Ballot finalized for Alachua County Commission and School Board races

Alachua County’s candidate qualifying deadline has closed, finalizing the ballot for its August 18 primary elections. The county, which includes Gainesville and the University of Florida, will decide races for County Commission and School Board seats. In **County Commission District 2**, incumbent **Marihelen Wheeler** is stepping down after two terms, leaving an open race with four Democratic candidates: **Donna Bradbrook**, **Tina Certain**, **Charlie Jackson**, and **Bryan Williams**. Republican **Robert Woody**, previously the Alachua County Jail Director and recently appointed to the **Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees** by Governor **Ron DeSantis**, withdrew before the deadline. The primary will determine the winner since only Democrats remain on the ballot. Bradbrook emphasizes smart growth, environmental protection, and public safety, while Certain, currently a School Board member, is leaving her seat to run. Jackson, an Army veteran, previously lost to Wheeler in the 2022 Democratic Primary but is running again. Williams, a veteran and small-business owner, has served as Mayor and City Commissioner in High Springs. Fundraising reports show Bradbrook leading with $26,905, including $25,000 from her own funds. Certain has raised $17,115 from over 200 donors, while Jackson and Williams report $8,520 and $2,349, respectively. District 2 covers northwest Alachua County, including Alachua, High Springs, and part of Newberry. In **County Commission District 4**, incumbent **Ken Cornell** faces a no-party candidate, **Dewayne Baines**, in his bid for a fourth term. Cornell has raised $107,000, significantly outpacing Baines’ $700. Republican **Van Elmore** withdrew in June after failing to qualify financially. For the **School Board**, District 1’s race is open due to Certain’s run for Commission. Candidates include **Gabriel Lopez**, a former kindergarten teacher who claims wrongful termination, **Hunter Miller**, a math teacher advocating for teacher retention and literacy programs, and **Janine Plavac**, appointed by DeSantis in 2025 to fill a vacancy in District 5 but now running in District 1. Plavac has raised $4,960, mostly self-funded, while Miller and Lopez report $4,057 and $2,540, respectively. The top two candidates will advance to a November runoff unless one secures over 50% of the vote. District 3 features incumbent **Sarah Rockwell** defending her seat against challenger **Gregory Pelham**. Rockwell faced a state reprimand in 2025 for a Facebook post following the death of wrestler **Hulk Hogan**, writing, ‘Oh, did Hulk die? I didn’t even know. Good. One less MAGA in the world.’ Pelham, a case manager, is seeking the seat in the August primary. All School Board races in Florida are officially nonpartisan.