Democratic candidate Anna Prizzia has secured a second term on the Alachua County Commission, District 3, after running once again on issues related to environmental protection, social justice and local business development. A few of her specific goals include implementing water quality protection policies, affordable housing and workforce training programs.
Four years ago, Prizzia won the same seat running on a campaign centered around environmental conservation, food security and affordable housing.
Prior to running for election in 2020, Prizzia served in a number of roles at UF, including director of the Office of Sustainability and coordinator of UF’s Field and Fork food pantry, a role she has continued to fill since her 2020 election.
Her opponent and first-time political candidate, Jenn Garrett, whose background is in architectural history, ran on a campaign centered around transportation infrastructure, pro-business policies and public safety. Some of her goals include fostering collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation, attracting new businesses and investing in law enforcement.
While Prizzia did run as the incumbent, this year’s election was different from her first.
In 2020, voters in any part of Alachua County could vote for whichever candidate they supported in an at-large system. In 2022, however, Alachua voters narrowly approved switching county commission races to a single-member district model, meaning voters can only cast their ballots for candidates running for their district. As such, Prizzia no longer had access to many of the Gainesville voters who had supported her in the last election for this year’s race.
For the next four years, Prizzia said she plans to continue as she has for the last.
“My main plan is to stick with what I’ve been doing so far, which is about listening, collaborating and trying to find sort of solutions to root causes of our challenging problems,” Prizzia said.
Charlie Flournoy, a 76-year-old Gainesville resident, said he voted for Prizzia because of her efforts to support low-income housing.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s time to remove her,” Flournoy said. “The other person did not really impress me.”
Melissa Desa, a 45-year-old Gainesville resident, said she voted for Prizzia because “I just totally support all the policies she puts forward.”
She noted environment, food systems and housing as especially important.
Republican Jenn Garrett did not respond to requests for comment.
With Prizzia’s victory, District 3 remains with the Democrats. With Mary Alford’s victory, the Alachua County Commission remains fully controlled by Democrats.
Contact Avery Parker at aparker@alligator.org. Follow him on X @AveryParke98398.
Avery Parker is a third-year English and History major covering university affairs for The Alligator. Outside of reporting, Avery spends his time doting on his cats, reading, and listening to music by the Manwolves.
