercial space and a mix of affordable and market-rate housing.
Ward also pointed to the ongoing Streatery project as an example of economic development efforts downtown.
Stretching along Southwest First Avenue from Southwest Second Street to South Main Street, city staff said in previous commission meetings it would improve the physical condition of the 125-year-old road, while adding overhead string lighting, new plantings, enhanced tree canopies and improved stormwater drainage and boosting foot traffic for nearby businesses.
City staff project the work will be completed around the time of the Florida Gators’ first home football game on Sept. 5, ahead of the annual Fest music festival beginning Oct. 23.
Ward said expanding economic development across Gainesville remains one of his top priorities for a second term. He said he hopes to build on the progress made during his first term while continuing to address issues ranging from utility governance and public safety to affordable housing and economic growth.
“We need more jobs here. We need more good jobs. We to need to increase our tax base. That is all about economic development and that is a place I really want to put my focus on over the next four years,” Ward said.
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