City Commissioner David Arreola announced his reelection campaign with a video on social media Monday.
Arreola said in an interview that he is running for a second two-and-a-half-year term to continue his “life’s work” of using government to solve problems and improve the quality of life in Gainesville.
He plans to prioritize issues of transportation, public health and the environment.
“We have work to finish,” Arreola said. “We’re trying to create a concept — a conceptual framework — for what a new American city should look like.”
The District 3 incumbent and Gainesville native is currently serving his first term on the board, he said. As of Monday, there is no one else filed with the city to run for District 3.
At-large and District 2 seats are also in the running, according to the City of Gainesville website.
The City Commission election is March 17, and only registered voters living in Arreola’s district can vote for him to stay in office.
Arreola said he also hopes to correct the city’s, county’s and UF’s dark history.
“There is a legacy of institutionalized socio-economic segregation,” he said. “And for the first time, I think in a long time, we have begun to lay a new foundation.”
Arreola is hosting a campaign kickoff Friday at 6 p.m. at Blackadder Brewing Company, at 618 NW 60th St., he said.
Gainesville resident Wallace Mazon, 25, plans to vote in the upcoming election. He said he is looking for candidates with a vision for growth and a focus on policies such as economic development in East Gainesville.
Mazon worked on Arreola’s first-term campaign and hopes the commissioner will continue to listen to constituents while enforcing policies, he said.
“I just hope he has the opportunity to do all the things that he wants to do by the end of his second term if he’s reelected,” Mazon said.
Adrian Hayes-Santos shakes City Commissioner David Arreola’s hand Tuesday during Hayes-Santos and Lauren Poe’s watch party at the Public and General restaurant. Hayes-Santos beat Robert Mounts to become Gainesville city commissioner for District 4.
